How the Landscape Affects those Experiencing Homelessness

"The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members." - Mahatma Gandhi

Whether people want to admit it or not: Homelessness, poverty, and the need for housing are severe problems in Auckland and Chicago. As a response to what I've been noticing and experiencing, I've been writing a post about 7 Differences and 7 Similarities between the 2 cities I've lived and worked in. After realising that writing this is going to be a long journey, I've decided to post each "difference" and "similarity" as separate posts, as well. 

Here's the 2nd Difference: The landscape and climate affect how those experiencing homelessness live.

The "City of Sails" has about 1.7 million people spread out over 53 volcanoes, has plenty of forests, and is surrounded by 2 harbours. This diverse green terrain has a complex maze of roads on it, resulting in an inept public transportation system and many homeless people having cars. Because Aotearoa is surrounded by the ocean, most of the North Island has a moist moderate climate.

Despite Chicago's nickname, Windy City, coming from "full-of-hot air" politicians promoting their beautiful city in the late 19th century, the modern perception, (and what I always thought), is that it coined its name because of the arctic air that soars off Lake Michigan and rips between the highrise buildings of this flat concrete jungle. Blizzards and cold snaps make hypothermia, frostbite, and freezing-to-death ever-present realities, but beyond that, the Midwest has heat waves that can be even more deadly than those frigid winters. Chicago's efficient public transportation system has probably saved thousands of lives. 

Because Auckland doesn't experience polar vortexes, people are able to sleep in their vehicles all year long without worrying about freezing to death. Every winter in Chicago, we would go on rescue missions, we'd go under the viaducts and to loading docks to find people. We would bring them into our shelter or give them transit cards so they could ride the train. I remember bringing a frozen Kim into our dining room, he was huddled in a fetal position when we found him under a bridge. He had hypothermia and frostbite. It took hours for him to defrost, and for years afterwards he recalled that evening that could have been his last.

At this point, I want to remember Terry, someone I'd known for years, who sadly froze to death on the streets of Uptown earlier this year (2022). Sorry, you weren't rescued. My tears are weeping for you. Rest in Peace, my friend, you are now in the warm loving embrace of your Heavenly Father. 

To read the other differences (and eventually the similarities), and to see the context of this particular piece, please go to Homelessness in Chicago VS Homelessness in Auckland!

My intent in writing these is to break barriers, create awareness, bring justice, and provide compassion for those who are some of society's most vulnerable members, for those experiencing homelessness.