This is a Pile of Rags, Right ? Wrong. It’s a Home.....

by Fripouille | February 16, 2009 at 11:55 am

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Practical. You knew he was at home when it was all piled up like that, because he would be under it. And it was all flat and sad when he went elsewhere. But he has gone, and so has his home. It disappeared a short while back, which is why I am writing this.

“He” was a guy who used to live on that street, not far from my place, for a couple of months. It’s a very busy just-out-of-downtown thoroughfare, complete with trams every three minutes and a busy road as well. Maybe he felt less alone with people around him. I took this picture while he was still there. It was freezing cold that day.

Fact. there are over a hundred thousand people without housing in France, many of whom are on the street.
(Source material here. French only, sorry).

Why is this? This post offers a partial response to that question, a partial response we don’t always think about.

Most people I know think this should not be happening in 2009 in one of the most highly-developed countries in the world. Those people who think it should not be happening include;
My neighbour, a 22 year-old law student, and three other student neighbours in my small apartment block. Then there’s Christine, divorced and a fierce advocate of housing for all. François, a computer programmer, finds all this very sad. Hazel, Isabelle, Michel and Dominique are also shocked by the homeless figures here in France.

And so am I. You too, probably.And I know many more good-thinking people like us.

But our sense of outrage at seeing people in this life-threatening situation (hundreds of homeless people will die of cold in France this winter) is not all we have in common. The other thing we have in common is that the neighbours, Christine, François, Hazel, Isabelle, Michel, Dominique and all the others, including myself, are single.

This means that we live alone. And all of us live alone in apartments or houses of at least 75 square meters and two bedrooms minimum.

It may seem hard to believe, but one third of houses and apartments here in France are occupied by only one person, and the figures go up every year. ONE THIRD! That means that at the end of 2007 there were 8.4 million under-used apartments or houses.

In fact, there are as many apartments or houses occupied by one person as there are occupied by two people. And this automatically means, of course, that only one third of housing here is occupied by three or more people (entire families).

(Source - INSEE) French only, sorry).

Think about it. We have a hundred thousand people out on the street or in homeless shelters, and a third of the country’s housing stock is under-occupied!

So let’s get back to me and my friends. Why do we live alone?

Well, my student neighbour (and doubtless the other students in my block too) HATES the idea of being cooped up in a small place, and she likes to have spare bedrooms for friends, so daddy pays her this big apartment, to keep his little girl happy. Christine is divorced-like-everyone-else, and now feels the need to be independant, and she feels good doing what she wants, when she wants, without being hassled by a man. François is anti-social (but a good friend) and will probably never hook up in his life if he’s not careful. Hazel and Isabelle are professional women who don’t have time for permanent men, but need space for their invitees. Same thing for Michel and Dominique, who, as men, also like inviting buddies (me included) to drink a few beers and change the world when they feel like it. And the list goes on.....

Me? Oh, I’m no better than they are. I live in a fairly large apartment which used to have three reasonably-sized bedrooms as far as I can work out, but now has just two big ones. I’m taking a break from living with a girlfriend. I need space for my head and for my home recording studio too, and my god daughter comes to stay often, as well as my friends, amongst them women. They appreciate a little privacy, of course. Also, I have had this place for years, so the rent is cheap because it’s inflation-linked and hasn’t been hiked up by the landlord.

In other words, we all live comfortable lifestyles and do what we want, because we are free citizens in a comparatively rich society and we value our independance. Gone are the days of drudgery when people married early and had 2.5 kids and a dog and a goldfish and a family car and stayed together forever. Times change, and values change too.

Things weren’t like that before.

Paradoxically, although our parents, and society in general, had less money than we do, there were less homeless people too, partially because there were many more families and housing was mostly occupied by families. Not many people lived alone when I was a child. Most of the housing stock at that time was used to its potential. In fact when I was a kid, we would call the few homeless people to be seen “tramps”, a politically VERY incorrect term in these days of mass homelessness. Living alone was not really “the thing to do”. Most housing that is over fifty years old was built with families in mind, not individuals. People lived in less space before.

All this means that it’s hard to have to admit that our progressive and emancipated principles and strong social consciences are one thing, but this has consequences too. We do all have valid reasons for living alone, of course, and, After all, we have the right to. But the consequences are there nevertheless.

We have to face the facts. Given the way we live today, with more and more people living alone, there will NEVER be enough money to house the 100 000 or more no-fixed-abode victims in this country. Period. Who is going to pay the bill? It just is not financially possible to build enough housing for a society in which more and more people live alone. One abode per person? Not mechanically possible.

