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I don't know why homeless people don't break into every unused house and squat in it, especially in the winter.
Eventually, that's what's going to happen, as our society switches from a Trickle Down Economy to a Robin Hood Economy (take from the Rich, give to the poor). If the MAGAs and Dems don't want that, then they better get busy establishing a Trickle UP Economy.
Because a lot of the homes are uselessly far away for them. No job, no charity coverage, no panhandling opportunities. A house is of little comfort if you are hungry and can't get food.
Valid.
Yeah they do that in my city and neighborhood, unfortunately they often set the homes or apartment buildings on fire, using coffee cans full of gasoline as heat/light, or straight up cooking meth.
I wish homelessness were a problem so simple as "give them a home" but it's not. The original cause of their homelessness must be addressed for it to work. Strong safety nets must be in place, a strong welfare state, mental healthcare, training, substance abuse treatment.
Of course we could pay for that as a country but we're instead focused on multiplying the unimaginable fortunes of the ultra rich instead.
Housing first is just the most effective strategy. It doesn't solve everything, but it helps the most people fastest and is very cost effective
We have to fix a lot of things, but people focus on this because it's low hanging fruit
Housing the homeless just gets them to stop sleeping on benches temporarily. It helps YOU from seeing the "unsightly hobos" in ur community. It does not solve the core issues that their having a hard time participating in our society, and is a band aid solution. Homeless people either have mental issues that need mended, drug issues that need mended, or have fallen on hard times but still need not only a home but a job to hold down that will pay for their housing and food. If it was as simple as putting homeless up in houses we would have eradicated this issue decades ago if nothing to keep the bourgeoisie from having to see the poors. Without the means to maintain and upkeep their homes they will just end up on the street again in no time.
It doesn't displace them - it gives them a safe place to sleep and store their stuff. It gives them a way to stay clean and fit in with society. It gives them safety at night. It gives them a mailing address
It gives them a way back into society. It gives them basic dignity as a human.
I'm not saying homeless people have no other problems, or that we don't desperately need better mental health services and social safely nets... But the biggest problem for them is indeed that they don't have a home!
It's not rocket science. Housing first is extremely effective in practice, for the recipients first and foremost
Yes your right I suppose what I'm getting at is the whole give a man a fish saying. Yes for a lot of the homeless that step may be all they need I know homeless with jobs using other people they know addresses for work and bank accts and such but if you don't have anybody even that step can be insurmountable. Maslow's hierarchy and what not, shelter and food are pretty much ur most basic needs and anything more is useless without that. Add access to reasonable healthcare and perhaps homelessness could be solved.
You're confusing cause and effect. Usually people use drugs and have mental health issues because they are homeless. They're not homeless because they have those maladies. Homeowners weather those challenges just fine. And living on the street creates drug and mental health issues. If I had to sleep on the sidewalk, I sure as hell would want to be high all day. Wouldn't you?
A homeless drug addict is just a middle class drug addict with a smaller bank account balance.
Owning a home or otherwise having stable housing doesn't mean you don't have or can't develop debilitating mental health or drug issues. I've worked with many currently and previously high-functioning, well paid, housed individuals who have developed severe mental health or drug problems despite their economic security. Economic security and stable housing absolutely are protective factors which reduce the risk of developing such problems, but they don't eliminate genetic factors, trauma, unexpected economic hardships, etc.
Source: I work with people who have severe mental illness and addiction problems, most of whom are currently homeless.
Absolutely. The first step in solving the homeless problem is sorting out the people who are homeless because they are addicted or mentally ill, and those regular people who are homeless because the system failed them, and they found themselves without a roof. Many of those people were contributing members of society, with educations, even college degrees and careers, when society decided to stomp on them hard. They can easily be contributing citizens again, if someone would give them a hand until they can get their financial feet under them again.
Reminder: being mentally ill or addicted folks doesn't preclude someone from holding down a job and/or being a "regular" person. They might just need extra supports.
Source: have mental illness. Am mostly a regular person but need extra supports. Am currently holding down a job requiring an MS.
Valid, but I'm referring to those really unfortunate people who have serious issues like out-of-control, unmedicated schizophrenia. Those people are not going to integrate back into society without a lot of help, which they should absolutely get.
I'm just suggesting that there has to be a triage system, so that people get the help that they personally need, whether it's medical, psychiatric, or job related.
Ah, ok. It sounded like you were advocating for helping the "easy cases" and ignoring those that needed a bit more support.
Most of these houses are not in downtowns of big cities but in rural towns that are far away from everything. Not to mention, just because a unit is vacant that doesn't mean it's not being used.
because that's a crime.
Being homeless is also considered a “crime” in many places
This is MAGA America, there is no rule of law anymore, most people just haven't figured that out yet.
I know what you're getting at, but saying "there is no rule of law anymore" is a bit hyperbolic. The cops, at least in my city, are still arresting people. You make it seem like we can just do whatever we want now. This isn't The Purge.
Because cops kill people who do. There will be no "Robin Hood economy" without extreme violence.