4 ms·

Besides the pure cost savings of public services, I'd love to know about the second-order economics effects: the growth of the tax base, the founding of more sm

Besides the pure cost savings of public services, I'd love to know about the second-order economics effects: the growth of the tax base, the founding of more small businesses and the increase in economic activity due to people (rightly or wrongly) feeling safer on the streets. One can imagine startups run by former homeless who have a unique perspective due to their experiences, or who have discovered inexpensive solutions to problems, or who simply would be the type to start a company if they hadn't hit some bad luck at some point.

jonah 13y ago
Or even the (previously) homeless people contributing directly by being able to get jobs and pay taxes. I've talked with more than a few folks who not having a place to shower, keep clean un-wrinkled clothes, and receive mail is holding them back from getting anything more than the most menial job if any.
- Mz 13y ago
  Yes, getting mail is a big deal on the street. I have a list of options here: http://sandiegohomelesssurvivalguide.blogspot.com/2013/04/mail-and-mailing-address-options.html http://sandiegohomelesssurvivalguide.blogspot.com/2013/04/ma... Some are specific to San Diego and are homeless service centers that offer a mailing address as one of their services. But some are not. If you have state ID and a voter registration card, you can get a paid mailbox from a place like Mailboxes, Etc. Since you know this is an issue, you could try putting together a listing of local resources (and borrow ideas from that page) and give out "business cards" with the info. Getting info on the street can be very challenging, especially when you first hit the street. (Just thinking out loud. No pressure. Honest.) (I cannot really help with the other issues. I am pursuing freelance work and other options and I am often mistaken for middle class. So a) I kind of "blend" somewhat and b) I am not applying for a job.)
  - jonah 13y ago
    Good points. Another issue which I hadn't considered until talking with a 50-ish homeless guy recently was language. His first (and only) language is English and while he was picking up work at a temp agency (and sleeping on their front doorstep) not being able to speak Spanish and communicate with co-workers in the class of work he was going for (hotel cleaning, dishwashing, landscaping, demolition, etc.) prevented him from getting/keeping a lot of jobs...

jonah 13y ago

Or even the (previously) homeless people contributing directly by being able to get jobs and pay taxes. I've talked with more than a few folks who not having a place to shower, keep clean un-wrinkled clothes, and receive mail is holding them back from getting anything more than the most menial job if any.

Mz 13y ago
Yes, getting mail is a big deal on the street. I have a list of options here: http://sandiegohomelesssurvivalguide.blogspot.com/2013/04/mail-and-mailing-address-options.html http://sandiegohomelesssurvivalguide.blogspot.com/2013/04/ma... Some are specific to San Diego and are homeless service centers that offer a mailing address as one of their services. But some are not. If you have state ID and a voter registration card, you can get a paid mailbox from a place like Mailboxes, Etc. Since you know this is an issue, you could try putting together a listing of local resources (and borrow ideas from that page) and give out "business cards" with the info. Getting info on the street can be very challenging, especially when you first hit the street. (Just thinking out loud. No pressure. Honest.) (I cannot really help with the other issues. I am pursuing freelance work and other options and I am often mistaken for middle class. So a) I kind of "blend" somewhat and b) I am not applying for a job.)
- jonah 13y ago
  Good points. Another issue which I hadn't considered until talking with a 50-ish homeless guy recently was language. His first (and only) language is English and while he was picking up work at a temp agency (and sleeping on their front doorstep) not being able to speak Spanish and communicate with co-workers in the class of work he was going for (hotel cleaning, dishwashing, landscaping, demolition, etc.) prevented him from getting/keeping a lot of jobs...