That’s the bottom line.

Hard world? Yes. Very. And it’s getting harder.

Ask the guy under the Pile of Rags......

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Laughing-Samurai (not verified)

at 19:51 on February 16th, 2009

I worked with the "homeless" for 20 years, first in Liverpool and then in London. We were able to find housing for more than 5,000 people, unfortunately only a drop in this ocean.

When I came to live in Japan ('94) I was shocked to find so many homeless here, especially because Japan is the worlds second largest economy and also because when I walk around I see so many empty buildings, many empty for many years. But in Japan there's no compulusory purchase of property like in the UK and elsewhere.

With the current financial mess the number of Japanese homeless are increasing. Current estimates put the figure around 50,000 out of a working pop. of 60 million or total pop. of 127 million.

Many workers who are losing their jobs are also losing their accommodation because its quite common for people to live in company housing at greatly reduced rents. Especially in the main cities.

In Tokyo a new form of accommodation is cropping up, tiny rooms for rent, like just big enough to lie out, like a cupboard really. They also have a free use computer. This allows the recent homeless to have a place to sleep and more importantly, an address which is needed for job applications.

In recent months thousands of these tiny rooms have quickly filled up and many landlords or agencies now have a waiting list. I don't know the rental of these rooms but it won't be cheap, probably ¥3,000 to ¥5,000/night.

Many of the Japanese homeless build shelters with blue plastic sheets and I suppose by some standards are better than sleeping on a piece of cardboard. All major cities have "tent cities of homeless" usually in public parks or along rivers.

A good post, thank you!

Laughing-Samurai (not verified)

at 03:43 on February 17th, 2009

Fripouille, thank you, Liverpool yes? my birth city. I worked with homeless there in the 1960's as a volunteer, usually weekends. I didn't work with Shelter but a similar type organization.

From 1971 I moved to London and worked with many homeless organizations, including Shelter.

I basically believe all people regardless of who they are or where they come from have the basic human right to shelter, clothing, food, education and health. Its a sad reflection of our society when they fail on this point.

Its not even about the lack of money because I believe more could be done with less money.

gerrypopplestone

at 18:47 on February 16th, 2009

Good post: but you can turn that on its head and look at the other extreme - thjose living in absolute luxury. I think you or your single friends shopuld feel guilty. Homelessness is complex - many are homeless because they live 'chaotic' lives . Im not being judgemental! Also, in London there is now a very good backup system of hostels with support systems in place to help people recover from mental illness or deal with drug problems. In fact he drug issue is dealt with tough love: only those who agree to get off the drug habit hrough proper support get help! In France, there should be facilities around for hostel support. Good topic for a discussion, though, Fripouille.

Tina Kells

at 15:25 on February 16th, 2009

Thank you for this. There is a commercial in Canada for the Salvation Army that has run over the Christmas holidays for the past few years and your post brings it to mind.

In the commercial busy people are rushing around shopping as an announcer speaks about the statistics of poverty and homelessness in Canada. As the announcer speaks the camera closes in on what at first appears to be a blank white wall, like any wall you see outside of a department store. As it gets closer you see two people, a mother and child, also in white but slowly becoming more visible.

They represent the poor and homeless that many people do not ever stop to see, even during the "season of giving."

It is good that people like you still see them, and alert others to their plight. It is also very touching how you miss the homeless man in your story now that he is gone. I truly hope he is OK.

Once again, thanks.

Tina Kells

at 15:58 on February 16th, 2009

If you are interested here is a shortened version of the commercial I am talking about:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WW2eUThJnw&feature=PlayList&p=E71AE7FBAEEE6398&playnext=1&index=4

Paschen

at 16:01 on February 16th, 2009

Globally we have growing number of Homeless and no real political nor social will to fix the problem and with the economy as is the number is still growing. We are an irresponsible and self centred world. This is criminal in many ways to let this go on. Great post.

Fripouille

at 16:12 on February 16th, 2009

Hi Paschen,

The sad truth is that it's even worse than criminal. What do I mean? Follow me here...

It's that the world is self-centred, as you say. This is not criminal, nobody's doing anything wrong deliberately.

It's just that the present societal demands of people, legit in strict terms (we all have the right to live how we wish), means that it's inevitable.

And none of us are going to change it....

Criminals get locked up. Then we move on. But we can't lock up this contradiction in terms..

