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fwiw most homeless people have cell phones. this study says 95% https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/homeless-not-phoneless-askizzy-app-saving-socie

fwiw most homeless people have cell phones. this study says 95% https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/homeless-not-phoneless-askizzy-app-saving-societys-forgotten-smartphone-tech-users/ https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/homeless-not... I am unsure about bank accounts or any type of debit card, but im sure its still a relatively high number. especially if you include those are recently or temporarily unhoused.

fragmede 3y ago
Given than you need to have a credit score, money, and an address, to have a bank account, I wouldn't be so sure. Not a useful one, anyway. If the account is overdrawn and they're threatening to close your account, do you really have an account? America's unbanked is estimated at 4.5 percent across all of the US, but I'm willing to bet the majority of them also have housing issues and thus the homeless are a large percentage of the unbanked. It still costs money to have a bank account in the first place, with a few exceptions. For those that don't have much money in the first place, cash is prefereable to paying a monthly $4.95 fee. Giving someone a physical object is easy, whether it's a phone or cash. Giving them a bank account is a lot harder.
Quinzel 3y ago
I think it depends where in the world you live. Where I live most homeless people have bank accounts, and many even receive some kind of income - their income just isn’t enough to pay for housing. Also, homeless people can sometimes be homeless for other reasons such as family issues, or poor mental health. It’s a complex issue. So, I think QR codes for homeless might be the least of their worries. A lot of people who are living in deprivation are not thinking about long term goals, they’re thinking about survival today so a lot of their decisions and actions will be about what they need today. This makes it more difficult to overcome the challenges of being in deprivation. I was homeless for a short time when I was about 18 - I never begged though with street signs, I slept on different friends couches or floors at night. It was only for about 3 months, but every time I had money, I spent it on food. No long term thought processes were happening.
gregjor 3y ago
Article about homeless people in Australia. Does not mention 95% or any percentage, just "surprisingly common." Having a cell phone and prepaid minutes isn't the same thing as a smart phone with banking apps, and banks require an address to open an account.

fragmede 3y ago

Given than you need to have a credit score, money, and an address, to have a bank account, I wouldn't be so sure. Not a useful one, anyway. If the account is overdrawn and they're threatening to close your account, do you really have an account? America's unbanked is estimated at 4.5 percent across all of the US, but I'm willing to bet the majority of them also have housing issues and thus the homeless are a large percentage of the unbanked. It still costs money to have a bank account in the first place, with a few exceptions. For those that don't have much money in the first place, cash is prefereable to paying a monthly $4.95 fee. Giving someone a physical object is easy, whether it's a phone or cash. Giving them a bank account is a lot harder.

Quinzel 3y ago

I think it depends where in the world you live. Where I live most homeless people have bank accounts, and many even receive some kind of income - their income just isn’t enough to pay for housing. Also, homeless people can sometimes be homeless for other reasons such as family issues, or poor mental health. It’s a complex issue. So, I think QR codes for homeless might be the least of their worries. A lot of people who are living in deprivation are not thinking about long term goals, they’re thinking about survival today so a lot of their decisions and actions will be about what they need today. This makes it more difficult to overcome the challenges of being in deprivation. I was homeless for a short time when I was about 18 - I never begged though with street signs, I slept on different friends couches or floors at night. It was only for about 3 months, but every time I had money, I spent it on food. No long term thought processes were happening.

gregjor 3y ago

Article about homeless people in Australia. Does not mention 95% or any percentage, just "surprisingly common." Having a cell phone and prepaid minutes isn't the same thing as a smart phone with banking apps, and banks require an address to open an account.