How would you solve the homeless crisis in the US?

Question

MisterKellyOReilly · Accepted Answer

First, I believe problems like homelessness in the U. S. won't be solved without a major change in the way many Americans -- and the politicians who seek their votes -- perceive the poor. Many often think: "This is America, the land of opportunity. You just have to apply yourself and work hard if you want to succeed. If some people are poor or homeless, it must be their fault."

As long as people believe this -- that it's their fault -- the problem will be ignored.

Second, I believe that many Americans and politicians focus on the cost -- rather than the benefits -- of solving social problems, and the potential increase in taxes, as more damaging to themselves than just letting the problem remain. "Why should I pay more in taxes for money that is going to get wasted on people who don't deserve it because it's their fault." Or, "We can't pay for everything, so this is the lesser problem." Or even, "That's socialism."

But, it's America, so I believe the solution should be framed with a capitalistic viewpoint. We should look at these costs as long-term investments in America that could provide long-term payoffs, such as: an increase in tax paying citizens; a more educated workforce; a reduction in adverse short-term problems, from crime and domestic abuse, to lack of medical and mental health care.

From a financial perspective, as long as the return on the investment is greater than the cost of the investment, then the investment should be made. But, Americans and politicians scream about the costs, and rant about any increases in taxes or the national debt.

Most Americans misunderstand the national debt. Only 8% of the national budget goes to paying off the interest on the U. S. Treasury bonds floated to raise money. Is that bad? Well, for the average homeowner, how much of their budget goes toward paying interest costs, especially when factoring in the interest on mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards. I'll bet it is a way more than 8%.

The U. S. government has the ability to raise large amounts of cash at very low interest rates. Even today, with higher rates, the interest rate the U. S. government pays on 20 year Treasury bonds is around 4%. So, how could this be examined as an investment with a payoff?

Let's say the average annual outlay is an average of $10,000 per person in poverty in the U. S., which is estimated at 40 to 50 million people. From an cost perspective, that seems like a huge number, about $500 billion. That's almost 10% of the total U. S. Federal budget. Say what? Increase my taxes by 10%?

Well, no. First, if that money is borrowed with U. S. Treasury bonds at 4%, then the net interest payment and increase in the Federal budget is reduced to $20 billion annually.

But you counter, well, it's still an increase in the debt. We have to pay it off some time, don't we. How are we going to do that?

So, remember the idea of increasing the amount of taxes collected from an increase in tax-paying citizens? Let's assume that of that $10,000 per person we spend, that on average, some of it becomes taxable, because some people would need less than $10,000 to get out of poverty. Let's say that amount of taxable income in the first year is 25% of the total amount, with an effective tax rate of 10%. In the first year, the increase in tax revenue would be $10 billion, which would make half of that interest payment of $20 billion.

Now moving forward, let's assume that people do get better paying jobs, or have disposable income to purchase items that create new income streams that also get taxed. Where is the break even point on that $20 billion interest payment for 50 million people?

Let's assume that as income increases, the average net tax rate for people coming out of poverty grows to 20%, which is the +15% paid by employees and employers for social security and Medicare, and 10% on income -- but we'll reduce that by 5% to be a little conservative. To pay off the $20 billion in interest, only 10 million of the 50 million in poverty would have to pay 20% in taxes on that $10,000 that could now be considered income instead of an expense. That's $20 billion in extra taxes.

Keep reducing the poverty level, the more of that expense becomes tax revenue. Assume three-fourths of the 50 million eventually get out of poverty -- so that the $10,000 in expenses is actually taxable at a net rate of 20%, then net increase in tax revenues is now getting close to $40 billion, almost twice the interest cost.

Thus, the investment is paying off and returning almost twice as much as is being paid out. And it's actually better than that. Purchases become sales tax revenue, and business income that is also taxed, or tips for service workers, which is also taxed. Better access to healthcare reduces health related costs. And so on.

So, first, we have to change the mindset of the average American and the average politician. Stop blaming everyone for the circumstances they are in. Sometimes, life sucks and deals you a bad hand. Shit happens.