Paschen

at 18:14 on February 16th, 2009

It has been an issue for me for some time and I never accepted this indifference of our societies over all. We could fix this. "Justice for all" Is that not part of what a free democratic society aims for. Equality as well? I may have miss understood my teachers in High school though some 25 years ago...

Tina Kells

at 16:58 on February 16th, 2009

Here is another timely video that talks about the rise of family homelessness in the US since the financial crisis hit - more than 1,000,000 homeless in the United States? Is that nightmare really part of the American dream?

Middle Class Families a Paycheck Away from Homeless

duo

at 19:12 on February 16th, 2009

Thanks for the article. It is good to consider those less fortunate than ourselves and count our own blessings. Regarding homelessness, it is important to remember that most people who are without a permanent abode either bunk with relatives or friends until they bounce back financially. Occasionally, a person with their mental faculties in place may actually wind up on the street for a short period due to extremely bad finances, but that is unusual.

I believe that most chronically homeless people are either mentally ill or substance abusers or both. Homelessness grows as mental health services reduce, including inpatient and outpatient treatment and subsistence assistance. Anyone with the wherewithal would naturally provide a place to live for himself or herself and family. People who don't do that usually cannot, and oftentimes the reason is medical or psychiatric more so than purely financial.

Blessings!

Mary

Fred Miller

at 19:16 on February 16th, 2009

Thanks, Fripouille for sharing this great story.

I was faced with similar questions when I worked in New York and had to get off from work at midnight. The landscape of the city would change and there were few places that were not inhabited by the homeless. Phone booths and ATM bank lobbies, bus shelters were the first to be occupied and then the streets. The pile of rags you describe are very real in my mind as are the creative and innovative minds of these unfortunates. It was not uncommon at 6 a.m. to see a pile of cardboard boxes that had been on the pavement all night long suddenly come to life and move on down the street ! The long snowy nights that I dreaded as I headed for a bus to my New Jersey apartment were at once more dreadful and yet more bearable thanks to witnessing the bravery of the homeless night after night.

Fripouille

at 00:40 on February 17th, 2009

That's a very eloquent comment Fred, thanks. It's true that seeing people battle through winter on the street should make us think of how "lucky" (for want of a better word) we are. Some of those people used to work, have a wife, kids, just ordinary people really, until things began to fall apart and they just couldn't handle it anymore......

vivek vibrations

at 10:15 on February 17th, 2009

Took this shot in the south of India. This homeless guy was sleeping and i just couldn't resist to make a photo of him.
his toe nails where really long and focused actually on the toes..
love this shot!

vivek vibrations has contributed a photo to this story.

sociophile

at 11:02 on February 17th, 2009

This was taken in front of a department store in dowtown Chicago at about 10pm. At the time, it was about 3 degrees Fahrenheit. I honestly couldn't imagine having to live outside in such cold.

sociophile has contributed a photo to this story.

gerrypopplestone

at 18:59 on February 17th, 2009

I'm really sorry, Fripouille. I left the 'not' out by mistakes. I really did not mean to suggest you should feel guilty! Yeah, it is a complex issue. The London police have learnt to be more sensitive now, after many clumsy attempts, and the hostel scene has improved dramatically. But also some people don't like the regimentation of hostels. The other issue is mental illness: like the prison population, those who are homeless are often there because there are insufficient mental health support systems available to them. Mental health services are still woefully under-resourced in London. Also, near me is one of the new projects that attempt to be more commercial by having work generating opportunities for the homeless together with training in skills. This one runs a restaurant, but I see it has now been taken over by a chain (probably because the Project lacked adequate management skills). In Camden, there is an excellent restaurant run by a project catering only for young people with "learning difficulties', and it is very successful.

Laughing-Samurai (not verified)

at 00:11 on February 19th, 2009

As Obama Unveils Foreclosure Plan, Activists Place Homeless in Vacant Homes

Laughing-Samurai (not verified)

at 06:30 on February 20th, 2009

Fripouille

I'm a very active ex-NP member, before you joined. I know my way around NP. I still get RSS Feeds for some members, hence sometimes I still make comments. Thank you for your kind comment.

zichi

Rachel Nixon

at 12:04 on February 16th, 2009

Great post Fripouille, and an interesting take on the subject of homelessness.

Fripouille

at 12:42 on February 16th, 2009

You know, Rachel, I stumbled upon those anonymous-at-first-sight figures by accident one day in an article in le Figaro, and it just seemed to jump out at me. No-one talks about that aspect of the homeless issue here, it's as if it were taboo. I don't know if it's the same everywhere......

