Asbestos Displaces Homeless Men
Mesa, Arizona’s East Valley Men’s Center/Margie’s Place had to close this week when asbestos fell from a rain-damaged roof. Residents were relocated to a makeshift residence in a tent erected on the property.
For the men who have lived under freeways or spent time in jail, the move to the tent didn’t seem all that bad, noted an article printed in the Arizona Republic. While the men are living in the tent - probably for about two weeks - the asbestos-ridden roof will be replaced, air conditioning will be installed for the first time, and a hodge-podge electrical system will be overhauled sometime during the next two months.
“I figure living in a tent for a little bit is great because we’re getting a new roof,” said Randy Brown, 22, a cook at a fast-food restaurant. “During the night, it’s going to be cool.”
Officials don’t believe the men were harmed by the falling asbestos chunks and the subsequent airborne asbestos dust, thanks to the haste in moving them to an alternate location. In addition, the men did not seem concerned about the asbestos mishap, even though the hazardous substance is known to cause asbestos cancer and other pulmonary problems.
Instead, the homeless men turned the move into something of a community project, pitching in to carry out beds and other belongings from the shelter to the tent.
“It’s good teamwork,” said 57-year-old resident L.D. Stokes, formerly of Chicago. “We all need each other anyway.”