Posted on Dec 17, 2023
How climate change makes life harder for unhoused residents of the Philly area
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Colt Steinmetz, 19, remembers wading knee-deep in floodwaters and feeling the burn of stinging nettles as he struggled to help people salvage shopping carts filled with gear.
It was a day in early July. The Schuylkill River had overtopped its banks and flooded a flat, secluded area along the river bank in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, where Steinmetz and several other people experiencing homelessness had set up camp.
It was a day in early July. The Schuylkill River had overtopped its banks and flooded a flat, secluded area along the river bank in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, where Steinmetz and several other people experiencing homelessness had set up camp.
How climate change makes life harder for unhoused residents of the Philly area
Posted from whyy.org
Philadelphia
Homeless
Housing
Home
Climate Change
Posted 5 mo ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel good day Brother William, always informational and of the most interesting. Thanks for sharing, have a blessed day!
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."Local zoning laws and opposition from neighbors are often roadblocks to building more affordable housing. In Philadelphia, City Council has passed legislation requiring market-rate multi-family buildings set aside a certain number of affordable units, but it only applies to small parts of the city.
Goldston recommends using your vote to elect candidates working toward real solutions.
“Look at who is on the ballots and who’s supporting ending of homelessness – who supports more funding for affordable housing,” she said.
Culhane said people should also push the city and state to scale up rapid rehousing programs, which he said are effective at reducing the duration of homelessness and preventing people from becoming chronically homeless.
“I would encourage citizens to take a more active role in the policy-making process,” Culhane said. “Don’t leave it just to the elected [officials], but actually push the officials … into making the right decisions.”
And remember to take your cues from your unhoused neighbors.
“Actually seeing unhoused people as people worth fighting with, not simply worth fighting for — I think for me is the cornerstone of the work that I do,” Begum said."
..."Local zoning laws and opposition from neighbors are often roadblocks to building more affordable housing. In Philadelphia, City Council has passed legislation requiring market-rate multi-family buildings set aside a certain number of affordable units, but it only applies to small parts of the city.
Goldston recommends using your vote to elect candidates working toward real solutions.
“Look at who is on the ballots and who’s supporting ending of homelessness – who supports more funding for affordable housing,” she said.
Culhane said people should also push the city and state to scale up rapid rehousing programs, which he said are effective at reducing the duration of homelessness and preventing people from becoming chronically homeless.
“I would encourage citizens to take a more active role in the policy-making process,” Culhane said. “Don’t leave it just to the elected [officials], but actually push the officials … into making the right decisions.”
And remember to take your cues from your unhoused neighbors.
“Actually seeing unhoused people as people worth fighting with, not simply worth fighting for — I think for me is the cornerstone of the work that I do,” Begum said."
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Extremes of weather make life more difficult for everyone especially those who are homeless. We are not going to stop those extremes so instead of burning more money, let's work to address the homeless issue.
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