2-09-2023 1:30am

Terminology: Homeless or no fixed abode

Lorraine Mabbett Editor

The psychology & semantics of words is powerful. Consider how the largest bank in Europe refers to their ATM's as "Wealth Center" & the UK separates "no fixed abode" from those with no home.

An episode of Vera - the show about a British Detective, referred to a person we would label homeless as "No Fixed Abode". This is a term used in much of the European based United Kingdom by police and the media to distinguish citizens currently without a home from refugees never having had a home.

The statistics from the LA Homeless Initiative strives to present a count of everyone living on the street, over a three-day period. They itemize the count based on those living in a RV, those in a tent and those roaming from shelter to shelter or sleeping outside. Other distinctions are recorded, based on any successful responses to additional questions, which would differentiate the type of services needed for self-sufficiency when the surveys are reviewed.

No Fixed Address
- HSBC a UK bank offers "No Fixed Address Service" which enables an address so banking can be established for future paths to stability)
- HSBC is a British multinational universal bank & financial services holding company; the largest bank in Europe by total assets, established in1865 in British Hong Kong (The Hongkong & Shanghai Bank).
- HSBC is connected to Wellpoint in the United States
- A further example of the psychology of terminology; HSBC details access, on their website page, to what we would call "ready teller" or ATM as "wealth center locator".

Disabled and a military Veteran or not.
Disabled and physically unable to return to work or mentally unsure.
Working but too low of income to afford housing.
Unable to work vs unable to find a job.
No unreported income (who of us wants to admit to this - even our paltry scratcher winnings eventually accumulate into some income).
No family anywhere or no family willing or able to house or help with food or finances.
Living in the State without documents of legal entry and health status verified.

The L.A. County Board of Supervisors announced a 2023-224 budget for the Homeless Emergency. How will it be spent? Will they rely on services from local charities to anchor the stability of the taxpayer funded program. Read more here: $607 Million or $64 million from Measure H for Emergency Homeless Solutions | San Fernando Valley News Portal (town.news)

The success by the most visible charities in the San Fernando Valley is their design and desire to turn lives around 180°. They prioritize the path to success by proven methods based on accountability and dependence on private donations. They also have a large volunteer base, and public figures giving a buoy; such as Alex Trebeck, to validate, inspire, and publicize the work.

Veterans facilities closest for those preferring the San Fernando Valley

Lancaster Veterans Home

Ventura - Assisted Living

Sepulveda VA Medical Center (no housing)

West Los Angeles (housing available - but many vets are encamping adjacent)