Second, get away from thinking of the costs as increases in taxes, and start thinking about it as an investment.

Now, there is one caveat. You have to have legislation, and agencies, that are operated as businesses overseeing investments, rather than managing budgets. That may be the most difficult part, because that legislation is created by politicians.

So, I'd say the vicious circle of poverty is maybe a result of the vicious circle of politicians getting re-elected by a vicious circle of voters who remain uneducated and ignorant.

Oh, well. I think I'm entitled to my own fantasy.

For what it is worth...

godfatherfan · Accepted Answer

If you get rid of the Republican party, you will find most of the ill's of society will get cleared up pretty quick.

lisanclark · Accepted Answer

The homeless crisis in the US is a multi-faceted issue that requires a comprehensive approach. We need to focus on long-term solutions such as providing access to affordable housing, increasing job opportunities and wages, and improving access to mental health treatment. Short-term solutions such as emergency shelters, food pantries, and rent assistance can also provide immediate relief for those affected by homelessness. It's important to work with local governments and community organizations to ensure that these resources are available and accessible for those in need.

CupcakeTheDestroyer · Accepted Answer

Studies have repeatedly shown that just giving them housing very quickly solves the homelessness problem, as well as the reasons they might be homeless to begin with. The formerly homeless have a safe place to return to at night, they have the means to eat regularly, keep themselves clean, they’re more motivated to get jobs, get their life together, get their addictions treated, etc.

lightbulb27 · Answer

Id put them through a system outside of the governent, because it denies ability to utilize religion and corrupts everything it touches. Funded by a charity organization, maybe goodwill like. All proceeds go to get people back to "full operating potential".

They get a small shelter, they go back to 1st grade training and are retrained by professional, highly skilled, and loving.

1st grade: Entry and basic responsibilities. Their needs and issues are fully assessed... physical, mental, emotional, spiritual... which includes past traumas.

Requires going around and picking up trash in neighborhoods. They have to graduate else they get punished and it could be so severe that they die... thems the breaks. If they choose to leave they can, but they are kicked out of housing program. We bring back paddling and nuns with rulers so to speak.

They are immersed by Christian people whom care about them, or attempt to, that are selected to provide a support network. If they choose not to agree to Christianity, it's their choice, but the people around them are there because they want to be, not because its a "job".

2nd grade involves picking up cans and scrap for money. learning about home maintenance and responsibility, the constitution. Every grade requires emotional therapy to address past issues oppressing them

3rd grade... reading and math skills are updated.

4th grade... start learning about business.

etc...

12th grade... they have a skill of which they can contribute to society, a support system if there is no family. This is what the F the system was supposed to do but is so screwed up because its run by the govt, that it fails.

Each person has a mentor more than one, they have support groups, phone a friend. It's all volunteer by people whom are good at it.

Eventually they are at a level they can care for themselves, pay for themselves, and are graduated from the system.

This requires some very basic living quarters/internment camps to be built. The govt is required to lessen requirements so that the costs are not exhorbitant... they are the ones that make costs so high.

Miristheiss · Answer

I don't really know. I is so deep.

It is kind of arrogant to think a "government" can just pass some policy or ordinance and it will be cured.

I don't think most people truly realize how CORRUPT governments are and how so many in government are utter FOOLS.

A lot of homelessness involves people who are strung out on drugs. People have to actually WANT to stop taking drugs and even those that do often relapse MANY times. Many go back to drugs and end up overdosing and dying.

How can the government stop that?

How do so many get addicted? A lot of it starts in the home. There are so many people growing up in broken homes these days without fathers. Studies have shown over and over how such people have a much, much higher chance of poverty, being a drop out, being a criminal, getting into drugs.

How do you make the family stronger? Well, society (western) actively calls marriage "slavery", espouses promiscuity, living together, not marrying, not marrying until you are much older, no fault, super easy divorces, making it profitable to divorce.

Marriage and stable 2 parent homes are going away. Messed up childhoods are becoming the norm so drug use will probably keep going up.

