First, as the flu season approached there was concern that Walmart shoppers would be at risk for the H1N1 flu virus. Now, with winter nearly here and only the ultra rich enjoying the jobless recovery, Walmart shoppers may face another reality: the homeless.

From 24/7 Wall Street:

There appears to be a rise in the number of homeless people and people who are mentally ill in the aisles and at the tables of America’s largest retailers, fast food coffee chains and restaurants. These establishments are often crowded enough or are in buildings that cover enough square feet so that a person could be lost, or to some extent hide in plain sight.

It is impossible to find how many people are homeless. Indigents move around and spend a great deal of their time trying not to be counted, noticed, arrested, or taken to shelters. The Urban Institute says 3.5 million Americans don’t have homes. That number would put the total at 1% of the US population. Some of these people are homeless for financial reasons. Some are mentally ill. Some left their homes because of domestic abuse. The list of reasons that people live on the streets or in shelters is long.

Walmart, given it’s pitiful urban strategy may actual dodge this bullet to a certain extent but it’s commitment to staying open 24/7, at least until after the holiday shopping season, may offset any benefit it has by being primarily a rural and suburban presence

Nearly two years ago I wrote about a discarded Walmart being turned into an evacuation shelter. I thought that was a good idea and even then referred to the building as a homeless shelter. I did not contemplate that open Walmarts could take on the same mantle.

Walmart employees are in no way prepared to deal with an influx of people who only pretend to shop. This is clearly demonstrated by the likes of teenagers who actually turn spending 24 hours in a Walmart into a challenge.

The vast majority of homeless people are not identifiable as such and even the small percentage that are mentally ill are often adept at disguising their condition.

How long will it be before someone publishes Living At Walmart, A Guide For the Homeless. Lowell Ganz has the notes.
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Jeff Hess: Have Coffee Will Write.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 1407 by Jeff Hess and is filed under Walmart. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.