The Real Challenge of Homelessness
‘Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? And when did we see thee sick and or in prison and visit thee?' And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me." --Matthew 25:31-40
"What does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but not works? Can his faith save him? If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to him, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit? So faith by itself, if it has no works is dead." --James 2:14-17
The poet Robert Frost once wrote that "home is the place where they have to take you in." For many in Metro Detroit, there are no friends or family ready to provide shelter in a pinch. The situation should concern anyone with a conscience, especially those of us in Christian communities who have a special religious and moral mandate to provide assistance to others in need. The current need for emergency housing is particularly great. The metro Detroit area has been hard-hit by an economic down-turn and may be facing a "jobless recovery" in the decade ahead.