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Is there any evidence that "helping" people by handing out free money actually results in good outcomes? Seems that it usually results in a bigger population of

by bdamm 5y ago

Is there any evidence that "helping" people by handing out free money actually results in good outcomes? Seems that it usually results in a bigger population of homeless, as they flock in from other parts of the country. Seriously, data-based evidence of how to help homeless populations that has actual real-world testing would be really useful. Vague "provide them help" seems to usually just translate into "spend non-specifically to feed and clothe people."

whimsicalism 5y ago
> Is there any evidence that "helping" people by handing out free money actually results in good outcomes? https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2021/06/01/hunger-has-declined-dramatically-across-america-in-the-past-year https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2021/06/01/hunger-h... > bigger population of homeless, as they flock in from other parts of the country This is the same population of homeless, not a larger one.
teawrecks 5y ago
Who said anything about handing out free money? We're talking about decriminalizing drugs here. But yes, as a country we absolutely have the funds available to fix the homeless problem and live in a much fairer/happier society. But we don't prioritize that over the freedoms of individuals to live excessively.
stormbrew 5y ago
I mean, there've been a lot of studies done on what works and doesn't work in practice for both homeless people and drug problems. If you want to look for that research I don't think it's particularly difficult to find tbh. Mostly, what works, according to empirical studies (housing first strategies, safe injection sites, etc), also tend to be politically unpalatable, even when it would be a lot cheaper. A medical system that doesn't bankrupt people for getting a broken arm would be a hell of a good start though.
astrange 5y ago
Yes, giving people money makes them richer. (that's how rich people exist, in fact, someone gave them a lot of money) Most homeless people in California were not bussed in, they're locals who lost their houses and now can't get them back. Some of them lost it due to drugs or mental illness, and some just developed a drug habit or a mental illness because being homeless is stressful.
- whimsicalism 5y ago
  This is certainly true for most homeless people in California. I wonder if it is true for the most visibly mentally ill people in the Bay Area, I am somewhat skeptical that they all grew up in SF.

by bdamm 5y ago

whimsicalism 5y ago

> Is there any evidence that "helping" people by handing out free money actually results in good outcomes? https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2021/06/01/hunger-has-declined-dramatically-across-america-in-the-past-year https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2021/06/01/hunger-h... > bigger population of homeless, as they flock in from other parts of the country This is the same population of homeless, not a larger one.

teawrecks 5y ago

Who said anything about handing out free money? We're talking about decriminalizing drugs here. But yes, as a country we absolutely have the funds available to fix the homeless problem and live in a much fairer/happier society. But we don't prioritize that over the freedoms of individuals to live excessively.

stormbrew 5y ago

I mean, there've been a lot of studies done on what works and doesn't work in practice for both homeless people and drug problems. If you want to look for that research I don't think it's particularly difficult to find tbh. Mostly, what works, according to empirical studies (housing first strategies, safe injection sites, etc), also tend to be politically unpalatable, even when it would be a lot cheaper. A medical system that doesn't bankrupt people for getting a broken arm would be a hell of a good start though.

astrange 5y ago

Yes, giving people money makes them richer. (that's how rich people exist, in fact, someone gave them a lot of money) Most homeless people in California were not bussed in, they're locals who lost their houses and now can't get them back. Some of them lost it due to drugs or mental illness, and some just developed a drug habit or a mental illness because being homeless is stressful.

whimsicalism 5y ago
This is certainly true for most homeless people in California. I wonder if it is true for the most visibly mentally ill people in the Bay Area, I am somewhat skeptical that they all grew up in SF.