Homelessness seems to be a rapidly growing problem all across the US (and elsewhere I suppose). I notice it all around my state of Colorado, and it’s impossible to look at the news and not find it being mentioned in many states, especially California. I can’t say I recall it being “as bad” when I was younger so I’m left with a few questions I’m pondering.
-Is it significantly worse than decades past or is it just media hype?
-Is there a realistic solution to combat it or is it a runaway train with nothing to be done except disposing of the dead?
It seems that there are several common issues that get mentioned a little which are prevalent in many homeless people. Drugs/alcohol and mental illness.
But are there other influential factors? Are there some who “choose” to be homeless simply because it’s easier than working and being a part of society?
I realize there a multitude of different possibilities and each person is different but I can’t understand how so many are simply unable or unwilling to rise up and fix themselves. Government has delved deep and spent largely but are essentially (not surprisingly) ineffective. Church groups and people with good intentions still dole out money, food, clothing, etc... but still the problem seems to be expanding rapidly.
California is inundated with it and they seem to be heading towards bankruptcy. Eventually that well will run dry and I’d expect to see a great migration of homeless spreading to other states much like a plague.
Perhaps this is another aspect of shtf that one should prepare to deal with? Maybe it’s not much different than many other shtf type events.
So what are y’all’s thoughts on homelessness?
My plan to end homelessness:
1) Stop the vast majority of "welfare" programs. Most of the people on them are able-bodied and diverting resources from the few who really need them. Government welfare is unaccountable, and ends up bribing people into dependence. It allows people to meander through life, rudderless and unimproved.
2) Cut government spending to the bone. Stop government from spending people's money and they might get to keep some.
3) Lower tax rates down to the opposite side of the Laffer Curve. Government gets the same revenue by taking a smaller portion of a bigger pie, but it also leaves people with a lot more of their money to live on, or to give charitably to organizations that are more effective than government.
4) Lower barriers to entry so it is easier to make money. Lower regulation by requiring legislation, not executive branch fiat, to make the law accountable to the people who have to work under it.
5) Bring back flop houses to replace homeless shelters. Compliance with arbitrary rules makes getting a shelter stay a full time job, and the curfews prevent the homeless from most gainful employment. Let them pay for a cot and a shower and have some dignity.
6) Stop government from competing with churches and charities, which are far more efficient.
7) Stop all "affordable housing" mandates and allow the market demand to dictate what housing is built.
8) Prosecute the homeless so they stop getting arrested as a solution to their problem. Couple this with criminal justice reform focused on restitution.
9) Stop attacking God in the public square because His organizations are the best equipped to handle the problem.
10) Focus what little government involvement remains on those who are genuinely unable to care for themselves.
11) End all regulation on owner-occupied single family housing.
Wait a decade and watch the problem vanish.
