PRETENDING TO BE HOMELESS!

As per Dwight's (Isaiah house) suggestion, I called six shelters today, at 10AM pretending to be
a homeless mother with two young children who are in need of food and emergency shelter.
First of all, the entire process took me several hours. I got the numbers online and made
the phone the calls. All of the shelters are in San Diego County and I will not state their names.
The first shelter I called was answered by an answering system, after several options I spoke
with an actual human, who informed me that they do not accept walk-ins and that I needed to
call the Homeless Outreach Team and find out if I qualify for the program. I did so and no one
answered. A person at the second shelter suggested that I call another phone number and that
they would be able to help me. I called and was told that the shelter is full. She transferred me to
someone else who gave me some phone numbers. Called them and got voicemail.
The third shelter is full every day, there is a waiting list, I need to physically go to the facility and
fill out forms. There is no guarantee that I will get in today, only if a spot becomes available.
The woman on the other end was very apologetic and stated that "it's very difficult here in San Diego to get into an emergency shelter." The fourth shelter is also operated by an answering
service. The fifth one suggested that I call 211 for referrals and the sixth shelter is a seasonal
shelter which is currently closed and reopens in September.

Dwight is correct when he asserts the fact that there are programs that have too many restrictions, are highly bureaucratic and are highly inefficient. This exercise proves to me that
any of us can truly be homeless. It makes me very sad and mad!