The medical prescription field has helped many get hooked on drugs where they prescribe drugs for pain that eventually hook the person. How do you stop that? Maybe more care with not prescribing too strong a drug so addiction can't set in. Take them off the drug sooner?

Chazmatazz269 · Answer

I remember reading some years ago about how there are more than enough vacant homes in the US for every homeless person to have two or three. Ell oh ell! So capitalism would have to end to fix homelessness properly. Where profits are at risk, there are no fundamental human rights. That’s a fact of capitalism. Profit over people everywhere, all the time.

Would it still be a crisis if we could provide a home for everyone who wants one? Many of the people presently labeled as “homeless” are vagrant by choice. It’s almost impossible to indicate accurately what percentage of homeless people have chosen it. Since part of the “problem” of homelessness is “blight”, then we have to admit that it’s only a problem when the privileged have to witness it themselves. Right? It’s only now a “crisis” because upper middle class and wealthy have to spend more money just to avoid it. Ell oh ell!
There’s an interesting theory that i think applies here. As a society we are so committed to the oppression of men that we refuse to solve any problem that disproportionately impacts men more than women. This includes homelessness, suicide, parental rights, healthcare, mental healthcare in particular, workplace injuries and deaths, casualties of war, etc. Even where women and children are effected, there is little to no motivation to repair a broken system if men will benefit more. THIS is patriarchy. Ell oh ell!

Anonymous · Answer

There’s no single solution. Besides I feel as though if you just give people things for free they don’t appreciate it, they won’t take care of it, they want more. Like the illegals in New York who refused to leave the hotels to a different location. They wanted better, they wanted more yet they came from a country that was shit. Beggars can’t be choosers as they say. But no there’s no one solution. I really think a lot of those homeless people on the street put theirselves there. From what I see it’s not your average husband/wife/children, it’s junkies, drunks, etc. There’s always talk about all these homeless vets, yet a lot of them get disability from the gov’t including me. One dude was pulling in over $5000 a month, but he’s homeless. They try to help set them up w places for homeless vets around here but many of them get kicked out for violating the terms of being there. There’s one girl who is always standing at the corner of the road each day on my way to work. W her sign says family of 5 displaced by COVID. I think to myself why are you the only one out here I’d you’re a family of 5? Some people really want help, some don’t, but I’m thinking more than anything a lot of them don’t. As far as there being no jobs like someone who probably say, there’s jobs all over, entry level jobs too but they don’t want those jobs. Sure there’s some w mental issues that has to be handled differently. Maybe I’m from but that’s what I see.

Guy13 · Answer

Take away all social services and unemployment and lower taxes to the point that manufacturing returns. Get a damn job... they are dying for people in 15.00 hour fast food and grocery stores. I know people living under bridges and out of cars dong that at the Walmart. Mostly due to evictions but they are trying.

ZackBan · Answer

It's all about making lemonade out of lemons.

Finding things that a homeless man can contribute to society in exchange for essentially a home.

People think homeless and immediately think charity but fact is charity is a band-aid not a stitch and the wound is deep.

When a homeless man has no options and no hope he will remain homeless but if you present him with something, say "you can do this and we'll pay and feed you" a good bit of them would go for it.

Also rehab programs are inevitable since most are addicts and that alone is an issue

Adam1978 · Answer

Remove the reason they become homeless, ie make sure there is universal healthcare, unemployment benefits and that people who lend money to people who can't pay back, can't claim anything required to actually live. They have to take the losses. Instead of taking the money needed for food and rent. Yes that means poor people won't get the opportunity to borrow but they shouldn't need to make a living.

wkozak · Answer

The government can give them jobs in construction sites, they gonna build their houses by themselves, and half of the houses the government can use it in any project or plan or whatever in the future, but capitalism doesn't work like that unfortunately.
Before solving a problem we need to understand why it happened in the first place, there's many reasons can make someone homeless like debts, family issues, unemployment, and so on, we need to know what's the most common reason so we can cure it first, it's gonna be useless if we built shelters for them without knowing why they ended up in this situation.

