It's February, 2012 and a better layout to separate headings for Housing, Jobs, Healthcare (rural vs. urban), and Corruption which creates homeless people. We will be assisting the undetectable homeless as best as possible, despite the malicious and dubious legal actions by a doctor who had her license to prescribe revoked by the Arkansas Medical Board, sent to Vanderbilt U. in TN for continuing education in "how to prescribe properly," and is now in Maryland -- with no notification to patients of her sanction by Arkansas -- continuing her lack of knowledge regarding prescribing properly.  She has no understanding of the human need to live a purposeful life, especially for the elderly and disabled. She violates all civil rights explicit or implied by our Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the Americans With Disabilities Act.  She is the only reason I cannot travel as I've done for 35 years of fieldwork and academe to introduce the manner in which the undetectable homeless approach the condition of homelessness. 

Marjorie Bard, Ph.D., discusses the situations of the UNDETECTABLE  homeless who are dwelling in alternative housing while mingling invisibly among us.  Their anonymity is essential to their choices of lifestyle and self-employment.  Very specific attention will be paid to issues which effect women, especially those over 50 who are in crisis: pre-homeless, living with relatives, friends, or are already homeless and using innovative strategies to remain completely hidden as "homeless."  Dr. Bard will relate how those with whom she has located, interviewed, and filmed (faces pixilated) are surviving on wheels, water, in the wilderness, and within a weather pattern.  Some live within one area or use mobility to seek employment or more harmonious surroundings.  The major tactic is to avoid identifying themselves to any governmental or private agency which deletes self-determination and mobility and creates a dependency that sends one on a downward spiral of lack of control over one's current life and future.  While many receive Social Security, pension, and/or disability checks, the main source of income becomes how one uses innate and former work skills to create self-sufficiency.

Marjorie Bard has been publishing and speaking at conferences since 1980 about the recasting of abandoned and dying tiny towns for permanent housing for the homeless.  On the website: http://www.studioclub.com/homeless/undetectablehomeless.htm, Dr. Bard has "cyberlogs" which have been ongoing since 2001.  In their own words, the root causes of their homelessness are described, and the solutions they suggest provide answers to all of the questions that the general public ask.  Alternative housing and self and co-op employment have given them a future that may be "less" than owning a house and having a supposedly permanent job with future benefits, but provides pride in accomplishments that were never considered.  As of 2012, there are three tiny new thriving comunities which were established by Dr. Bard, but the growth and success is due to the members who work for self-sufficiency. 

An essential element which would make this a nationwide project is the creation of a National Bulletin Board ("community local-live" and on the internet) that will focus on churches that are now closed during the week.  With an open full week to provide a place to list names, preferred states for new settlements, and skills offered, the stable homeless can collaborate.  This is too complicated to address on this limited site, but once stable homeless people can begin a process, perhaps our senators and the White House will listen to "out of the box" solutions.  Have you even heard the last two presidents mention homelessness and alternative housing communities?  Where do our presidents think that the people who lost jobs and homes are living? They must believe that all homeless people live in missions and shelters.

An alternative lifestyle in an RV?

One good alternative to a traditional house is an RV.  A common error is to imagine the scenario of "the rich" living in an RV, traveling for "fun."  This is reality: having a roof over one's head with basic amenities. There are many older, used RVs, and they offer a unique "nest" -- a stable dwelling place or for travel to discover self or traditional employment opportunities.  Another favorite is a used mid-sized truck.  It is more roomy than a converted van and is welcome at any of the newly updated truck stops where there is no time limit for parking.  A station wagon, van, camper, mini-trailer or SUV provide less room, but "cheaper" just means less space for conveniences.  The plan is what is important: when you are aware that money is running out, plan in advance for that move to a new "nest."  Used vehicles available for sale or trade at trailer parks and RV parks/resorts as well as in many used car lots and specific magazines catering to travelers.  Don't be afraid to take that step of preventing a sudden lack of money for rent or mortgage.  Take the initiative and plan for an economic crisis that requires the loss of a traditional home.  You never have to be a "visible" homeless person who must try a mission where danger lies and you are a target.  Have a place with your own lock and the ability to be mobile. 

