'It's almost like they want me to die': People homeless in Jacksonville describe barriers to housing

On Friday people in Jacksonville came out to an event in Riverside, and many of them had one goal: find a place to live.

[Jdog.]

Affordable housing is the problem, fix one issue you fix many !

[RichardTurner-go]

Amazing how much things can change in four years.

[TorriCook-kl]

More and more people I see everyday that are sleeping outside that are without homes and it's sad families older people and it's absolutely sad that we live in a country where we got trillions to send to everybody else but we as taxpayers have to decide whether we want to pay rent or eat it's very sad😢 fix up these abandoned hotels in treat them as studios and there a lot of people that work hard but just can't afford rent turn these abandoned hotels in to studios there are a lot of hard-working people that will not only keep them up but pay no one absolutely NO ONE should be sleeping outside and hungry

[The_Stockfather]

Give money directly to the homeless, not to people ‘helping’ the homeless.

[nomanejane]

Putting the homeless in jail for sleeping outside cost more than building a shelter

[BravFive]

Our governments has failed us in all areas

[moom]

Illegal immigrant are getting millions in cash and ebt

[Klat]

If a person is not a criminal and drug free they should be given temporary housing to get on their feet.

[vids]

It amazes me how each one of these cities and each one of these states already knows they have not enough beds. Yet sure enough here they are passing laws.

[jamesjamesnet]

I'm glad they are helping the homeless Jesus say it will always be poor people this what you call poor thank Jacksonville, FL

[lakeziat]

Hmmm 🤔, soon everyone is going to be homeless 😔. The prices for just one bedroom is between $1200 to $1400 . Housing and HOA have lost their dern mind.

[soberandwatching]

He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD and that which he hath given will he pay him again

[vids]

We love to have these discussions and the landlord just never comes up it's amazing to me. It's like Houdini and David Copperfield all wrapped up into one event. The landlord just simply Never Comes up.

[aerospacesystems]

I wasn’t planning any of this, but spontaneously, as a family, we decided to give away some of the things we weren’t using at home. Last week, we went to a homeless area, met with the people there, and when I spoke with them and listened to their struggles and the horrible conditions in which they live, I couldn’t help but feel disheartened, sad, and deeply disturbed. I met all kinds of people—from those living in total poverty and misery, to individuals with serious illnesses who lacked healthcare, frail elders abandoned completely, and even educated people with low-paying jobs who still couldn’t afford housing.

it’s undeniable that our citizens in distress—whether they are the poor, the homeless, or victims of disasters—deserve immediate and unwavering support. Yet, we find ourselves allocating substantial funds and resources to assist illegal immigrants while our own people continue to struggle. This imbalance in priorities has created a glaring injustice and is, frankly, disheartening.

While it’s easy to point fingers, much of the responsibility does lie with the Democrats, who have championed policies that overlook the needs of American citizens while prioritizing assistance for illegal immigrants—something I find unacceptable, unpatriotic, irrational, and highly reprehensible. However, let’s not ignore the inconvenient truth: Republicans have also failed to take meaningful action. Their inaction and lack of accountability have only perpetuated the problem.

The time for excuses is over. Both parties need to stop playing politics and start delivering real solutions. Enough is enough—our people deserve better than to be left behind in their own country.

We need to put pressure on our politicians to take action now. The priority should be providing temporary container housing for the homeless as a stopgap, while we simultaneously focus on constructing affordable housing for medium- and low-income families. We know there will be criticism, no matter what we do—after all, it’s a classic case of being "damned if you do, damned if you don’t." But the reality is, we cannot afford to wait any longer. Immediate action is crucial, and we have to push through the negative responses in order to tackle this urgent issue.

And, for those who are reading my comment. I urge you to take a moment to reflect on the importance of helping those in need. While any day is a good day to extend a hand of kindness, Thanksgiving offers a particularly meaningful opportunity to do so. This holiday is about gratitude, and what better way to express that than by making a difference in the lives of the destitute, the homeless, and those who are struggling?

I implore all of you consider donating food, clothing, or essential supplies, volunteering at a shelter, or simply offering a kind word to someone who needs it. These small acts of compassion can bring immense relief and remind those in hardship that they are not forgotten. Let this Thanksgiving be not just a celebration of abundance but a chance to share that abundance with others. Together, we can help restore hope and dignity to those who need it most.

Happy thanksgiving to all of you!

[reaperct]

I blame homelessness on the US government

[rnflnardone]

I see one big corporate flush in Jacksonville. 🤷🏻‍♂️ I been here 2 years rented 3 places and lived in a hotel for a year it's crooked ASF down here. 10+ Jso officers arrested this year.. thats unheard of where im from.. and I'm from NY imagine that one.

[CynthiePompey]

Housing in Oregon average is 1800.00 a month for a shack, average social security is 700.00 to 1200.00 at age 62, many nurses and Veterans homeless. We the people under democracy is suffering.

[margaretcampbell]

How sad, people in this Country are entitled to shelter.

[lawrencejames]

Hello 👋 I’m a veteran and I feel the same way!

[johnmiller]

We don't want you to die .
We want you to get your act together using the resources THAT ARE available to you. Lots of programs in Jax to help you.
No excuses. Very generous people donating time and money to help.