qupid911 · Answer

Everyone gets an apartment when they’re ready to move out or at least 18. Cheap cheap rent (maybe 1000 minimum including utilities), 1 bedroom. Everything would be affordable. The rich would be capped at a certain income per year and any excess funds would towards debt/charities/schools

NostalgiaSenpi · Answer

There's various reasons why people become homeless. Sometimes, it's to do with their mental health and from what I noticed, a lot of the resources that used to be available to people, like facilities are closed down. You have others that ended up there due to either outright losing their job, or having a messy divorce along with other circumstances associated with it that they can't afford to even have an apartment with the job they have due to the court giving them the shaft. Other folks go to the military, get PTSD and aren't able to get the help, so they end up on the street. There are multitudes of reasons besides those. There are various programs already in place to help, but a lot don't want to use them.

CaptainSmartass · Answer

I'm in the UK, but my idea would be to send the homeless to cheap, underpopulated areas and give them a plot of land. They would have almost no planning restrictions, meaning they can build whatever they like, provided it passes building control checks.

Then, I would encourage them to contribute to the local economy by helping those who can do so to start a business, preferably by franchising, as it's seen as more stable. Those who can't work would get benefits and food parcels. This would all be paid for by revoking foreign aid, and by not letting illegal immigrants in.

Simples...

LiamJHayden · Answer

Not sure, but one step in the right direction is less government meddling. It can massively increase the costs. Even George McGovern realized the problems after he entered private life:

chronic22 · Answer

The only way for homelessness to end is for people to no longer do drugs alcohol and for human nature to change. The not taking responsibility for ones actions would need to be a thing of the past. For people to actually care for others even when there is no benefit. And to get rid of social media completely. And for jobs to be easier to get than ever. For people to be able to make money easier rather than work all day just to bring in 100 bucks a day only to buy some food and that money isn't there anymore.
And for kids to learn how to drive a car as a kid
Create buildings where kids can learn how to drive a actual car and to have workers there to help and to teach regular people how to do things like for instance if you want to learn how to build a boat you can buy a monthly weekly yearly subscription or a day pass of learning how to build and do certain things.

Anonymous · Answer

This is gonna sound cold hearted... But we need to triage at this point... Meaning instead of helping the homeless, we help the almost homeless... Americans have zero financial education, I seriously can't believe how fucking stupid financially people are, buying shallow shit, not saving etc. That being said... Families on the edge of homeless we help them... The already homeless we leave to the church or private... People will die. It will suck... But we are running out of options.

Only other idea would be relocating them, a little more humane. Many many homeless collect disability... But it's not enough to get by in big expensive cities... So we relocate. But of course they'd have to agree.

Anonymous · Answer

There isn't a cure unless we transition to a socialized system and redistribute wealth to these people. Capitalism will always create haves and haves not without mechanisms to ensure equitability. There’s no way around it.

coachTanthony · Answer

Take the billions that we are giving to Ukraine and build more facilities to help homeless people and try and fix the root cause of how they got there. If you just build homes all you did was give them a place to do drugs or deal with their mental issues without getting rained on.

Gent207-2 · Answer

1st I'd get off my ass and go try to volunteer at a non profit that works with homeless people.

2nd I realize not everyone has a story or is a "victim of capitalism". In fact some individuals are just lazy and don't want the 9-5 grind.

3rd - I would research how our goverment coddles the lazy and punishes non-profits who try to actually do something.

mrmonogamous · Answer

Deport every single one of the illegal immediately. The people who remain are obviously citizens, so they’re allowed financial assistance for a period of NO MORE than 6 months. Then they MUST have a job or join the military. Everyone is of use, it’s not all combat ready duty.

Natdabrat · Answer

I in fact think I have the answers for everything esp when it comes to the homeless when I get rich I’m going to build a big homeless shelter that has a collage and a restaurant and a mall and it’s going to have like a check in process I can tell u the many plans I have I can’t wait to get rich so I can show the world how this will make the homeless issue be gone

oddwaffle · Answer

Turn communist and let people build more houses. Those who don't agree can be jailed like a proper communist country.

