PH wrote:I don't disagree with much of that, but I think the rarely isn't as rare as you might think and the odd persons are larger in number.
Well, then it is sad for them that they don't have family or friends that can support them, so that they need not be put in that situation. That is a problem in itself, poor relations (for whatever reason) with one's family.
PH wrote:The only hostel I have an current knowledge of is I believe run to the best ability of the staff on the budget they have. Full time staff have been reduced to 9 from 12 in the last few years and they're trying to fill some of the gaps with volunteers.
Well, I tend to think that with the best of intentions, the kind of people who often work in hostels are those with endless patience and a disposition to forgive or let bad behaviour slide. I am not saying people should be ruled with an iron rod, but there should be a balance of carrot and stick. People who are
just homeless and able to behave themselves should be housed away from those with other, more extensive problems. At the very least rules should be enforced.
I know of someone who stayed in a womens shelter for a time. There was a perpetual fug of cannabis, much of this smoked by mothers with young children. The people running the place knew about it and made little attempt to do anything about it. Whatever your view on the drug, it is an illegal substance, more likely than not is bad for the health of young children and if these smaller things were enforced in the first instance (3 strikes and you are out?), then the entire system would better for those who did abide by the rules and would show those who may flaunt them that it wouldn't be tolerated.
Those with serious problems obviously need far more than a roof over their heads. They need a roof plus rehabiliation, army like structure (get up at this time, go to bed at this time) to reestablish routine and make them employable, and they need doctors and counsellors to tend to their mental health, behavioural and addiction problems.
This would be a gargantuan task which might occupy the better part of a decade to substantially rehabilitate some people.