Dr. Marjorie Bard discusses recasting abandoned or dying small towns where "pioneers" and the pre-homeless/homeless can participate in (re)building homes and stores with sweat equity labor, create organic garden-farming, utilize alternative energy and water collection systems, use flat rooftops for organic food growth, and create co-op business and e-commerce ventures.  This is the subject of Marjorie Bard's initial book regarding the "hidden" homeless woman: SHADOW WOMEN: HOMELESS WOMEN'S SURVIVAL STORIES (Sheed & Ward, 1990), which was made into a film.  (The original fieldwork and academe years led to a doctoral dissertation at UCLA [1988].) Another published book which outlines the problems and solutions associated with homelessness, organizational development and community planning is ORGANIZATIONAL AND COMMUNITY RESPONSES TO DOMESTIC ABUSE AND HOMELESSNESS (Garland, 1994).   

In the 2000 era, we are aware of longtime working men over 50 who were-and-are victims of companies downsized/closed (with retirement benefits gone) or lay-offs due to out-sourcing, or the continuing bank failures, Wall St. and sub-prime scandals.  Many of these men are copying the strategies utilized successfully for years by women who simply understood how to survive.  In the 1970s, Dr. Bard discovered this subculture of the larger homeless population when forced into homelessness by a husband with serious problems, one of which was being a marital con man (4 wives in a row, Bard being #3).  Homeless hundreds of miles from her home, living out of her car on a deserted island, Bard began interviewing other women she noticed in nearby towns who were using the same survival strategies.  Out of her experiences grew extensive research regarding the root causes of and solutions to "homelessness."  For the stable homeless, there is no reason for homelessness.  There are alternatives that are "out of the box" but extremely viable.

There is an ongoing hunt for a philanthropist who will sponsor obtaining a dying small town to recast and become the model for others in all states. Why are the ultra-wealthy giving money made in the United States to other countries to solve their societal problems when we have very needy people only a matter of blocks from their mansions?  

I think that I have covered most of the alternative housing stratgies above, so I will leave that topic now and move on.  Questions are always welcome, and new ideas are needed.

JOBS: Traditional jobs have become memories for most homeless people.  Therefore, new means of creating an income are necessary.  The population of the people that I have been helping have had longtime jobs, know their skill sets, and usually have had hobbies.  (Women have been everything from housekeepers, child care experts, cooks, caterers, chauffeurs, home repairers, making clothing and selling crafts -- without any salary.)  Self-employment can be in one area, usually a known one, or with mobility, can be a challenge defined by the place one chooses to stay for any length of time.  The website http://www.studioclub.com/homeless/undetectablehomeless.htm has stories and photos from 2002 that relate to place(s) and job(s).  Some people find their ideal choice by accident, as in those who move to "the wilderness."  I have known women who have become hunters (trappers/catchers/chasers) and now have businesses that never would have occurred to them.  Flea market and craft faire dealers are common everywhere.  See the website on Studioclub.com for self-employment ideas.

HEALTH CARE:  If one has Medicare and a co-insurance plan, health care is less likely a problem.  A ticklish necessity may be a lack of recent medical charts, and certainly, the lack of an address or referral may cause a problem with some doctors, but if one can find a CRNP, s/he is more likely to provide low cost health care.  Boutique doctors are becoming more prevalent, but Community health centers and med schools provide preventive and some needed services.  Traveling health care is popular, especially in rural areas, and church health fairs favor days when the public can take advantage of check-ups. Rural and urban health care are vastly different, and will be discussed on the Sidebar Topics.

CORRUPTION: Maryland and Maine are examples of governors, attorneys generals, and senators/reps who allow preying on the elderly and disabled. Officials in Maine actually encourage (by not prosecuting) internet and email fraud by landlords who lie on the web about rental conditions, causing monetary loss and injuries which may lead to unemployment and homelessness. Photos of fraudulent rentals in Maine will be shown with towns and owners named. Why is Maine's Attorney General not elected or appointed, but selected by a secret ballot by the legislators? Why is Maryland's Board of Physicians allowed to protect victims of physicians -- with no Victim Advocates who do not just protect the state? There is an increase in cronyism and a lack of accountability.  Maybe all citizens, especially the disabled and elderly, who actually own the White House, should set up camp on the White House lawns and take the consequences.  In the aftermath, those alive would be jailed.  For some, that would mean a safe place to sleep with three meals a day, TV, and "friends" with solutions to share.  No citizen should die fighting for Constitutional rights -- but isn't that human and civil right granted in the Constitution?  Why are we so frightened to shout corruption?

Read the Sidebar topics for more information.  The Rural vs. Urban Healthcare topic is being investigated as suicides/early deaths have increased in rural areas where there is an "Old Boys' Club" for physician protection which deletes complaints by elderly and disabled patients.  The MD Board of Physicians refuses to sanction physician offenders, leaving many patients without any health care at all.   (This site will continue to be "in construction.")