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The issue isn't that the private companies providing solutions aren't good enough. Offloading these social services to for-profit companies incentivizes an abus

The issue isn't that the private companies providing solutions aren't good enough. Offloading these social services to for-profit companies incentivizes an abuse of the system for profitability quarter after quarter. They aren't incentivized to end homelessness. They're incentivized to charge local and state governments more money for less service. They're incentivized to place roadblocks for other solutions to be implemented. I can't speak for other cities, but in my city, our government is putting $90,000,000 towards tearing down one of the largest forests in our area to build a fake city to train police. All while our homeless population explodes & the only shelters available are volunteer-run and rely on donations. That $90,000,000 could house every homeless person in our city for 23 months, even at our current market rents. That would be more than ample time to provide employment services, therapy/mental health services, and time to build employment history, savings, and rental history to secure future private housing. Imagine what could be done with lower rental rates.

stevenicr 3y ago
I've seen a few news stories about that project, or skimmed headlines. Assuming this is the one in GA - and a quick DDG search tells me that another entire town down there, toomsboro is for sale for 2 mill.. I wonder what the thinking is.. and I am assuming it goes something like, this city spends a couple mill per year for training.. and this center will bring others here to train so there will be money brought in from outside the city - to the tune of 2 mill a year in tax / travel / etc.. So are they looking at this as an investment to get returns, like how they pitch fball stadiums? That would be a different calculation than just, an expense for 90 mill - when they could spend X here for this or that.. Not saying any of all that is right or wrong, just saying the issue may need to be framed differently. I had heard of study in Florida where the cost of homeless on the hospitals and other emergency services were calculated pretty high and if an investment was made for X per year for just housing it would of saved the city or state X power of 10 in money from healthcare spending.. Of course there would be forces opposed to saving money from going into the hospital coffers and what not - but that's a bigger story. My point is the need for advocates to speak in terms of investment and money saved is money earned, with real dollars and numbers. I am assuming this 'training city' was proposed in such a fashion, and not as en expense.

stevenicr 3y ago

I've seen a few news stories about that project, or skimmed headlines. Assuming this is the one in GA - and a quick DDG search tells me that another entire town down there, toomsboro is for sale for 2 mill.. I wonder what the thinking is.. and I am assuming it goes something like, this city spends a couple mill per year for training.. and this center will bring others here to train so there will be money brought in from outside the city - to the tune of 2 mill a year in tax / travel / etc.. So are they looking at this as an investment to get returns, like how they pitch fball stadiums? That would be a different calculation than just, an expense for 90 mill - when they could spend X here for this or that.. Not saying any of all that is right or wrong, just saying the issue may need to be framed differently. I had heard of study in Florida where the cost of homeless on the hospitals and other emergency services were calculated pretty high and if an investment was made for X per year for just housing it would of saved the city or state X power of 10 in money from healthcare spending.. Of course there would be forces opposed to saving money from going into the hospital coffers and what not - but that's a bigger story. My point is the need for advocates to speak in terms of investment and money saved is money earned, with real dollars and numbers. I am assuming this 'training city' was proposed in such a fashion, and not as en expense.