Reply to Noticable reduction in homeless and tents in DC, what about libaries and metro?

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Reply to "Noticable reduction in homeless and tents in DC, what about libaries and metro?"

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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][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I mean it's not just about being unsightly. It's because addiction thrives in these tent cities. New people get addicted because others share drugs or sell to them there.

I don't think we should allow people to live on public streets. And yes, there are shelters available. It just isn't what they want. [/quote]

There are many legitimate reasons why some homeless people don’t want to live in a shelter. Until we find ourselves in the shoes of homeless people, perhaps we shouldn’t judge them.

Some reasons homeless individuals avoid shelters:

- Safety risks (violence, theft, harassment)
- Lack of privacy (shared spaces)
- Health/hygiene issues (bedbugs, illness exposure)
- Substance use restrictions
- Mental health/trauma triggers
- Pet or partner restrictions
- Inaccessibility (location, capacity, eligibility)
- Negative past experiences (mistreatment, discrimination)
- Bureaucratic barriers (intake processes, religious affiliations)[/quote]

Well, sorry, but they don't get to just live wherever they wish. Accept help and/or get clean, live with family or friends, get a job, pay rent etc. If not possible, then they have to do what's offered.[/quote]

If it was easy to get clean, people would do it.  We all know rich addicted losers who would be out on the street if not for their family safety net.  Some people don't have that safety net.  It doesn't make them better or worse than other addicts.  And people like you throwing out all these so-called options as if nobody else has ever thought of them is  the height of stupidity.  You don't want to help people, you just don't want to see them.  I feel sorry for people like you.[/quote]

PP here. Nope, ypu have not described me. I work with a volunteer group to help unhoused individuals access resources and social security benefits. Some in my own family have struggled with depression and alcohol. I still say you can't just let people live on the street because they don't want to take meds, be housed with others, be confined, etc. It's not a suitable health option for them or the general public and is not about wanting them out of sight. [/quote]

If you actually work with this population (in a hands-on way- not on some charity Board), what do you think you have written that is helpful?  What is the "suitable health option" that is going to work?  [/quote]

Take each one to an evaluation center. Discuss options. If they refuse help (including medications if needed) from family or city services, then longterm hospitalization. Bribv back mental institutions. Not an option to live on the streets. [/quote]

This level of infrastructure and services doesn't exist.  Setting aside the civil liberties issues, you want the government to raise taxes for all of this, and hire the personnel to implement it?  This isn't a real answer...[/quote]

No way would this cost more than running homeless shelters and paying $$$&& to these organizations that help the homeless. [/quote]

Correct. Instead of paying dozens of non-profits to implement half-baked schemes, the government should run and staff the facilities. Get rid of the overhead of all those disparate organizations.[/quote]

I agree. It’s shocking what many of these orgs spend on building public restrooms, outreach to the homeless, etc.

Mental institutions could cost a lot less than prisons. There’s no need for that much security or guards. But similar facilities with outdoor spaces, cafeterias, and sleeping rooms. Or look at how rehabs work. [/quote]

But you would have to pay healthcare professionals and have specialized rooms/equipment and provide healthcare or pay for/coordinate access to healthcare.  This wouldn't be like setting up a dorm or a barracks.

And you would need guards.

I have to wonder, are you familiar with the history of these institutions and the reasons for their closures?  They aren't easy to run, like some people on this board keep insisting.   And I have no idea why you think it wouldn't be that expensive.  Especially if people will be there longterm.  You realize you have to meet people's medical needs when they are in custody or institutions right?[/quote]

One of the biggest problems for these people is the lack of a structured treatment environment. No, living on the street in a tent doesn't count. And now, I am confused. You don't want the homeless to have healthcare now?[/quote]

No I was listing all the reasons why it's not like booking people into a dorm. It's not cheap, it's not easy, and it's been tried before.  You people act like you're easily going to solve this issue when clearly you know nothing about the population or the history of public policy in this space.[/quote]

Again, the argument that it was abused before isn't valid. The prison system is abused. Should we eliminate prisons?

I will just fall back on the standard arguments given on these boards, Europe does it. If it's good enough for Europe, it shouuld be good enough here. [/quote]

But it's not easy and cheap and that's the point I was making to people arguing it will be a tax savings.  They pay more in taxes in many European countries and have a better standard of living.  Americans don't want ro pay- especially our billionaire class.  The current effort isn't about setting up a European model and that's what this thread is about.[/quote]

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