For some folks, not having their phone with them is similar to being without a home. Has phonelessness become akin to homelessness?
Recently, I was speaking with my sweetheart, while she stressed the importance of having her smartphone at all times. Then one of my longtime friends misplaced his mobile phone and called from a landline to ask me to search in the rain for his phone. ☎️
Later, he texted me to say: I found the phone right where it was supposed to be in my bag. The Bluetooth in the car couldn’t dial the phone. So I thought it was lost What happened was the mango juice was shielding the phone from the car's Bluetooth, so it was like the phone was in a radio-proof pouch or wrapped in tinfoil or something. I am so happy I found it. It was like a bummer!!!!!
"Homeless" refers to a lack of stable housing, while "phoneless" refers to a lack of access to a mobile phone or other communication devices. While homelessness is a situation characterized by a lack of shelter, phonelessness can refer to a situation where individuals lack essential technology for communication and accessing resources.
One person said I am homeless, but don't have an iPhone. It's too expensive and doesn't make sense to buy that. I do have a phone, just a regular Samsung cellphone. I had it before I lost my place to live after 18 years living in the same place. It took my landlord dying unexpectedly, and I had nowhere to go anymore. Some factors make homeless people buy phones, though. Everyone needs a way to communicate these days. You need a phone to use the internet because, for those who can work filling out applications, most have to be done online these days, and you need an email address in a lot of cases. A boss needs to be able to get hold of you, too. You need a way to talk to others, whether it's a boss or someone else. You need to get hold of people. They need to get hold of you. Not everyone has a family that can or will help. What if there's an emergency? You may need it for other things as well. Many homeless people work or have incomes. They may have bought their phones, but wages are lower than the costs of living. If they took the money and got a place, for example, what makes you think that they will be able to afford to keep the place? Rent is high these days. I have an income, but I am disabled/handicapped and get a check because I am unable to work anymore.
The check is monthly, but not high enough to afford to get a place or keep up with the expensive costs of living. My phone was before I became homeless, as I mentioned earlier, and I can pay a monthly phone bill easily. It helps me get my doctor appointment, medicine, internet, and communicate with those I need to. I pay some of my bills online and check my account so I can be responsible and not overdraw my account or damage my credit. Future potential landlords check your credit, so do some jobs, believe it or not. Background checks are in more places than you know these days. If you're applying for assistance, you need a phone for the internet as well. Especially if you don't have a regular address. I use my internet for assistance. Even applying for other assistance or resources takes the internet and a phone number for them to talk to you if necessary. If you're on a waiting list, you need to be able to check progress. Especially if you can't drive or don't have transportation. You can't walk everywhere. If you have a lot of stuff, you can't drag it all with you if you have errands to run or responsibilities. It may not be possible to do it. I used to question the idea of a homeless person with a cellphone as well, but taking all the factors of individual situations, now it makes more sense to me. They are handy and helpful in multiple ways in your life these days. You don't have to have an iPhone, but most people need phones and internet access these days. Phone bills are affordable. Unfortunately, rent is not. More and more people are becoming homeless due to a lack of affordable housing and low wages versus the costs of living. “
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