New homeless?
I noticed something recently and I wonder if others have too, or if I’m just paying closer attention lately.
This past week I met a very kind man from Colombia who’s currently unhoused and waiting to hopefully get into the mission next week. I brought him dinner a few times, and because neither of us speaks much of the other’s language, our communication has been pretty limited. From what I gather, he recently arrived here, he doesn't have any forms of identification, he's extremely clean cut, and he would rather sleep in his tent on the sidewalk than go to Basecamp (until he can get into The Mission) because people there, in the park, and under the bridges are (his word) "loco".
Since then, I noticed several other unhoused individuals in the same areas I frequent daily who also appear to be Spanish-speaking, clean cut, and relatively newly arrived here. I know I obviously don’t have a full picture of the unhoused community, but it stood out enough that I found myself wondering if these are newcomers, or if I’m simply noticing something that’s always been present. If they are newcomers, how did that happen? Specifically to Bellingham?
I think the current climate has probably made me more aware and observant lately too. I’m mostly wondering if anyone else has noticed this or has any insight into what circumstances may have brought people here without much support or resources. If there are organizations, outreach groups, or ways the community can help, I’d genuinely love to know more.