Why Republican

The Indigent Problem

The subject and term, most often referred to in public discourse, and in the various media, as “Homelessness,” is in truth, a misnomer, This “problem” would more accurately be described as one of multiple forms; firstly as the “indigent”; secondarily as “vagrant or miscreant” individuals; and in some smaller degree, one that involves individual misfortune or accident.

To argue, that the view of “conservatives” in regard to this matter, is in some sense, cold-hearted, inhumane, or negligent, is without justification. Some of the problems that inevitably arise in human society propose no ideal response; let alone a perfect solution. This problem is among them.

It is true that sometimes, certain unfortunate individuals are literally cast out from a stable living situation into the street. For example, the dissolution of a relationship, for a person who is financially dependent on another, may result in that person being temporarily without the resources needed to secure any form of housing. Especially if the person, for some reason or another, does not have family or friends who can be of assistance. Generally, for such people, society provides various forms of assistance to which the person can turn as they endeavor to regroup and reorder their lives. At the present time this scenario remains relatively uncommon. But society, both locally, and more generally, would do well to develop a general plan for how it might respond, if the general economy suffers a major downturn which results in a significant degree of social dislocation; something of the kind that was experienced during the great depression.  

Presently however, the “problem,” is more often one of chronic indigence. The underlying causes of this are several but can be generally classified as springing from a lack of competency; and more specifically originating in mental conditions that may be of a nature that is either biogenic, a result of trauma, some form of addiction, mental illness, or simply gross ignorance. These are in large part the root causes when a person is indigent; and thus lives on the street.

A secondary effect of chronic indigence is a setting-in of a belief-system or state of mind, which might be described as resignation; and a course of life that is in effect a separation from civil society. The social compact of civil society involves the relationship, duties and responsibilities of the individual and of society; and of the agency of government which has been delegated authority, by the people, to certain enact laws; and the authority to administer and enforce these. The justification for, and the principle upon which, civil society is established, is that it is in the best interest of the people as a whole, that the agency of government assume the responsibility for certain duties; those which have been deemed by the people as appropriate and necessary in order to establish a more just and ordered society.

It is evident that many among the indigent population have in effect disengaged from civil society. Frequently this disengagement progresses to the point where they are no longer either willing or able to re-engage. In the interest of brevity this statement a bit of a simplification of the matter; but it serves serves to place in context the nature of the problem. The problem is in fact complex are variable; and the manner in which society responds to it must be similarly complex and variable.

Human decency demands a response. However, the question arises as to what benefits may be expected from a given response. If it is feasible, society should strive to remedy whatever disorder exists, such that a process can be initiated that will lead to actual progress in terms of the ability and willingness of the individual to re-engage with civil society. But even in this situation there is complexity and variability; even ambiguity. It may be very difficult to judge as to what is possible, and what cost and effort is possible. What resources are worthy of investment, for any given individual, at any given point in time. Beyond this, limited resources may preclude certain measures, which may otherwise be deemed, by some, as necessary and proper.

Society must also determine what the appropriate response is when no reasonable measures may be expected to to remedy the problem, as may be the case for those so, of their own volition, choose to continue living outside the domain of civil society. If society chooses to defer all response, the result is often indigent encampments within public spaces. In some cases these encampments grow to become communities of several, or many individuals. Moreover, indigent people often enter into areas where there are businesses or public spaces such as parks. Without knowing the specifics, the public reasonably concludes that an indigent person is, in some consequential way, disordered; and may represent some form of risk to them. It is not unreasonable to conclude that the mental state and behavior of a typical indigent person are in some way in conflict with society; otherwise they would not be in that situation. And if the public is not altogether unjustified in having concern regarding the possibility of disease or other conditions which would render exposure to the indigent person a health risk.

For society this situation presents a quandary. The indigent people may not sensibly either be detained, confined or institutionalized; their situation represents a serious health risk to themselves, and to some degree, for society at large. It seems at present that society has little choice such a situation other than to adopt a posture of pragmatic mitigation.

Each case must be assessed on its merits. The alternatives, as resources permit, may be as follows:

1. Some few should probably be institutionalized (expensive)
2. Addicts for whom it is judged truly amenable to help, may be given some form of aid in the interest of breaking the addiction. (may be cost prohibitive)
3. If there is a legal accommodation for it, shelter or designated areas to camp, may be provided in some instances
4. The identity of each should be established or assigned, and recorded
5. They should be precluded from loitering in areas of retail business establishments
6. Unavoidably some may fall outside these measures but the goal generally should be to minimize interaction with the general public

To some degree these responses may represent the current public policy. Society may judge that one or more of the above listed responses bear an increased focus; and these should be attended to in due course whether by law enforcement, government officials, and volunteer organizations.

Having described the outlines of the problem, it might be recommended that an effort be made to organize and establish public policy on a regional bases. This would serve to identify and catalog resources, identify emergent trends and changes in the indigent population; and focus the effort in such a manner as to enable the public to understand public policy as it pertains to the various manifestations of the problem. This will help frame any discussions pertaining to changes in public policy, and the nature and extent of the problem.

The “problem” of indigent people cannot be “solved” but it can be managed in a way that is comprehensible to the public mind; and in a way that serves to mitigate the negative consequences to civil society, and to the extent that it is practicable, reduces risk of harm to the indigent population.