The Homeless

Since it is December, and many of us are doing Christmas shopping and making plans for the holidays, I thought I would write about homelessness.

I suspect that for many people, the idea that they too could end up with no place to live, no job, and no family to help them out seems very unlikely.

But, for many of the homeless this is just what has happened to them.  

While some homeless people are addicted to drugs and/or alcohol, and this has resulted in a loss of home, family and employment, for some others, the cause is untreated or under treated mental illness.  

Others simply cannot afford to get a place to live in this city, even though they have a job!  The cost of living in Calgary is very high!  

The low minimum wage of $5.90 per hour *** (set by the Alberta provincial government) makes it impossible for some people to find housing they can afford. While there is some low-cost housing, there are always more people waiting than places available for them. (And this in a RICH province, thanks to the oil and gas industry!)

It's very easy to look down on, and deride, those less fortunate, but remember, "There, but for the grace of God, go I".