The Squat

Where do I go to the bathroom?

I know some are going to terribly offended by this image. Nevertheless, let me tell you a story, please:

I was taking pictures of a semi-abandoned building that had become a squat for the homeless, when one of those who lived there asked what I was taking pictures for. After I told him, his response was, "Come with me." Entering a small room, "This is our bathroom. It's all we have. We try to keep it clean (note the plastic baggies)." He went on, "Every place chases us out when we try to use their restroom."

Following up on that, I asked around at a few of the nearby public places, like a coffee shop, a restaurant, and a grocery store. They all said, "No," to my question, "the homeless are not allowed to use their restrooms." One went as far as to say he calls the police when a homeless person tries to use his store's restroom.

Now, I know there are two legitimate sides to this story. It is easy — quite understandable — to see the dilemma that store owners have. Nevertheless, I hope you can also see the dilemma facing those homeless who have no restroom to use. In fairness, I will say that some store owners do indeed allow the homeless to use their restroom. But apparently, not enough. Which raises the question, what is city -- any city -- doing to meet the restroom needs of the homeless. Some cities are trying. Some are doing nothing.

We must not forget, to do nothing creates a health risk, not only for the homeless, but also for the entire city.

I will be the first to admit that I don't have a perfect answer to the problem, but a solution does need to be found, even if only for a selfish reason: our health.