I am on my way back to Chicago, and that means I am back to facing (literally) people experiencing homelessness. Yesterday, I signed up for a WTTW kickstart of a year-long initiative exploring homelessness in Chicago.
Last week, the city conducted an annual “point-in-time” count of homeless in the shelters and on the streets, which is often criticized for showing a lesser number of people than other surveys indicate. I still say it’s better to count that way than not count at all – see this article.
During the extreme cold of the second half of January, the Night Ministry doubled the effort to protect people from severe weather conditions, but I know that that was only that many people one organization could reach. And although the weather is way milder now, it’s still dangerous to be outside for extended periods of time.
My usual thoughts when I am anywhere in Europe – why are there so fewer people on the streets there?
Hettie's Reflections 