Homelessness is a steadily growing problem in Iowa City, but a recent article posted on thegazette.com told a much less sympathetic story about what is commonly thought of as a sad story.
A recent story posted in The Gazette issued a statement made by one of Iowa City's own formerly homeless residents that bad luck or unfortunate circumstances are not the primary cause of the problem of increasing homelessness.
Instead, according to the formerly homeless resident, the blame lies mostly with drugs, alcohol, and mental illness, ringing a truth to an unfortunate stereotype.
The reason for the homelessness? City staff explains the issue as a reluctance to seek help and enter Shelter Houses in Iowa City because of drug and alcohol problems. The problem is debatable, though, because most of Iowa City's Shelter Houses do tend to operate at capacity.
According to recent reports, Johnson County is not the worst large city in Iowa in homeless percentage, but the problem is still very noticeable in downtown Iowa. And the percentage continues to grow, especially for those with drug and alcohol-related problems because of the extensive opportunities offered by the city to individuals just coming out of prison. Unfortunately, the problems with drugs, alcohol and mental illness that many have prevent them from being able to take advantage of the opportunities.
The homeless problem has been so bad in some places that police have had to respond to complaints about people sleeping in some areas from the general public. Unfortunately, for many, though, this is the alternative to freezing outside in the cold winter.
The City Council plans to address the homeless population at an upcoming meeting.
A recent story posted in The Gazette issued a statement made by one of Iowa City's own formerly homeless residents that bad luck or unfortunate circumstances are not the primary cause of the problem of increasing homelessness.
Instead, according to the formerly homeless resident, the blame lies mostly with drugs, alcohol, and mental illness, ringing a truth to an unfortunate stereotype.
The reason for the homelessness? City staff explains the issue as a reluctance to seek help and enter Shelter Houses in Iowa City because of drug and alcohol problems. The problem is debatable, though, because most of Iowa City's Shelter Houses do tend to operate at capacity.
According to recent reports, Johnson County is not the worst large city in Iowa in homeless percentage, but the problem is still very noticeable in downtown Iowa. And the percentage continues to grow, especially for those with drug and alcohol-related problems because of the extensive opportunities offered by the city to individuals just coming out of prison. Unfortunately, the problems with drugs, alcohol and mental illness that many have prevent them from being able to take advantage of the opportunities.
The homeless problem has been so bad in some places that police have had to respond to complaints about people sleeping in some areas from the general public. Unfortunately, for many, though, this is the alternative to freezing outside in the cold winter.
The City Council plans to address the homeless population at an upcoming meeting.
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