What to do about Homelessness

1. 84

   My Esotericposted 13 months ago

   I haven't got used to the new term, "unhoused".  I am not sure of the distinction so maybe somebody can educate me.
   
   In any case, it is a major humanitarian problem in the United States. On any given night, 650,000 people cannot find shelter. Consequently, they set up their own places to live, sometimes in locations close to where they work.  Speaking of work, most homeless have jobs. The problem is they just can't afford to live under a roof. One example in the article below is a lady who wants to be close to the houses she cleans but can't afford to live in; it is a myth pushed by the right-wing that most homeless do not want to work. 
   
   I feel for the cities who have to deal with this, it is a no-win situation.  Grant's Pass, OR is one of so many cities around the nation who want to make being homeless a crime.  It comes under the guise of ticketing or arresting people who sleep where the city says they can't, which is usually anywhere withing the city limits.  They say this is being fair because they will ticket anybody, not just the homeless.
   
   Los Angeles, on the other hand, is trying to figure out how to get shelter for these people.  That is two sides of the same coin.
   
   This link is about a Supreme Court challenge where the petitioners are using the Eight Amendment to claim the ticketing is "cruel and unusual punishment" for someone who has no choice.  They look back to a previous Court ruling that said simply being addicted to drugs is not a crime.
   
   I am very cynical about this Court and I would not be surprised if the Conservative majority finds a way to overturn that precedence along with all the others they didn't like and find that being an addict or being homeless IS a crime.
   
   https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/21/politics … index.html

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2. 84

   Nathanvilleposted 13 months ago

   Wow – that is a big problem – 650,000 Americans can’t find shelter.
   
   About 280,000 people are homeless in the UK (279,390 in 2023), but most are living in temporary accommodation; only a small fraction live on the streets, about 4,000 people sleeping on the streets (4,068 in 2023).
   
   Sad to say that the UK Conservative Government is going down the same path as ‘Grant’s Pass’ and other cities in the USA, in trying to make rough sleeping on the streets illegal; but it’s doubtful that the UK Government will succeed, not only because around 40 of their own Conservative politicians in the House of Commons have already stated that they will rebel against their own Government, but also, with a General Election coming up later this year, and with the Conservatives poor performances in the opinion polls, and with the Local Elections coming up on the 2nd May when the Conservatives are expected to lose around 50% of their seats due for re-election in local government – there is some anticipation that the Conservative Government may go into melt down after a disastrous result in the 2nd May Local Election, and be forced to call an early snap General Election in July – the bookies odds for a July General Election is currently 9/1 for those who like gambling! 
   
   UK: 40 Conservative MPs (politicians) vow to oppose the Conservative Government Bill illegalising rough sleeping on the streets. https://youtu.be/dvOwYkA-DYE

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   1. 84

      My Esotericposted 13 months agoin reply to this

      Thank you, Arthur.  Y'all seem to have a very complex election process, lol.

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3. 72

   Kathleen Cochranposted 13 months ago

   A problem in Atlanta is the number of people who either do not want to go to a shelter or are afraid (for good reason) of going to one.

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   1. 70

      Ken Burgessposted 13 months agoin reply to this

      Stop bringing in millions of migrants, many of whom have been released from jails throughout central and south America to be sent here.
      
      Importing millions more people than we have homes or jobs for does not solve the problems other parts of the world may be having, it only ensures that America become over-whelmed by those problems.
      
      Also... start enforcing the law instead of allowing for illegal activities to prosper and be rewarded.
      
      NYC Stores Surrender To Thieves
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0KNORG5j-A

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      1. 84

         My Esotericposted 13 months agoin reply to this

         I see you buy Lying Trump's BS hook, line, and sinker.

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         1. 71

            abwilliamsposted 13 months agoin reply to this

            Oh so what this discussion is really all about, is Trump-bashing a little more? Newsflash, the word on the street is that Biden is the President. Although he hasn't honored his duties of protecting this Nation! The count is now, over 10.5 million illegals which have crossed over our border. We don't know who these people are or why they are here. We certainly aren't safe! We are no longer sovereign, how could we be?
            Squatters are living rent free in other people's homes, refusing to leave, others are being taken care of by the federal government, their every need provided for!! Stores are closing down left and right, because criminals (either legal or illegal) are feeling entitled to take whatever they want, whenever  they want!
            Perhaps the homeless are illegals who don't want to be identified and helped, by the Gov, due to their real motives for being here!!
            It's a real crisis out there in the streets of America, thanks to Joe Biden, useless Progressives, destructive Democrats and too many pathetic Republicans!
            
            But, whomever is first to this discussion with common sense answers...and facts, get pounced on, is that how this is supposed to work!?
            You can't handle the truth!

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            1. 93

               MizBejabbersposted 13 months agoin reply to this

               "Perhaps the homeless are illegals who don't want to be identified and helped, by the Gov, due to their real motives for being here!!"
               
               This statement really takes the cake! I worked in downtown Little Rock from 1975 halfway through 2017, and I saw a lot of homeless people. I was approached by many on the street starting with local alcoholics early on, and progressing into sober singles and families with a few alcoholics thrown in. I NEVER saw a homeless person who resembled an illegal alien. Maybe I wouldn't know an illegal alien if I saw one, but I suspect you are pointing to Hispanics and Asians with this accusation so there may be a few now who resemble these people in other cities. However, when I go into downtown Little Rock now, the homeless that I see are still of our two major races, Caucasian and African American. Most of the Hispanics I see are hard working people whether they are illegal, legal, or native citizens of this country. I see a lot of them, too because they are usually on rooftops (roofers) or with a lawn service beautifying somebody's lawn.

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               1. 71

                  abwilliamsposted 13 months agoin reply to this

                  I am so sorry to burst your bubble, but there are illegals coming into this Country for one purpose and one purpose only - to do harm!
                  I didn't say that all illegals are here to do harm and I didn't  say that only illegals are homeless.

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                  1. 84

                     My Esotericposted 13 months agoin reply to this

                     There are a much higher percentage of native-born who are already here doing us much more harm than the few (relatively speaking) illegals you are talking about.
                     
                     Personally, I worry about our home-grown right-wing militia (and now the militant faction of our home-grown left-wing antisemites) more than your illegals.  What do you have to say about those people?

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                     1. 71

                        abwilliamsposted 13 months agoin reply to this

                        I say to that...  any American citizen or illegal, who publicly wishes death upon their neighbor or this Nation (if found guilty) should be locked up, the key thrown away.
                        If they follow through.... nothing short of execution!

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            2. 84

               My Esotericposted 13 months agoin reply to this

               When the bashing of an obvious threat to our democracy is deserved, I will bash that person, even it is Trump.
               
               BTW, is it "bashing" when one speaks the truth?  It is true that Trump is a serial liar of the worst kind, lies that actually can hurt people.  It is true, that what Trump says about migrants is BS.

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               1. 71

                  abwilliamsposted 13 months agoin reply to this

                  There's BS alright and you have fallen for it hook, line and sinker!

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4. 91

   Venkatachari Mposted 13 months ago

   I feel concerned for those poor beings. But can't think of any solution other than constructing homes (even a single-room shelter) for them. It is the best option left for the Governments.

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