Oregon bill would give homeless $1,000 a month to spend with no restrictions

[forkup]

Only one correction here....The proposed program is not an indefinite proposition....While I think 12 months is too long, I do agree that the study should be around 6 months, and include training, and housing for 6 months, with a caveat that if they are succeeding, then it can be extended monthly for up to the following 6 months....

It would include requirements for

Employment
Drug testing
Training in a marketable skill set
and therapy is required....
and I am going to throw in training in budgeting, and money management (in a rudimentary way) to curb unnecessary spending....

Seems you are already on board for at least part of the program. And what you are suggesting is perfectly reasonable, although I don't agree in every detail.

 

[Drop Dead Fred]

I hope this passes. And then I hope all the homeless drug addicts from the entire country move there.

 

[Drop Dead Fred]

Where do they shower? Where do they go #2? Toilet paper? Where does it go? We know in SF bathroom usage is a major priblem. There are no public toilets.

San Francisco is spending $1.7 million on one public toilet. It will be built by union labor. It will take three years to build. But the workers’ benefits are very, very, very good!

S.F. is spending $1.7 million on one public toilet: ‘What are they making it out of — gold?’

 

[j-mac]

Are there other things they could spend the money on? ... Absolutely. I just don't see why it would be an either/or proposition.

I do absolutely agree that we should look at the growing problem of homelessness in this country...However, as I have said, just throwing $1000 per month at the problem won't do anything, but flush the money down the drain....

We need to come up with a comprehensive program that is limited in scope. Involves 'buy in' from the people looking to get off the streets, and actually ensures that once completed, these people remain productive members of society...

Neither do I know the answer to your questions. But you don't either. The difference is that you are presupposing an outcome without having data to back it up.

We have mountains of data, dating back generations on homelessness....What we are talking about here is really a couple of things...1. Is this a good idea that Oregon is studying? and 2. What would be a better approach?

some data...

Homeless population

This statistic is collected by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and reflects a snapshot of the homeless population as of a single night at the end of January each year. The total number of people who experience homelessness for some period each year will be higher than this figure.

usafacts.org

Why Are People Homeless? (Top 10 Reasons) - HomelessAdvice.com

If you’ve never been homeless before, are about to become homeless, or are just curious, then you may be wondering why some people become homeless. Well the short answer to that is that it differs...

homelessadvice.com

What's behind rising homelessness in America?

The number of Americans living without homes, in shelters, or on the streets continues to rise at an alarming rate. Judy Woodruff reports on why that is, and what more can be done to prevent it.

www.pbs.org

This is the first logical fallacy you are committing. You are simply asserting it will be a waste of time without ever establishing it to be the case. It's what is called begging the question.

It's what I call a question. I do believe it will be a waste of not only time, but taxpayer dollars as well...

Define "handouts" please. Medicaid/Medicare can be considered handouts, but they have been successful in providing medical care.

Medicaid maybe, but Medicare no....Medicare is like SS, paid for our entire working lives....It certainly is NO handout.

Pensions, disability, all are instances of the government providing aid to people who can't afford certain services, are you willing to state they aren't successful in doing this?

Pensions are a dinosaur unless you work for the government, or Union....Most American's don't have a Pension. and Disability are fraught with fraud...So, no, they aren't...

I think the issue is purely about how much handouts are appropriate to give. I'm pretty sure we recognize that there are instances when doing so is a good thing?

Well, generally, like most American's, I have no problem with helping someone who is down on their luck, but, not if it is going to fail to address the core problem that caused them to need help in the first place...That is throwing good money away.

This doesn't seem like a reason for homelessness though. I don't think when given a choice between being working and being homeless a young person would choose homelessness.

Maybe, maybe not....When young, individuals make poor choices....

Can you tell what in your opinion are the right issues and people in the problem?

I've tried to address some of them in other postings in the thread....Thing's we don't teach in High School anymore....Like

Budgeting
Trade training
The importance of Saving money...etc...

 

[laferia52]

As per what forkup and I discussed earlier, I thought this would be a good subject for discussion...

Thoughts.

those homeless will be in hog heaven with 1000 dollars of drug money