Reply #229: Sometimes they do, true. However, keep these things in mind:

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1. Shelters in many places are VERY difficult to get it. Even though it's only emergency, there are often long lines of people trying to get in, and many get turned away. Shelters are only open at night. What job offers can you respond to at night, except just to leave another message? You need to be BY A PHONE when they call!

2. DAY shelters are more likely to actually have a phone you can use. DAy shelters are a lot more rare than the evening shelters, many cities don't have any. HOWEVER, those phones have long lines. Again, mostly what you will get is the opportunity to leave a message on voice mail.

I will say again, what is needed is true HOUSING. A place to live where you have your own phone, where you can be by the phone to receive a call from a prospective job (or hopefully two or three) or a doctors office, or your child's school. A HOME where you can take a shower for a job interview, or (hurrah!) for a job, even at 3am, if you are on an odd shift. A HOME where you can collect your head to prepare for a busy day.
What a concept!

HOUSINGFIRST! is compaigning to provide homes for even alkies and druggies, saying you can't get "clean" until you have a stable place to live, and yes, it's working.

It's NOT a fantasy.. we are a rich country -- we can make sure we have housing for everyone, if we really want to.

Really.

Not just a message phone, but a real HOME.