Rachel Nixon

at 15:23 on February 16th, 2009

Well, in Vancouver we have a large homeless population. People talk a lot about the issue generally, though to my eyes not a lot appears to happen. The new Mayor, Gregor Robertson, promised to make it his top priority when he was elected, and pledged to end homelessness by 2015.

Fripouille

at 15:55 on February 16th, 2009

Your eloquent comment speaks for itself Tina. Thank you.

I read a story a couple of years ago. It was about a horse that got loose in the centre of Paris. It had hurt its leg. It was finally brought under control by some people in the street. I subsequently saw a video of the incident. And there they were talking about lawyers and vets and help and possible homes for it. Great huh? Compassionate conscience an' all..

Yeah.

Except that, just behind them, two homeless people were sitting on the floor with begging bowls.......Waiting.

Fripouille

at 16:02 on February 16th, 2009

I really don't know what to say about that to be honest, because I don't know Vancouver.

But pledging to "end homelessness"?

There will always be an "inevitable" homeless population (alcoholics and drug-addicts who know no-one, broken people who want (yes, want) to be there, etcetera) but saying he'll end (avoidable via housing) homelessness?

I'll believe it when I see it, let's put it that way.

(I'm feeling magnanimous towards politicians this evening..)

Fripouille

at 16:45 on February 16th, 2009

Aha! This is where we start asking real questions.

"Freedom?" For who? "Democracy?" For who? "Equality?" For who?

(Because we can't all have them......Period).

It's not indifference Paschen, if I may say so, it's just that we haven't yet, and may never in my opinion, put what we preach into practice.......

Your comment raises questions that many would prefer to ignore.

(Shhhhh....)

Fripouille

at 17:00 on February 16th, 2009

(Hey, I am quite new here, and people (the emails don't show their names) have just added some very pertinent photos to this post. How do I thank them fot their efforts outside of commenting? Or is that how it's done? Sorry to seem so dumb, but that hasn't happened before....Help!)

Anyway, thanks for the photos, whoever you may be..I appreciate your contributions very much...

Tina Kells

at 17:01 on February 16th, 2009

This reminds me of a question I used to ask as a little kid when I watched movies. In movies when animals get hurt people can hardly bare to watch, but when it is a person the slaughter is tolerable. I have always wondered why that was. Unless it is a child most people just don't seem to blink at human suffering. I find that very sad.

Fripouille

at 17:12 on February 16th, 2009

"The crisis". Well said Tina.

Two words that are going to mean a lot of harm to a lot of honest people.

Those responsible for this deliberate and flagrant abuse of people's right to a roof deserve life sentences in my view...

The spoilt brat student on the other side of the wall behind my screen is just unaware and no more. As are many of us. Ok, let's hope that can change.

But the systematic and cynical undermining of America's (and the world's) economic health must never be repeated.

Fripouille

at 00:31 on February 17th, 2009

Oh, I don't feel guilty at all Gerry. I didn't make the rules, but I do see the absurdity of them. I try to help in concrete ways. In fact there are hostels here, just not nearly enough. On the subject of tough love, the government introduced a law this winter authorizing the authorities to pick up homeless people and take them to dosshouses whether they liked it or not! Many refused, saying they didn't want to go because of the violence, bugs and illness and drugs there. So they stayed outside!

Complex issue, as you are implying here....

Fripouille

at 00:35 on February 17th, 2009

You are right, Duo. There is another category though. Those who end up on the street for reasons linked to divorce/loneliness/financial problems/unemployment etcetera. Those who feel life gave them a bad deal......

Fripouille

at 00:45 on February 17th, 2009

Hey, it's a small world! I used to work for Shelter, in Liverpool. The head coordinator was called Roy Murphy. Did you know him? He was a very courageous guy.

I used to be involved in trying to house homeless single mothers...

As for Japan, as coincidence would have it I read a long article just yesterday on the homeless issue in Tokyo. It's becoming a major headache for the authorities apparently, because the necessary structures to cope with it weren't needed before, so they don't exist!

Fripouille

at 04:30 on February 17th, 2009

My family is from there. I know it like the back of my hand and lived there for years! I'll be visiting my sister there at easter....

It's certainly true to say that much more could be done with the resources at hand..in France for example, there was a (good) law voted in parliament to oblige local authorities to build a certain number of public housing projects, not just office blocks. The law is being ignored. Why? Because authorities would rather pay the price of not respecting the law (derisory fines) instead of complying....

(Oh, and I'm a Liverpool fan).