4 ms·
People need to have it at least slightly together mentally to successfully rent a place, even if they have money. It seems like it would be more effective to pr
by Crake 13y ago
People need to have it at least slightly together mentally to successfully rent a place, even if they have money. It seems like it would be more effective to provide the housing directly, given that inability to do this is part of why they are homeless in the first place (especially true in the case of mentally ill homeless). Many homeless have attributes that make them a turnoff to landlords, so even with a basic income, they might still end up on the streets.
- Crito 13y agoThat is a more reasonable response, since it actually addresses the idea. Anyway, there is certainly room for, and a need for, specialized social programs in a basic income scheme. However a major benefit of [basic income|negative income tax] is that they have the potential to prevent homelessness (particularly when coupled with universal healthcare). In theory basic income would greatly reduce the strain on specialized programs; the fewer people who become and stay homeless for long periods of time because of basic income, the fewer people need to be serviced by programs such as Utah's. Basic income treats an underlying cause (income inequality) instead of treating a symptom (people without homes). It may be necessary to stabilize the patient by treating the symptoms in the short term, but that only goes so far.
- aeturnum 13y agoIt's true that those same qualities may make them poor fits for this program. I don't know the details, but I'm sure there are rules about the housing (you can't damage it, etc) that may be barriers to some of the target population living in it. Many of the people who would have trouble paying rent every month will also have trouble staying within the rules of state-provided housing.