Tent Cities Across the United States and Canada
by As the economy worsens maybe some of us should stop long enough to count our blessings as more and more people lose everything they own and wind up living in tent cities all across the U.S. and Canada.
As the economy worsens here in the United States it may be time for some of us to count our blessings. Tent cities are cropping up at an alarming rate all across the nation.
From Seattle to St. Petersburg everyday folks are losing their jobs, homes, cars and finding themselves living in tents.
Wikipedia’s definition of a tent city is used to describe a variety of temporary housing facilities made using tents. Tent cities set up by homeless people may be similar to shanty-towns which are informal settlements in which the buildings are made from scrap building materials.
Tent cities are located in Sacramento, Los Angeles, Fresno, San Diego, San Francisco, Oakland and Santa Barbara, California. Oregon claims tent cities in Portland, while Washington State has them in Seattle and Spokane. Nevada has them in Reno and Carson City, and Denver is proposing their formation as more and more residents lose the battle of staying ahead of poverty.
Homeless tent cities are also in New Orleans, Louisiana, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Columbus, Ohio, Louisville, Kentucky, St. Petersburg, Florida, Tampa, Florida, Athens, Georgia, Savannah, Georgia, Cleveland, Ohio, Albany, New York, Aurora, Illinois and Huntington, West Virginia.
Our northern neighbors are not immune to the deplorable living conditions of the 21st century, as Edmonton Alberta, Canada, Port Alberni, British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Victoria, British Columbia, London and Toronto, Ontario Canada all have tent cities.
On December 16, 2000, eight homeless men and women in the Portland, Oregon area came out of the shadows and pitched five tents on public land and Camp Dignity was born. It is now a thriving community known as Dignity Village.
These hearty and vital locals have struggled to form their own decent community where the downtrodden and homeless can live with dignity. The homeless shelters of Portland have enough beds for 600 people however, the number of homeless in that city stands at 3,500.
Dignity Village has come a long way since the year of its inception. They now have hot showers, portable toilets, dumpsters and a heated community area.
If tent cities must be then let them follow the example of these fine folks where those that have lost everything can live with dignity and hold their heads high.
May God bless you always…
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Post CommentJosey
On April 27, 2009 at 4:59 am
I saw this on the news. So sad to think we are at a time like this. It breaks my heart. I do feel lucky to have a roof over my head. I will stumble this. People need to know.
Glynis Smy
On April 27, 2009 at 5:29 am
I really count my blessings. I didn’t know about this Nick, thanks for sharing.
Nick Kenney
On April 27, 2009 at 5:58 am
Thanks Josey and Glynis…so many need help…at the very least…they need prayers.
PR Mace
On April 27, 2009 at 10:58 am
Outstanding article, Nick. I didn’t know this was so wide spread. I know we have a small one here in Pensacola, it was on the news. I do count my blessing and pray for the ones I can not help. My prayers as always are with you and Jan.
Sheila
On April 27, 2009 at 12:06 pm
I pray every day that this will not happen to my family…been on the verge for quite some time. Fortunately we are still moving on and still have our roof ~ never would I wish that upon anyone ~ my hearts and prayers remain with them
Nicholas Kenney
On April 27, 2009 at 2:15 pm
We love ya Pam… my prayers are with you and your family Sheila… God’s blessings always…
Judy Sheldon
On April 27, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Nick, I know. These are in the news all the time, then I work in customer service so I hear sad stories daily. It is so hard to deal with customers calling 10 hours a day that have lost their jobs and are fighting to keep their homes. My heart and prayers go out to all of them. Times have got to get better.
Anne McNew
On April 27, 2009 at 7:47 pm
I am familiar with this news and it’s awesome that many are now hurting about the global economic crisis.
It’s good for you to think about this article and it’s a good eye opener for everyone – - to thank for our blessings.
Daisy Peasblossom
On April 27, 2009 at 8:13 pm
For so many of us, poverty is one pay-check away. I’ve been that close, and I am grateful for what I have. I hope that this year will be kind too all.
johnnie metcalfe
On April 27, 2009 at 9:49 pm
thanks for sharing ialways count my blessing i pray things will get better
Eunice Tan
On April 28, 2009 at 1:16 am
I join your prayer. Hope the homeless will leave the tent someday and back to their home.
Louie Jerome
On April 28, 2009 at 4:39 am
I didn’t know this problem was so wide spread. It is not that bad here in UK although people are losing their homes. Let’s hope that it has reached the bottom and will improve soon.
Lex92
On April 28, 2009 at 3:48 pm
wow! I didnt know there were any tent cities… kinda like the Hoovervilles in the 30s? I wonder if they’re calling them Bush towns (i know…creul joke)
Ruby Hawk
On April 28, 2009 at 9:37 pm
Nick, I agree, we who still have homes have much to be thankful for. I didn’t know we had tent cities in this day and age but I’m thankful they are there for so many people who have lost their jobs and homes. Who knows who will wind up there and lucky if we can find a tent city. Thanks for writing about this and educating those of us who didn’t have a clue.
Alicia Wind
On May 2, 2009 at 11:19 am
Yeah…we need to be grateful of what we have…count the cents and consider it as a blessings…
Nice article…
R.B. Parsley
On May 22, 2009 at 1:57 am
Nick,
I too have been real close to being homeless more than once in my life.In fact, before Mary and I got together, a place I worked at began the shut down process. A week before they closed the doors I found another job, but not any better. It was less money, and it just barely brought groceries. If it hadn’t been for my parents letting me move back in with them, I would’ve been living in one of those tent cities. I didn’t keep that job long at all. Luckily, I found one making a little better money. I stayed with my parents until we were all in better shape, otherwise it would’ve been tent city here I come!!! Another great article Nick!!!! Keep ‘em comin’ buddy!!!
Randy