Gulf's Homeless Population Grows As People Seek Work

Homeless shelters across the Gulf coast have seen increased numbers in recent months, as those from elsewhere in the U.S. seek cleanup work. According to Alabama Live, many of these people have been misled as to work available or are, in some cases, unemployable.

"I would say easily since the debacle began, particularly in the last 60 or 70 days, we get two new people a day," 15 Place Director Lyn Manz-Walters said. "I'm sure every city on the Gulf Coast would tell you the same thing."

One man took a bus from out of state to Mobile after seeing reports on TV. He firmly believed he'd be paid $1,500 a day plus per diem.

Though BP has hired some of the previously unemployed to assist in cleanup operations, these numbers are in the thousands, not the tens of thousands, and those that are hired often have prerequisite skills that most new arrivals don't.

Competition for jobs in Gulf states is heavy as it is. Unemployment is at 10.3 percent in Alabama, though this is down from 11.8 percent in January. Mississippi's unemployment rate is 11.1 percent and Florida's is 11.6 percent.

Though jobs are scarce, you can still help the Gulf by making a financial contribution or volunteering.

Comments

[LeeCalif]

05:43 PM on 08/01/2010

There would be work if they hadn't used the dispersant which has made the oil uncatchable.

[PotomacOracle]

01:19 PM on 08/01/2010

The State Bank Option

While states are waiting for the federal government to step in, they could charter their own state-owned banks that issue low-interest credit.There is no Constitutional provision against a state owning a bank that issues ten times its deposit base in loans, using standard fractional reserve principles.

The Bank of North Dakota (BND), the nation's only state-owned bank has done so since 1919 to encourage and promote agriculture, commerce and industry in North Dakota.

Its primary deposit base is the State of North Dakota, and state law requires that all state funds and funds of state institutions be deposited with the bank. The bank's earnings belong to the state, and their use is at the discretion of the state legislature.

As an agent of the state, BND can make subsidized loans to spur economic and agricultural development, and it is more lenient than other banks in pressing foreclosures. Under a program called Ag PACE (Agriculture Partnership in Assisting Community Expansion), the interest on loans made by BND and local lenders may be reduced to as low as 1 percent.

While disruptions in capital markets have hampered student loan operations elsewhere, BND continues to operate a robust student loan business and is one of the nation's leading banks in the number of student loans issued. North Dakota's fiscal track record is particularly impressive; budget surpluses every year, low unemployment (2-3%.)

Ellen H. Brown, Author, "Web of Debt"

[ceelynncee]

03:18 PM on 08/01/2010

Interesting. Would this work as well in more populous and business/industry diverse states?

[PotomacOracle]

10:44 PM on 08/01/2010

http://www.webofdebt.com/articles/mysterious_cafrs.php
http://www.webofdebt.com/articles/growing_movement.php
http://www.webofdebt.com/articles/dollar-deception.php
http://www.webofdebt.com/articles/pottersville.php
http://www.webofdebt.com/articles/publicly-owned.php

These links will provide detailed information answering your question.

[Timothy Liang]

06:11 PM on 08/01/2010

Yah, so where are the states going to get their initial start-up money for these loan programs? If all state funds are deposited in the state-owned bank, how do we pay for all the state programs? From the bank's coffers? What if the state is in the red (like so many states are right now)? Then the bank will be in the red too? This doesn't sound right...

[PotomacOracle]

10:43 PM on 08/01/2010

http://www.webofdebt.com/articles/mysterious_cafrs.php
http://www.webofdebt.com/articles/growing_movement.php
http://www.webofdebt.com/articles/dollar-deception.php
http://www.webofdebt.com/articles/pottersville.php
http://www.webofdebt.com/articles/publicly-owned.php

These links will provide detailed information answering your question.

[gavrielle]

01:04 PM on 08/01/2010

Nebraska. Go to Nebraska. There are jobs in Nebraska and unemployment is below 5%.

Also, Ben Nelson and his selfish constituents need to feel the same pain as the rest of the country, so he'll start doing the right thing.

[Dangerous Dan]

12:57 AM on 08/01/2010

The homeless!
Not the thousands of undocumenteds fleeing Arizona?

If the homeless are willing to do this work, what are Americans unwilling to do?

[ragtally]

08:13 PM on 07/31/2010

i totally agree why is there no work there give them a job

[vanalmen2]

05:30 PM on 07/31/2010

MOVE THIS STORY TO THE FRONT PAGE!

[Giverny]

05:10 PM on 07/30/2010

Are they trying to prove Rand Paul and Ben Stein wrong?