Why Don't Homeless People Build Slums Instead of Sleeping on the Streets?
The idea of homeless individuals building a slum or informal settlement instead of sleeping on the streets is complex and influenced by various factors. This article explores the challenges faced by those who are homeless in trying to improve their living conditions through building slums.
Legal Barriers and Resource Limitations
Many cities have laws against squatting or establishing makeshift shelters. Enforcing these laws often leads to the eviction of homeless individuals from areas where they might attempt to build a community. Additionally, building a structure, even a temporary one, requires resources such as materials, tools, and labor. Homeless individuals often lack access to these essential resources, further complicating their efforts.
Social Stigma and Safety Concerns
There is significant stigma associated with homelessness, which can discourage individuals from forming visible communities. Fear of judgment or harassment can lead people to prefer less visible situations, such as sleeping in cars or on streets. Safety concerns are also a major issue; streets can be dangerous places with the risk of violence, theft, or other hazards, making communal living in informal settlements risky.
Transient Lifestyle and Lack of Support
Many homeless individuals live a transient lifestyle, moving frequently due to various reasons, including the search for work, safety, or better resources. This frequent relocation makes it challenging to establish a permanent or semi-permanent community. Furthermore, support systems such as social services, shelters, and community organizations may be inadequate. Without access to these supports, individuals find it difficult to achieve stability let alone build a community.
Health and Mental Health Issues
Many individuals experiencing homelessness also face health issues, including mental health challenges, which can affect their ability to organize and maintain a community. These health issues can be a significant barrier to the formation and sustainability of informal settlements.
Case Studies: Cabrini Green
It is often said, 'True fact: Only the rich can build slums.' This statement is further exemplified by the tragic case of Cabrini Green in Chicago. What was once meant to be a shining example of affordable housing, Cabrini Green cost millions of dollars, which would translate to billions today. However, due to poor maintenance and management, the complex was torn down less than 50 years later. High rises that were supposed to provide safe and secure living conditions became what many described as a slum, just as bad as, if not worse than, living in a tent or a car.
The story of Cabrini Green serves as a cautionary tale. It highlights the difficulties in providing adequate housing not just in the form of modern, high-rise structures, but in any form that does not address the underlying social, economic, and environmental challenges faced by homeless individuals.
Conclusion
While some individuals do create informal settlements in certain areas, the factors mentioned above can significantly limit the feasibility and sustainability of such communities. The challenges of legal barriers, resource limitations, social stigma, safety concerns, transient lifestyles, and inadequate support systems are complex and deeply rooted. Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive approach, involving policymakers, urban planners, and community leaders to create sustainable solutions for those experiencing homelessness.
It is crucial to remember that the development of sustainable solutions goes beyond merely providing shelter; it includes addressing the broader social, economic, and environmental challenges that contribute to homelessness.