Good idea or disaster waiting to happen?

Chicago has a problem: Too many people need shelter and other basic necessities. So the city is considering a bold new plan that would blend homeless people and migrants into one shelter. Advocates believe the One System Initiative is the solution, but is it really a good idea, or will it cause more issues?

Homeless and Migrants in One Shelter

Last week, a community meeting was held on Chicago’s West Side to discuss how the One System Initiative may work. The 23-page report recommends having at least 14,175 beds available for anyone needing shelter. The program would include services like work development, legal support, and landlord mediation. “This is a sharing of a vision of recommendations that we will now take back as city and state, and we will use those as we continue planning for the One System,” Chicago Deputy Mayor of Immigrant, Migrant, and Refugee Rights Beatriz Ponce de León said during the meeting.

As of August last year, it is estimated that there are 68,440 people experiencing homelessness. “I think the system has kind of scraped by to meet those needs, and this has amplified those needs and identified the systemic issues,” said Andrew Winter, executive director of Cornerstone Community Outreach, during the meeting.

What Could Go Wrong?

On the surface, combining shelter and resources for homeless people and migrants may seem a plausible way to get people the help they need. However, there are other things to consider that might make these recommendations more dangerous than helpful.

Health: Homeless people and migrants have different health needs and concerns. Many of those living on the streets are battling drug addiction, mental health issues, or both. They may require a close watch, specific medical support, evaluations, and counseling.

Most migrants traveled quite a distance to reach the US, some through difficult terrains, and may have suffered from malnutrition and dehydration, meaning they could require special care. More importantly, they might be carrying communicable diseases, such as measles and tuberculosis, which can be passed on to others, especially when living in close quarters.

Cultural Clash: While America contains a diverse population of many cultures and languages, the different backgrounds between the homeless population and migrants could pose a problem. Migrants come from various countries and will likely speak different languages, making it difficult not only to communicate with staff but also with other migrants and shelter occupants.

Furthermore, cultural differences, such as religious preferences and needs, could cause tension. Staff would need to monitor activities, which would take them away from other duties – or, at the very least – reduce their available time. Shelter residents could become jealous and hold resentment toward those they think might be receiving preferential treatment or taking up beds meant for Americans in need.

Crime and Social Tensions: Crime committed by migrants is a concern shared across the nation, and a lot of these incidents occur at or near migrant shelter facilities. Blending homeless people and migrants could mean an increase in crimes. There is also the added risk of people being exploited because of their financial and legal statuses. Migrants could be targeted for human trafficking, for example, while homeless people impacted by drug addiction could be coerced into criminal activities such as theft or dealing drugs.

A Recipe for Disaster?

These are some serious concerns when trying to blend the two populations together. In practically every way, homeless people and migrants have different needs. While Chicago’s One System Initiative may look like a good answer on the surface, combining the two into the same shelter could create more problems than it solves. The complete difference in their needs makes it complex to provide the specialized services each group requires. Throw in the potential for culture clashes, increased crime, and a strain on already limited resources, and the bad may outweigh the good.