5 ms·

For those who want to read an expose on the nomadic and way underpaid, I'd suggest checking out Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich. (actually, anything she

For those who want to read an expose on the nomadic and way underpaid, I'd suggest checking out Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich. (actually, anything she writes is phenomenal). This whole living in your car and being nomadic is hardly new to America. I saw it when I was traveling the USA from 2001 to 2007 or so. As I tell anyone, the only reason Los Angeles can have so many gyms is because the working homeless needs to take a shower too. On the one hand, I'm glad that this topic is getting more attention, but I'm uncomfortable with the thought that Amazon is the poster child for this, when they are one of the few companies that has low wage workers working full time, which is very rare in this day of required health care.

sjg007 9y ago
I agree it is weird. It is also sad that as a society we can't take care of our elders. With respect to insurance, some of these workers are over age 65 so they get Medicare. What's interesting is that the article describes "Don Wheeler" a former software exec who lost everything in the '08 crash as well as his Berkeley house to his ex-wife. For the HN softare crowd who worry about a career as they get older, this is close to home. That being said he may have unique circumstances but still... I think people also underestimate the financial impact of divorce.
- ShabbosGoy 9y ago
  Yeah, I’d love to take care of the people who mortgaged my future away for a few more dollars. Entitlement programs need to be cut ASAP and supplanted by UBI. Especially so for the boomers who wrecked my country.
  - mathgeek 9y ago
    > Yeah, I’d love to take care of the people who mortgaged my future away for a few more dollars. You're going to really enjoy the irony when you realize what we're currently doing to the next generation's world as well.
    - ShabbosGoy 9y ago
      Automation is an evil I can live with. At least it’s fair.
- dizzystar 9y ago
  It hits all ages full-force. The person serving you coffee, cooking your food, ringing up your groceries, are all part-time and can't get full-time. Yeah, a lot of them are homeless. At the end of the day, no one is going to help them.
  - tomjen3 9y ago
    Can't get full time because that means the company have to pay for health benefits. That one was totally predictable and could have been solved by making part time employment provide part of the benefits.
    - maxerickson 9y ago
      Or just punitively tax all in kind benefits. There's no good policy reason to make it advantageous for businesses to provide compensation that the recipient can't spend or sell.
janesvilleseo 9y ago
I don’t live on the west coast, but I know that housing is ridiculously expensive and nobody wants to build housing. Atleast in the San Francisco area. Anyways, crazy idea. Why not build a parking garage with a few amenities to cater to these van dwellers. I’m sure there are permitting issue, but it might be easier.
- dizzystar 9y ago
  A lot of church parking lots let car dwellers sleep there. LA has fairly loose rules about parking and sleeping (I get that impression walking around north of Hollywood Blvd). I suppose it depends on where you are. You can't park in Beverly Hills, I'm sure. EDIT to add: Rent in Los Angeles can be quite reasonable, though out of reach of the single minimum wage worker. With a dual income, it's possible. The problem is good credit and proof of long-term employment. The move-in costs is absurd.
jimmaswell 9y ago
I wish temporarily living in your car was more acceptable. I'd somewhat rather do that right now than have to hop between airbnb places while I'm looking for a real apartment by my new job. If I had a van or something I'd do it but it's just a normal car that would be too conspicuous.

sjg007 9y ago

I agree it is weird. It is also sad that as a society we can't take care of our elders. With respect to insurance, some of these workers are over age 65 so they get Medicare. What's interesting is that the article describes "Don Wheeler" a former software exec who lost everything in the '08 crash as well as his Berkeley house to his ex-wife. For the HN softare crowd who worry about a career as they get older, this is close to home. That being said he may have unique circumstances but still... I think people also underestimate the financial impact of divorce.

ShabbosGoy 9y ago
Yeah, I’d love to take care of the people who mortgaged my future away for a few more dollars. Entitlement programs need to be cut ASAP and supplanted by UBI. Especially so for the boomers who wrecked my country.
- mathgeek 9y ago
  > Yeah, I’d love to take care of the people who mortgaged my future away for a few more dollars. You're going to really enjoy the irony when you realize what we're currently doing to the next generation's world as well.
  - ShabbosGoy 9y ago
    Automation is an evil I can live with. At least it’s fair.
dizzystar 9y ago
It hits all ages full-force. The person serving you coffee, cooking your food, ringing up your groceries, are all part-time and can't get full-time. Yeah, a lot of them are homeless. At the end of the day, no one is going to help them.
- tomjen3 9y ago
  Can't get full time because that means the company have to pay for health benefits. That one was totally predictable and could have been solved by making part time employment provide part of the benefits.
  - maxerickson 9y ago
    Or just punitively tax all in kind benefits. There's no good policy reason to make it advantageous for businesses to provide compensation that the recipient can't spend or sell.

janesvilleseo 9y ago

I don’t live on the west coast, but I know that housing is ridiculously expensive and nobody wants to build housing. Atleast in the San Francisco area. Anyways, crazy idea. Why not build a parking garage with a few amenities to cater to these van dwellers. I’m sure there are permitting issue, but it might be easier.

dizzystar 9y ago
A lot of church parking lots let car dwellers sleep there. LA has fairly loose rules about parking and sleeping (I get that impression walking around north of Hollywood Blvd). I suppose it depends on where you are. You can't park in Beverly Hills, I'm sure. EDIT to add: Rent in Los Angeles can be quite reasonable, though out of reach of the single minimum wage worker. With a dual income, it's possible. The problem is good credit and proof of long-term employment. The move-in costs is absurd.

jimmaswell 9y ago

I wish temporarily living in your car was more acceptable. I'd somewhat rather do that right now than have to hop between airbnb places while I'm looking for a real apartment by my new job. If I had a van or something I'd do it but it's just a normal car that would be too conspicuous.