3 ms·

It seems clear to me that there are folks that don't have mental health problems but rather very different preferences. Some folks you just can't tell not to ke

It seems clear to me that there are folks that don't have mental health problems but rather very different preferences. Some folks you just can't tell not to keep moving around, and they also dislike working, at least in the types of work available, and would rather beg and scavenge. I'm not sure that scenario falls under any of the three categories, and not sure how to help it either. I think the line is also quite blurry between folks like this and those on hard times and with mental health problems, but there are folks on the other side who we shouldn't forget about or force into a system they don't want to be in.

themitigating 4y ago
This is the most eloquent summary of "bums are lazy". I propose it's highly unlikely that a person who is living on streets is doing so simply because they are lazy. Imagine freezing in the winter or sweating in the summer. How about worrying where you'll find food, staying safe from unstable people or maybe even well off people who attack/kill the homeless. Your claim is that this is a choice out of a laziness and not a mental disorder and/or an inability to get a job due to reasons outside of their control. What's also interesting is that if you claim it's their choice then not helping doesn't make you look bad.
- savanaly 4y ago
  I never claimed any of that stuff you said I did. Are you continuing some other conversation you had elsewhere where the person said something more extreme than what I did without realizing it?
elil17 4y ago
Four communities in the US have ended chronic homelessness: https://www.usich.gov/communities-that-have-ended-homelessness/ https://www.usich.gov/communities-that-have-ended-homelessne... This means that, if someone does become homeless in one of those communities, it is brief and one-time. The communities were able to achieve this by providing adequate shelters and housing assistance both before and after people lose their homes. They also used person-by-person outreach to make sure they found everyone who was homeless and got them housing. To me, it seems like that doesn't line up with the idea that some people are predisposed to chronic homelessness/resistant to getting housing.
scarmig 4y ago
Very different preferences can be mental health problems, in the sense that their mental state isn't compatible with a healthy society. Even if someone "really" prefers blocking sidewalks with all their worldly possessions and shitting on the streets, that's a problem.

themitigating 4y ago

This is the most eloquent summary of "bums are lazy". I propose it's highly unlikely that a person who is living on streets is doing so simply because they are lazy. Imagine freezing in the winter or sweating in the summer. How about worrying where you'll find food, staying safe from unstable people or maybe even well off people who attack/kill the homeless. Your claim is that this is a choice out of a laziness and not a mental disorder and/or an inability to get a job due to reasons outside of their control. What's also interesting is that if you claim it's their choice then not helping doesn't make you look bad.

savanaly 4y ago
I never claimed any of that stuff you said I did. Are you continuing some other conversation you had elsewhere where the person said something more extreme than what I did without realizing it?

elil17 4y ago

Four communities in the US have ended chronic homelessness: https://www.usich.gov/communities-that-have-ended-homelessness/ https://www.usich.gov/communities-that-have-ended-homelessne... This means that, if someone does become homeless in one of those communities, it is brief and one-time. The communities were able to achieve this by providing adequate shelters and housing assistance both before and after people lose their homes. They also used person-by-person outreach to make sure they found everyone who was homeless and got them housing. To me, it seems like that doesn't line up with the idea that some people are predisposed to chronic homelessness/resistant to getting housing.

scarmig 4y ago

Very different preferences can be mental health problems, in the sense that their mental state isn't compatible with a healthy society. Even if someone "really" prefers blocking sidewalks with all their worldly possessions and shitting on the streets, that's a problem.