Homes on Wheels

We all know homelessness is not a new problem in America. In the past, the homeless were mostly unemployed single persons. But today’s wayward population consists of many working people who, many of them, are also victims of the housing bubble in America. The country’s working poor toil on their job during the day and slumber in their family car by the night. It is no accident that many children have also become members of this displaced group.

Attributable to the fallouts of the construction boom in central Florida, now one-third of homeless Americans are in Seminole County, Florida. Nine months ago, Scott Pelley of the 60 Minutes shared with us that in Orlando, Florida, many families, who lost their homes through foreclosure, lived either in a one-room motel or the family car. School buses had to reroute. So they could also pick up the kids who no longer lived in their parents’ spacious house in a quite cul-de-sac.

According to Mr. Pelley, in response to his previous report on the plights of the homeless in Florida, generous financial supports for the devastated countrymen in the sunshine state were overwhelming. Nearly $4 million in private donation had since poured into the region. Now through social agencies, many families in Seminole County will soon be moving their four-wheelers from public parking lots to permanent living quarters.

We have all heard of a saying that God helps the people who help themselves.

Last Sunday, on 60 Minuites Mr. Pelley recounted his second visit to the homeless in Florida. This time, the CBS anchor found that by being creative, a few resilent Floridians did manage to receive aids and to secure shelters for the families. In one instance, a family bartered their painting skills for accommodation. In another, a family of three settled down in a med-size u-haul like truck. Last but not lest, a father of three has since secured a gainful employment. - Ayee