Evolving Perspectives on Homelessness: From Moral Judgments to Human Rights (05/06/'24) -Viewpoint

Evolving Perspectives on Homelessness: From Moral Judgments to Human Rights During the 1640s in America, homelessness was perceived as a moral failing, rooted in a lack of virtue. The prevailing belief was that a true Christian, blessed by God's grace, would naturally have their needs fulfilled. Those who were homeless were thus seen as outside of this divine favor, deserving of their hardships as a form of celestial justice. In the 1600s, when a person or family found themselves without a home, they would arrive at a new town where they needed to prove their worth to the local leaders. Failing to do so meant they had to move on, often to another town or hamlet, continuing their precarious journey. By the onset of the Industrial Revolution in the 1820s and 1830s, significant shifts occurred as people moved from rural areas to cities like Philadelphia and New York in search of employment. This migration led to the first panhandling ordinances due to the increasing number of people on the streets. City jails often served as makeshift shelters due to poor safety regulations in workplaces, which led to disabilities and fatalities. The disabled, widows, and children became particularly vulnerable, with no means of support and limited options for assistance. The 1850s saw the first recorded instances of homeless youth, often expelled from homes because their families could no longer support them. The Civil War marked another turning point, as it introduced the use of morphine for pain relief, particularly for amputated soldiers. This led to widespread opiate addiction among hundreds of thousands of veterans. From the 1870s to the 1890s, morphine and heroin were readily available through mail order from companies like Sears and Roebuck, contributing to addiction even among rural housewives who faced the isolation and monotony of rural life. The criminalization of drug addiction soon followed as a societal response to the growing epidemic. Additionally, the Civil War introduced widespread cases of what we now recognize as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It was during this era that the terms “tramp,” “hobo,” and “bum” emerged. Internationally, the approach to homelessness has evolved significantly. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1948, asserts that everyone deserves a standard of living sufficient for their health and well-being, including access to food, clothing, housing, medical care, and social services, particularly in cases of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age, or other uncontrollable circumstances. While 155 nations have ratified this declaration, the United States has not. Moving forward, it is imperative to critically assess our policies and the values they reflect to address the ongoing issue of homelessness effectively. Characteristics of Homelessness in the 1700s In the 1700s, attitudes toward homelessness were heavily influenced by religious and moral perceptions. Like the 1600s, the homeless were often viewed as morally deficient and undeserving of aid. Communities employed systems like the "warning out" system in New England, where new arrivals had to prove their moral and economic worth to be allowed to settle. Those deemed unworthy were often forced to leave, preventing them from becoming a financial burden on the community. Additionally, the poor and homeless could be auctioned off to local residents who offered to provide for them at the lowest cost to the parish. This period also saw the development of workhouses, where the homeless were given shelter in exchange for labor, under harsh and punitive conditions. These approaches reflected a societal emphasis on moral rectitude, economic utility, and community burden, framing homelessness as a problem to be managed rather than a social condition necessitating compassion and systemic solutions. Pastor Steven G. Lee (May 6, 2024)