Homeless people in Alaska? (Juneau and, Metlakatla: unemployment, landlord, camping)

[blueflames50]

Originally Posted by starlite9

My issue is that if someone is down and out, a fifty dollar a month cell phone plus the interent costs are a bit odd for someone who needs the money. That is a lot of food down the rat hole.

I don't know if there is a way to hack and use a cell without an account but I'm sure there is which would give a person internet access also.
I do know you don't need to pay for any internet service with a laptop to connect thru someone else's open signal and use it. there are lots of free email accounts to be had.

[debey]

Public Library, perhaps? Are they open, on Sunday afternoon? Place to warm up, also.......

[Grannysroost]

The person said they were staying in motel/hotel for a couple days to regroup, said he had a laptop...

[starlite9]

Originally Posted by blueflames50

I don't know if there is a way to hack and use a cell without an account but I'm sure there is which would give a person internet access also.
I do know you don't need to pay for any internet service with a laptop to connect thru someone else's open signal and use it. there are lots of free email accounts to be had.

Granted you can get free Internet with a laptop, but they aren't that reliable if you have to keep them outdoors in the cold, rain and other elements. You can use the ones in a Library though...

I am just a bit skeptical when someone gets on the Internet and claims to be homeless. If they are that tech savey, then they can access the different job data basis here in Alaska and find work or social programs that can help them.

Seems like the Internet it is another source of scamming those with good intentions of helping those that are down and out.... I guess that is the old "Cop" in me that keeps an eye open for such events.

[NomadicBear]

You'd probably be surprised, starlite9, how many people are newly homeless, but still have a vehicle, a laptop computer, and some other things which allow them freedom and the ability to stay "connected". It's only temporary, of course, as the situation only worsens with time. Vehicles become too expensive to maintain, and everything falls apart. From what the guy posted, he seems like he's starting to get desperate. Anyone talking about the "endless sleep" certainly isn't doing so well. Furthermore, just because someone can access the internet and a jobs database does not mean they can easily get hired.

[gobrien]

The Lifeline program is very prevalant in Alaska, and gives the qualified recipients a free cell phone for $1 a month.

[gobrien]

There are a lot of programs that are supposed to assist the homeless and near-homeless but frequently lack funding. There is a waiting list for rental assistance. In reality it is very difficult to find assistance of any kind, even for the working poor. There are just too many people in Anchorage with hard-luck stories.

[GOPATTA2D]

There are free cell phone programs in many states now. I just looked on Craigslist and there are cheap used laptops for $20 including Win2K and XP. Many people would rather buy a new laptop than replace a battery. If you have the power cord they still work great.

If I needed an Internet machine I would find a cheap used one, take it to the library and plug into their bandwidth. Download a small Linux shell to CD, zap the Win OS and install Linux. Old machines on a Linux light OS will run very fast compared to XP on the same hardware.

Now you have a good browser / email machine for $25 and a few hours.

[starlite9]

Originally Posted by NomadicBear

You'd probably be surprised, starlite9, how many people are newly homeless, but still have a vehicle, a laptop computer, and some other things which allow them freedom and the ability to stay "connected". It's only temporary, of course, as the situation only worsens with time. Vehicles become too expensive to maintain, and everything falls apart. From what the guy posted, he seems like he's starting to get desperate. Anyone talking about the "endless sleep" certainly isn't doing so well. Furthermore, just because someone can access the internet and a jobs database does not mean they can easily get hired.

No, you are right, there are exceptions to everything. But there is also an abuse of the system of those that know how to work it, and most that are computer savey tend to fall in that realm. Most of the true homeless are not of the ability or mindset to spend time on Forums groups complaining about what their lifestyle has degraded to.

There is a lot of reasons people may be homeless, but mental illness and drug abuse is one of the bigger issues that plauge them. The ones that aren't so effected, can get help in one form or another.

I don't aggree with giving the down and out a free phone, f it was to help them get out of a bad deal, then fine, but there seems to be no limits on the minutes or time the phone is used.

Friend runs a pawn shop and they bring the "Free" phones in wanting to pawn them for drinking money.

[Metlakatla]

Originally Posted by Rance

I know one thing...I sure as hell didn't have no internet. Funny how a guy living in a truck has internet.

There are hot spots all over Anchorage; it really isn't funny at all.