Homeless situation.... (1 Viewer)

[Jeff Miller]

Just read an article where the current homeless in LA (Los Angelas) number 60K.

Holy sheet!!!!

I know we have our issues, and I feel so bad for all involved (the homeless, the city, those charged to fix it, the tourists who have to avoid them).

Question for you, and take out any political bias.....just you as “King of New Orleans” ......how would you fix it here at home?

I don't feel bad for the homeless. Most of them here in Portland are lazy drug addicts that have burned every friend and family bridge they had, and live in utter filth.

My solution, bring back the work farms. there is plenty of land away from cities and towns you can setup a tent city, and have the people who live their work a farm to raise and eat food, and keep their living area clean and maintained. If your caught squatting on public property, ship them off to the work farm. Stop making being homeless so easy and it will go away.

 

[Jeff Miller]

Finland went all in on the "Pathways Model" and have essentially eliminated homelessness in their nation. An interesting read about it here:

Finland's homeless crisis nearly solved. How? By giving homes to all who need.

The optimal solution, a group of four experts appointed by the Ministry of the Environment found, was Housing First. “Solving social and health problems is not a prerequisite for arranging housing,” they observed. “Instead, housing is a prerequisite that will also enable solving a homeless person’s other problems.”

Yeh, we tried the public housing project solution, didn't work out that well.

 

[Tapxe]

How old are you? Or, how long have you been a working adult?

I am 50 and got my first job while still in high school at the local grocery. I worked 3 part time jobs during the summers. That got me spending money to date and go out on the weekends after work.

I was burnt out on school when it came to college and just floated around until I decided I needed some discipline.

Now, I'm a veteran who spent the invasion of Panama in a basic training barracks listening to the planes land the wounded at night.

I parlayed my electronics training into computer work and have been in a combination of private contracting and government work for the last 2+ decades.

Lastly I'll say, I lament that the people that I served this nation for are so divided and mistreated by the institutions that benefit from their efforts. Life is about much more than working all day to barely be able to provide healthcare and a roof for your loved ones.

 

[Tapxe]

And why is it that the vast majority need to live a small economic lifestyle while a few hundred get to live with yachts, private country clubs, and hookers on international flights?

Maybe those others need less so others can have more opportunity.

 

[MTDB1983]

And why is it that the vast majority need to live a small economic lifestyle while a few hundred get to live with yachts, private country clubs, and hookers on international flights?

Maybe those others need less so others can have more opportunity.

Because, as a former soldier you know, it comes down to discipline. You can have that lifestyle. It may take a while. It may even take a massive amount of work and ingenuity. But it’s possible.

But surely we haven’t gone from Wal Mart not paying even a livable wage, to why can’t everyone be a multi-millionaire?

 

[farfromsilent]

If I ever get the chance, I'm partying with you...

Well I'm honestly not as fun as I sound in that regard lol. I really only partake in marijuana.

 

[farfromsilent]

we could, and fairly easily
we just don't

And how does that discount what I said? All I said is that we should take care of those in need in our own country first, then worry about importing those in need from other countries. Our only responsibility is to our own citizens.

 

[farfromsilent]

I don't feel bad for the homeless. Most of them here in Portland are lazy drug addicts that have burned every friend and family bridge they had, and live in utter filth.

My solution, bring back the work farms. there is plenty of land away from cities and towns you can setup a tent city, and have the people who live their work a farm to raise and eat food, and keep their living area clean and maintained. If your caught squatting on public property, ship them off to the work farm. Stop making being homeless so easy and it will go away.

I was kind of with you until you suggested forcing them onto work farms. I do think you are vastly overlooking the impact of mental illness. That plays a huge part in their addictions.

 

[MTDB1983]

@jboss curious to hear what about my post made you give me a clown emoji. Nice and open respectable convo welcome.

 

[crosswatt]

Is this something you want to propose at the state level, or the federal level?

On a city level, as it's typically a few cities in a given state that have a higher homeless population. But I would certainly look for state and federal dollars to help get the program off of the ground. Which I think is feasible as it will be expensive to start, but will end up being a net savings in the long run.

 

[crosswatt]

first step.

spend money where its truely needed. throwing money at a problem is not always a fix.

I agree the homeless need to be taken care of in this country, but its not as simple as giving them a home.
there is electricity, water, upkeep. It is not a small task that will be pricey. then comes into play the number of mental health issues that exist in the homeless community that would have to be dealt with also. Mental health took a huge financial hit a few years ago, so now back to the original problem. We need to stop spending money where its not necessary. to clarify , Im not saying we should not put money into the homeless. Im saying the opposite. There are other topics that our gov. throws money around wastefully.

let me ask you a question. As a law enforcement officer, if you are required to do a welfare check on a person, wouldn't it be easier if you have an address where they're supposed to be at? Would it take less I'm terms of police force resources to have a place to find them most of the time?

Extrapolate that to Health and Human services. Drug and/or mental health counseling. Medical treatment.

We're going to be spending money regardless. The other way didn't really work out. Why not try this method and see where it takes us?

 

[crosswatt]

Yeh, we tried the public housing project solution, didn't work out that well.

I don't think it's the same thing here at all. And I take it you didn't bother to read the article.

 

[MTDB1983]

On a city level, as it's typically a few cities in a given state that have a higher homeless population. But I would certainly look for state and federal dollars to help get the program off of the ground. Which I think is feasible as it will be expensive to start, but will end up being a net savings in the long run.

I’m a big believer in States rights. If this is something you want done at the city level, I would support you wanting that. I think city and state government should have plenty of freedom to exercise such programs and projects. Where we will butt heads is when you start trying to force it at the federal level and make me spend my hard earned money on it.

There is almost nothing I would stand in the way of at the city and state level. Anything politically that I argue over is almost entirely at the Fed level.

 

[guidomerkinsrules]

And how does that discount what I said? All I said is that we should take care of those in need in our own country first, then worry about importing those in need from other countries. Our only responsibility is to our own citizens.

bc it's being framed as a resource issue - -it's not
it's an issue of political will (and propaganda)
both can be addressed at the same time

 

[guidomerkinsrules]

Where we will butt heads is when you start trying to force it at the federal level and make me spend my hard earned money on it.

you're already spending your money on the homeless problem
10x more than you would be spending on the solutions