9 ms·

They just aren't using it correctly. If there was a way to just give homeless people the 50k in a UBI esque way things would drastically improve. Unfortunately

They just aren't using it correctly. If there was a way to just give homeless people the 50k in a UBI esque way things would drastically improve. Unfortunately I don't believe something like that is practical unless it's done on a national level.

cronix 6y ago
If the majority of them weren't addicted to hardcore drugs and could make intelligent, rational decisions, I might agree that giving them money directly could be a good thing. Drug addicts tend to not make good monetary choices. See this recent documentary by KOMO News in Seattle about their problems, which are pretty similar to Portland's, SF's, LA's and a lot of other major cities with larger homeless populations. Crime is soaring. Most are homeless due to drug addiction. Until that part is solved and they can think clearly and rationalize normally again, giving them cash will likely only fuel the problem and keep them right where they're at. And with everyone walking around with $50k cash in their pocket, because they don't have bank accounts, crime would be even more rampant as they steal it from each other. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WijoL3Hy_Bw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WijoL3Hy_Bw
- thebean11 6y ago
  I think it's pretty obvious nobody is proposing giving homeless people 50k in cash, all at once.. I don't really buy that money would fuel the problem, is there any study that indicates that? They'd still be drug addicts, but they'd be more comfortable, well fed drug addicts which makes things better for everyone. If anything I think money for a place, clean clothes, and food would make it much easier to get off drugs.
paul_f 6y ago
Homelessness is a mental health problem and judges won't allow forced stays in mental institutions.
- thebean11 6y ago
  Yeah, and they shouldn't allow it. Not sure what this has to do with my comment though. Anyway, saying it's a mental health problem is really reductive. Plenty of people with the same problems aren't homeless; some of these people can potentially dig themselves out if given a chance, most importantly a place to live.

cronix 6y ago

If the majority of them weren't addicted to hardcore drugs and could make intelligent, rational decisions, I might agree that giving them money directly could be a good thing. Drug addicts tend to not make good monetary choices. See this recent documentary by KOMO News in Seattle about their problems, which are pretty similar to Portland's, SF's, LA's and a lot of other major cities with larger homeless populations. Crime is soaring. Most are homeless due to drug addiction. Until that part is solved and they can think clearly and rationalize normally again, giving them cash will likely only fuel the problem and keep them right where they're at. And with everyone walking around with $50k cash in their pocket, because they don't have bank accounts, crime would be even more rampant as they steal it from each other. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WijoL3Hy_Bw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WijoL3Hy_Bw

thebean11 6y ago
I think it's pretty obvious nobody is proposing giving homeless people 50k in cash, all at once.. I don't really buy that money would fuel the problem, is there any study that indicates that? They'd still be drug addicts, but they'd be more comfortable, well fed drug addicts which makes things better for everyone. If anything I think money for a place, clean clothes, and food would make it much easier to get off drugs.

paul_f 6y ago

Homelessness is a mental health problem and judges won't allow forced stays in mental institutions.

thebean11 6y ago
Yeah, and they shouldn't allow it. Not sure what this has to do with my comment though. Anyway, saying it's a mental health problem is really reductive. Plenty of people with the same problems aren't homeless; some of these people can potentially dig themselves out if given a chance, most importantly a place to live.