Dubuque — apply your values to homelessness — 20 years ago this month, I was in Dubuque speaking to Clarke College students about homelessness. What a perfect time to revisit Dubuque, a “typical” Midwestern city, to see how they’re doing on this vexing issue. A few months ago, I opined on the direction some leaders suggested to deal…

You’ve caused untold suffering, homelessness, expense and death. — Two months ago, hundreds of people — adults and kids — were scratching out their beleaguered lives at the equally-beleaguered Budgetel Inn on the outskirts of Chattanooga, TN. This quasi-homeless shelter was better than living on the streets, although it cost more than an apartment would. Before the crack of…

History of Modern Homelessness Coming Together — archive noun ar·​chive ˈär-ˌkīv : a place in which public records or historical materials (such as documents) are preserved (Merriam-Webster) Starting today, 1/7/23. I am documenting my effort to cull through more than three decades of my life’s work in homelessness. I will deliver my pile to American University in Washington DC, as part of their to-be-formed archival collection on US homelessness. …

This one’s for both Dubuque’s and Chattanooga‘s homelessness haters — It’s good I’m not surrounded by a bevy of Christmas celebrators on this, the day Christians recognize the birth of Jesus and the rest of the population ride on his robe tails. Don’t feel sorry for me. …

Don’t use your DA bully pulpit to stoke hate for homeless people — Coming off a meaningful event, Memorial Blanket Project, commemorating the deaths and lives of people experiencing homelessness on National Homeless Memorial Day, December 21, I’m just a little worked up about the latest antics of the newly-elected Hamilton County TN District Attorney Coty Wamp. She managed to grab headlines, ‘Free…

Scrooge-ish Chattanooga Officials Quietly Leave Folks Hanging — I showed up with my video camera Monday at the Hamilton County TN hearing more in solidarity with the hundreds of former Budgetel occupants than thinking I’d get any news scoop. …