Most of the housing crisis is caused by people who don't want this or that built in their area and lower the housing price. Imagine you put a low income housing on the beach front...

It's time these guys take the hike. They can shove their opinions where the sun doesn't shine.

Anonymous · Answer

No matter what economic system you have, there will always be an upper and lower class.

If we ever let this great reset psychopathy unleash, everyone you know will be impoverished, owning nothing, living in pods, eating the bugs and will somehow be happy.

Meanwhile, the weirdos in the government and the WEF will be the only upper class. They'll get to eat all the steak, fly their private jets and own all their beachfront properties as they please while they tell you that engaging in those activities will endanger the planet and cause natural disasters that will kill us all.

Fuck, I'd take homelessness over a fate like that.

CALIGVLA · Answer

Quite simple: free housing.  If there's money for us to start conflicts around the world, there's money to solve our social issues, being the homeless crisis one of them. No fucking excuses.

call_me_scar · Answer

Same way other countries have solved it just build them a cheap 1 room 1 bathroom apartment and offer them healthcare as mental illness is rampant in the homeless community. Oddly enough this does save money in the long term I forget the numbers though

Anonymous · Answer

Need to address 2 problems:
1: The cost of housing by allowing for the creation of more affordable options. (This is as simple as deregulation. Allowing existing land to be subdivided and developed.

2: The mental health issues of the existing homeless preventing them from holding a job and staying in a home.

Anonymous · Answer

Federal housing assistance: Federal housing programs are one of the most successful housing-based solutions to reduce homelessness. The two largest federal housing programs are public housing and federal housing vouchers, known as Housing Choice Vouchers or Section 8 vouchers.

zagor · Answer

The only problem with your little addendum is that socialist countries also have the homeless. Maybe you should read more.

Most of the homeless I see have some sort of addiction and/or mental problem. In our grandparents day there were public institutions for the more severe mental cases but those have been done away with over the last few generations.

gorydetails · Answer

Make it illegal to be homeless. You shouldn't be allowed to dirty up the taxpayer-funded streets doing drugs and shitting on the sidewalk.

Provide shelters under the condition that the person seeking shelter is drug and weapon free.

Provide mental health assistance and drug abuse counseling

Provide job counseling.

Understand that some people want to be homeless and allow them to live how they want under the restrictions above.

PainusNdeeAnus · Answer

Compassion for others

Everyone needs help from time to time

in other countries people take care of the homeless because everyone isn’t a bum (some are tho)

But some are too sick to work some are too old to work some are battling addictions and mental illness

there’s plenty of people with more than enough money to spare

why spend 200 dollars on a pair of Jordan’s when you can feed a man for 10 dollars that’s 20 people you could’ve helped

AngryCarl2 · Answer

The first thing I'd would be to stop banks foreclosing on people's mortgages. It's not as if the bank's money is on the line, because they create the loan out of thin air. Usury will destroy Western society if left unchecked.

Tomisworthless · Answer

Create a homeless apartment complex where they participate in maintenance, cooking running small vendor businesses and landscaping in return for pay. Cost of living is deducted from pay. Requirements must be sober and drug free. Once they feel comfortable to stand on their feet and move on in life they can leave the complex.

KrakenAttackin · Answer

Capitalism? Chronic homelessness is a function of mental illness and addiction (mostly). In dictatorships homelessness is not tolerated, so those with mental health/addiction issues are usually imprisoned.

We need to greatly expand mental health care in this country, especially for MEN. Mental health needs to be separated from government, however; as too often a man seeking treatment gets "red flagged". This creates a huge distrust of the "system".

slatyb · Answer

A lot of it is a mental health crisis exasperated by the flood of opioids, first from drug companies, and now Fentanyl from Mexico.

Anemone978 · Answer

Have a homeless tax on the super rich... the more homeless grows the bigger the tax goes...

Amur8711 · Answer

Reverse all the liberal policies that allow the homeless that choose to be homeless actually start working.

Its a very complicated issue and has to have multiple angles to address all the reasons people are homeless.

