• theneverfox@pawb.social
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    7 hours ago

    Housing first is just the most effective strategy. It doesn’t solve everything, but it helps the most people fastest and is very cost effective

    We have to fix a lot of things, but people focus on this because it’s low hanging fruit

    • innermachine@lemmy.world
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      5 hours ago

      Housing the homeless just gets them to stop sleeping on benches temporarily. It helps YOU from seeing the “unsightly hobos” in ur community. It does not solve the core issues that their having a hard time participating in our society, and is a band aid solution. Homeless people either have mental issues that need mended, drug issues that need mended, or have fallen on hard times but still need not only a home but a job to hold down that will pay for their housing and food. If it was as simple as putting homeless up in houses we would have eradicated this issue decades ago if nothing to keep the bourgeoisie from having to see the poors. Without the means to maintain and upkeep their homes they will just end up on the street again in no time.

      • WoodScientist@lemmy.world
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        3 hours ago

        You’re confusing cause and effect. Usually people use drugs and have mental health issues because they are homeless. They’re not homeless because they have those maladies. Homeowners weather those challenges just fine. And living on the street creates drug and mental health issues. If I had to sleep on the sidewalk, I sure as hell would want to be high all day. Wouldn’t you?

        A homeless drug addict is just a middle class drug addict with a smaller bank account balance.

        • Hazor@lemmy.world
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          4 minutes ago

          Owning a home or otherwise having stable housing doesn’t mean you don’t have or can’t develop debilitating mental health or drug issues. I’ve worked with many currently and previously high-functioning, well paid, housed individuals who have developed severe mental health or drug problems despite their economic security. Economic security and stable housing absolutely are protective factors which reduce the risk of developing such problems, but they don’t eliminate genetic factors, trauma, unexpected economic hardships, etc.

          Source: I work with people who have severe mental illness and addiction problems, most of whom are currently homeless.