Sioux Falls' Homelessness

This week I had three meetings concerning the neighborhood.  At the first meeting, it was apparent that interest has waned because attendance was down.  The Homeless Coalition is asking for help in conducting their surveys.  They understand they haven't realized the full extent of the homeless issue due to the number of alternative "homes" where these people reside.  They may double up with family, or stay in a garage or find a hallway...  It is difficult to find these people because as a rule, they lack trust and are suspicious of those trying to help.  As a side note: Although the mentally ill and those with substance abuse problems are part of the homeless population, they are a lessor percentage of the homeless population than they are of those with homes.  The main reason for homelessness is lack of affordable housing.

Cultural issues also fall into play.  We are so used to our white ways, insulated from other cultures' values that it is difficult to comprehend their way of life.  While we identify our main family as mom, dad and any children, other cultures recognize cousins, second and third cousins once removed, etc. as their main family.  Would you refuse your mom shelter?  Never.  Neither would they deny their family shelter.  It is simply unheard of.  Yet, it is for this reason that our current housing programs evict people from the housing they so desperately need.

Sioux Falls Housing's waiting list is thousands deep and 2 and 1/2 years out.  HUD's waiting list is only 2-6 months out.  However, the HUD person at the meeting said that the reason most people are evicted from HUD housing is due to their allowing other family members to reside there.  So, the homeless stay with those who qualify for housing, who are then evicted and join the homeless ranks for violating their HUD agreement.  

It is issues such as this that concern the revitalization task force.  Years ago - perhaps during the depression to save and/or make money, people turned their large homes into boarding houses.  During the more prosperous years, as families moved to the outer parts of the city, opportunistic landlords continued to benefit from these arrangements that wouldn't meet today's building codes.  Thus all these chopped up single family homes are grandfathered in and don't have to comply with structural codes.  Having, for example, seven apartments hooked up to the plumbing previously meant for one family has been hard on these houses.  Yet, if you don't have references, have a criminal record, bad credit, etc. what quality housing can you afford?  Some landlords take advantage of these people who are at risk of losing their shelter if they report the conditions of the rental property.  Hey, it's somewhere warm...maybe.