Also reducing taxes but deflating our government would help as well.

Anonymous · Answer

Stop having a society where half have more money than they could ever use in 10 lifetimes and the other half works 3 jobs but still can't get by.

jshm2 · Answer

By turning them into immigrants instead. As immigrants apparently "get everything" according to dipshit Republicans.

Plus those homeless who can survive a border crossing are clearly people who know how to survive.

rienna888 · Answer

if I was the president I’d make it illegal for stores to throw away food because it didn’t sell

Anonymous · Answer

Stop funding their addictions. Giving money to homeless = funding their addictions. They are not going to wake up one day and decide to sober up. They have to realize the consequences of their addiction and they do not feel the need to get sober when someone feels bad for their plight and blindly just hands them cash.

exitseven · Answer

Have the cops chase them away. Stop giving endless handouts and concentrate on job training and employment outreach. Do not legitimize homelessness by allowing tent cities being set up on sidewalks.

Pacquet · Answer

As someone who researches this a lot the solve starts at rehabilitation on a National scale. It’s better if a housing project has a rehabilitation program but it takes a ton of funding to be able to hire the right people.

Iron_Man · Answer

Feed them get them into housing. They need social workers. As long as they’re trying instead of using drugs.

Anonymous · Answer

It’s funny that you call capitalism a “feature of capitalism” and yet democratic run cities typically have the worst homelessness problems.

It seems the more leftist ideas that get pushed into legislation the worse the problem gets.

saffoler · Answer

Um, homelessness existed before capitalism. And you can find them in every society. I take the Benjamin Franklin approach and make them as uncomfortable as possible.

madamblack · Answer

Maybe everyone should be help them. If everybody give some money -20 dollar- then homeless would be full and happy. It's related to crisis bcz happy people never pick a fight

Anonymous · Answer

Kill all drug dealers. End of story. Close the borders. Send drones to visit the drug cartels in countries bringing the drugs in. The only other option would be medical cures, but the politicians like Jo Jo the Clown prefer the payoffs.

Surely · Answer

For every illegal coming across the southern boarder, that the working taxpayers are paying to house and feed. There would have to be shelter and food provided for a homeless person.

Anonymous · Answer

Maybe give half of the money we gave to Ukraine to the homeless lmao

Djaay · Answer

Impossible , America kicks GOD out of the nation and expects a cure for homelessness... America is now a Fallon nation so get used to even worst situations.

OddBeMe · Answer

Is the problem mental illness? Drugs? Just poverty? I don’t actually know. Though we don’t have succinct plans for fighting any of those issues. Single payer healthcare perhaps?

EaterPeter · Answer

Sleep pods? All weather sleeping bags by Australian company who sells those sleeping bag for half price for donation purposes. Nala rings. Floating devices.

FunkyMonkee · Answer

Ship `em back to where they came fom and make Donald Trump President, again.

Anonymous · Answer

Just like the Canadians do. Set them adrift. 😆😆😆

RockyHammock · Answer

Think Andrew Yang had the best theory towards this issue: UBI. Universal basic income.

Pterodon · Answer

Deport all illegals and use the money spent on illegals on homeless Americans. Many are homeless by choice

Anonymous · Answer

More homes. Government built with rent control

andreasderjuengere · Answer

Use them for pharma testing. So that there's a profit?

Randalama · Answer

The Soviet. Everyman is king of his castle in the Soviet. Of course being the King means shitting in yo own boot but still though. u da King!

Pete671 · Answer

I'm in UK, just get people to be kind to each other,,,

John_Doesnt · Answer

Homeless people are in every country. I would solve it by having a purge.

Anonymous · Answer

Probably how the Chinese do , The government gives everyone a piece of land, and the government doesn’t charge land taxes on anything you want

How would you solve the homeless crisis in the US?

Most Helpful Opinions

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

How would you solve homelessness in America? What do you think is the leading cause of homelessness?

How would you solve the homeless crisis in the US?

Most Helpful Opinions

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

How would you solve homelessness in America? What do you think is the leading cause of homelessness?

We're glad to see you liked this post.