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I only mentioned the 80s, because that's when the media started recognizing homelessness, as a problem. Now that we've established that there was homelessness before the 80s, the point of this thread is, what should be done NOW, to eliminate it??
You could START by identifying the causes of homelessness - then just work your way down the list, coming up with solutions for each cause.
One baby step at a time - that's how ANYthing gets fixed, no ?
The homeless problem started up in the 80s, after Reagan became President. And it's been going on now, for over 30 years. Homelessness has continued to increase, since the great recession began over two years ago.
In a wealthy country like America, the homeless problem is a national disgrace. Shouldn't we use our considerable economic resources, to eliminate homelessness once and for all? And what do you think would be the best way, to go about doing so?
we are never going to eliminate either homelessness or poverty. both have been around almost as long as humans have been on the planet.
as for the homeless problem starting up after reagan, you are quite wrong and need to open a history book. we had a huge homeless problem after world war one, during the great depression, and many other times in our history. the only reason it seems like it started during the reagan years was because of the screams from the left because they did not like reagans economic policies. the homeless did not go away during the clinton years, just no one talked about it.
this country has spent untold trillions of dollars since the 60s trying to eliminate poverty and homelessness, and the result has been no real change in either. until such time as we change our society to the point where everyone chooses to work for what they get, and is willing to work for what they get, poverty and homelessness will never go away.
also dont forget that many choose to be homeless so they can stay under the radar, so to speak.
Not necessarily. I think that the main solution, is to provide affordable housing, for those who need it most.
Well not all housing is "affordable" by everyone in the first place..........so you'd need to define what you mean by "affordable housing" to start with and then define who it is that "needs it the most" that isn't already being taken care of by one program or another.
Obviously if I'm earning a decent salary I have more "affordable housing" options than someone who is earning minimum wage. That's a given.
What to end homelessness? Earn as much money you can and give to the poor. Encourage others to do likewise. Educate the poor to make a living for themselves - or at least educate their children so that multiple generations are not poor.
the causes of homelessness are deep. it's a result of the unfairness and the extreme competitiveness of society, poor parenting, bad or cruel people etc. if you don't have a solid and good start, you will be left behind and may even be damaged. once you are damaged, you can be lost pretty much forever like a handicapped person. most of them are deeply sad and heart-broken. homeless people are usually too weak or naive. of course, some are scum too.
compassion is not enough, practical solutions are. i would say a good start to end the homeless problem is put them in cheap housing where there is strict and ongoing drug testing as well as help for them such as counseling, drug rebab etc. they do have programs like that in some places for homeless veterans.
also, there could be a choice such as sterilization for housing if one refuses to work. but i would say that society would also need to change how it's economically structured and place these people in jobs they can do. they are not in any position to compete. even with the most menial jobs, society wants perky people who are unaffected and the homeless know they will not be accepted because they are slower or not as proficient. it would have to be very simple and menial most often such as factory work etc or work set up that they can do. society could do it but it's not there yet.
it would be a good experiment to set them up in self-sustaining colonies where they grow their own food etc. actually, this would be the best for them. homeless people tend to look out for eachother. these people just cannot live in the world that most do. to not recognize that is going to end in repeat failure. people are usually not able to understand those that are different from them and don't fit into general society, that is why you have homeless too.
we are never going to eliminate either homelessness or poverty. both have been around almost as long as humans have been on the planet.
as for the homeless problem starting up after reagan, you are quite wrong and need to open a history book. we had a huge homeless problem after world war one, during the great depression, and many other times in our history. the only reason it seems like it started during the reagan years was because of the screams from the left because they did not like reagans economic policies. the homeless did not go away during the clinton years, just no one talked about it.
this country has spent untold trillions of dollars since the 60s trying to eliminate poverty and homelessness, and the result has been no real change in either. until such time as we change our society to the point where everyone chooses to work for what they get, and is willing to work for what they get, poverty and homelessness will never go away.
also dont forget that many choose to be homeless so they can stay under the radar, so to speak.
As I said before, I focused on the 80s, because that's when the media began to spread awareness about homelessness. As for people 'working for what they get', lots of people worked before they became homeless. And with our current jobless rate being so high, many more people, will become homeless before the economy ever improves.
By the way, this is not a thread, for you to bash Welfare recipients. If you want to do that, then go to a thread about Welfare.
What to end homelessness? Earn as much money you can and give to the poor. Encourage others to do likewise. Educate the poor to make a living for themselves - or at least educate their children so that multiple generations are not poor.
Therein lies the rub. Earning as much money as you can. Well there's lots of college educated folks, who have lost everything in this economy. And they will, or already have, become homeless. They don't lack education, ambition, or willpower. They lack the means to earn enough money to house themselves, via a job. Don't assume that the poor and homeless population, is made up only of uneducated, lazy people!
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