Reply to absolutely absurd article on homeless encampment clearing on 17th st NW/Safeway

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I can't believe you all live around this. That article says an example of an injustice against the homeless was a cafe trying to clear an encampment so they could actually have outdoor seating for their customers. What is it you all are trying to achieve? Drug addicts shooting up wherever?[/quote]

What are you trying to achieve? Where do you think the people should live?[/quote]

In some kind of dwelling where they follow social norms and contribute to society.[/quote]

What's the best way to get there?  Kick them and trash their stuff?  Or offer them a hand up?[/quote]

But DC is already quite generous in offering them a hand up. Many just refuse those services because shelters for example come with rules like no drugs.[/quote]

I don't mean this to be rude or mean, but that's a pretty superficial understanding of what is offered and what that means for someone.

But let's take that example anyway: why is it the right policy to say 'no drugs' as a condition for an addict?  Do you think many addicts are going to say 'ok then no more drugs for me'?  It's why 'housing first' approaches are so much more successful.

Now consider all the other barriers there are to DC's 'great services'.  Do you have ID/documents?  Many don't.  How about the risk of COVID in a congregate setting?  The risk of getting your things stolen?

If you actually spent time with people in that situation and really cared about them then you'd see we aren't providing such great services.  Some things are good and getting better, but it's not enough.[/quote]

So you'd like us to pay for regular housing, (not a shelter with conditions)  next to families and neighbors'rs, so people can do drugs? Do you know any addicts and what they are like? Treatment first yes, housing first no.[/quote]

I hope this isn't a surprise to you, but people in houses also do drugs. You just don't see it as much.  Treatment first just doesn't work.[/quote]

Apparently, those people can keep it together enough to pay rent or a mortgage and not get kicked out by family or housemates. Drug addled street urchins do not *deserve* housing paid for with my very hard-earned income.

[/quote]

You are asking us to pay to house hard drug addicts in regular housing (because shelters won't do). You are not considering the nuisance they will bring to their new living situation, the friends they will bring round, or the disturbance, unkemptness or danger they may cause. I am fine with paying for a shelter, treatment facility or mental health facility. I have zero obligation to provide "housing first" for someone who doesn't like shelters because they have rules.[/quote]

+1[/quote]

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