My name is James Van Engen. I am a start-up e-business owner with disabilities and impairments, and have been homeless for approximately 20 years. I am well-educated and experienced in a variety of occupations and vocations including events, entertainment, hospitality, banking, construction, manufacturing, marketing, computing, and food service. I am also an accredited psychologist. Furthermore, I have worked in mail rooms, and understand the importance of successful  information systems.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were approximately 3,300 homeless shelters in the U.S.A., and approximately 4M homeless. There are 8M to 12M homeless (depending on our definitions as sheltered or not sheltered) in the U.S.A. post-pandemic and fewer homeless shelters, as well as social-distancing reducing the capacities of homeless shelters. The homeless community relies upon the option of using General Delivery, however, many government benefits websites reject General Delivery for mailings and conducting business, thus preventing the homeless from applying for and receiving government benefits. We’d like to request updates to government benefits websites to include a General Delivery option in the address fields. Thanks for your support!