Being homeless hurts enough as it is.
But one professor’s research revealed that aside from the struggle of life on the streets, the homeless are often targets of hate crimes.
Sandra Wachholz, assistant professor of criminology and Dave Wagner, professor of social work presented a discussion of “Hate Crimes and Repression Against the Homeless in Portland.”
Wachholz conducted a research study to raise awareness of the fact that the homeless are victims of hate crimes. She interviewed 30 homeless persons in Portland. In her interviews she asked open-ended questions about their experience with hate.
“I was not prepared, as a researcher, for the level of human suffering that I encountered,” said Wachholz.
In about a year Wachholz will publish her findings on hate crimes against the homeless. All of the author’s royalties will go to the Preble Street Resource Center.
In her research she found that in the Greater Portland area a strong-knit community has been shunned while patiently waiting for the doors of shelters to open up. Typically, shelters close during the afternoon, leaving the homeless to find other places to go.
Some sit curled up on park benches or go to the Portland Public Library to rest. Now these people are finding that they are considered undesirable, according to Wachholz.
She said signs expressing hate have shut them off. Some benches have been taken away. Signs reading “Please no loitering” are placed in some store windows. These actions have escalated over the past years in the City of Portland, according to Wachholz.
Her research revealed that physical assaults and verbal abuse plague the homeless and ironically the largest perpetrators are Portland police officers.
Moreover, the homeless are not a class protected in hate crime legislation.
Wachholz wanted the voices of the victims to be heard and the hate crimes to halt.
“(I am) interested in raising awareness that law enforcement officers play an essential role in perpetrating hate crime victimization against the homeless,” said Wachholz.
A panel of six Preble Street advocates began the discussion by telling their stories. Although each panel member’s life had taken different turns, there was a common thread.
Homelessness can happen at any given time in one’s life. An obvious reason is the “lack of home.” Over the years, many cities including Portland have done away with subsidized housing. The landlords and owners feel profit is the commodity, and this filters out the poverty-stricken who cannot afford the rent of city housing. Professor Wagner estimates there are approximately 2,000 people in the Greater Portland area who are homeless.
As soon as the weather changes the shelters fill up. This year the Portland shelters were full in October.
Portland has proven to be helpful in providing resources through soup kitchens, food banks, and shelters. Yet the advocates agree that these resources are merely band-aids, because the actual issue is the lack of housing, at least housing that people on the poverty line can afford.
For the moment the passage of the $10 million housing bond gives a glimmer of hope to the homeless activists who have worked hard campaigning and picketing.
There are still some questions that need to be answered such as how much money will be awarded to Portland. The activists are making strides, but they say they need the support of the entire community.
Staff Writer Erin Zwirn can be contacted at: [email protected]