Ted Williams

[Nique]

Just in case you didn't hear about this guy (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/40958507#40958507).

Homeless guy with an amazing voice has some newspaper correspondent film him and now after almost 20 years of dealing with alcoholism and drug addiction and becoming homeless as a result, he's getting job offers from everywhere, and NBC especially has given him tons of airtime.

[Seil]

I saw this a few days ago, someone linked it on FB. My thought at the time was "Wow, that's really cool."

Now my thought is "Now we should do this for the rest of the homeless people there. Living under the bridge by Rideau Canal in Ottowa. In Vancouver. Pretty much anywhere. The first question the newscaster asks the guy is "What's it like to sleep in an actual bed?" Why aren't we putting more into helping people who, although might not have a unique talent like that, but would also like to sleep in an actual bed?

[Archbio]

Why aren't we putting more into helping people who, although might not have a unique talent like that, but would also like to sleep in an actual bed?

Because people like to feel like the problem is already solved and/or not actually a problem!

[Professor Smarmiarty]

Because TAXES

[Mannix]

because the majority of the homeless (outside of children) are mentally disturbed in some fashion and wouldn't be able to take care of themselves (which is likely how they ended up homeless) and long term care facilities are expensive and nobody wants to pay for that sort of thing because it doesn't explode, give you a hard on, or dull your senses. either that or they're kids and everybody knows that the only kids that matter are "mine." [in the US the largest group of homeless people is children, the largest group of adults are veterans with ptsd or other issues. can't speak for canada though.]

[Hatake Kakashi]

I am, at least, thankful for one bright spot in the news. It happens so rarely.

[bluestarultor]

because the majority of the homeless (outside of children) are mentally disturbed in some fashion and wouldn't be able to take care of themselves (which is likely how they ended up homeless) and long term care facilities are expensive and nobody wants to pay for that sort of thing because it doesn't explode, give you a hard on, or dull your senses. either that or they're kids and everybody knows that the only kids that matter are "mine." [in the US the largest group of homeless people is children, the largest group of adults are veterans with ptsd or other issues. can't speak for canada though.]

Most are kids? No kidding? O_O


Actually, I wonder how many of those are runaways. I can't imagine why there'd be so many more homeless children than adults otherwise. I know I sound terrible, but I don't think my faith in humanity can handle that many parents just tossing their kids onto the streets with no way to fend for themselves. :(

[Donomni]

Why aren't we putting more into helping people who, although might not have a unique talent like that, but would also like to sleep in an actual bed?

That would require the government and many others who are capable of doing so actually think of these people as people, and not things.

Because, OBVIOUSLY(emphasis sarcasm), if you don't own anything, you are an unperson.

Like a lot of things, the homeless situation really saddens me.

[Jagos]

Most are kids? No kidding? O_O


Actually, I wonder how many of those are runaways. I can't imagine why there'd be so many more homeless children than adults otherwise. I know I sound terrible, but I don't think my faith in humanity can handle that many parents just tossing their kids onto the streets with no way to fend for themselves. :(

Just giving a few thoughts on this...

Domestic abuse cases, kids that live on the streets from troubled pasts, and even as a result of kids having no where to go when both parents are in jail on drug charges. There's a lot of things out there to cause children to turn hobo...

[pochercoaster]

I saw this a few days ago, someone linked it on FB. My thought at the time was "Wow, that's really cool."

Now my thought is "Now we should do this for the rest of the homeless people there. Living under the bridge by Rideau Canal in Ottowa. In Vancouver. Pretty much anywhere. The first question the newscaster asks the guy is "What's it like to sleep in an actual bed?" Why aren't we putting more into helping people who, although might not have a unique talent like that, but would also like to sleep in an actual bed?

Because you can't make money fixing homelessness.

Also you have to note what the definition of "homeless" is; kids moving from family to family to family may be considered homeless although they are not on the streets, and also most homeless people are only homeless for a brief period of time. In fact you may be surprised at the number of homeless people you pass in a day who completely blend in and even have cell phones. It's one of the first things you learn when you're homeless- if you stick out you put yourself in danger. The people who look homeless have been homeless for a long time.

Nobody wants halfway homes or addiction clinics in their neighborhood. Nobody gives a shit about prostitutes or the mentally ill or the disabled. And using property taxes to fund education does nothing to help schools in impoverished areas. We'd rather wait until they commit a crime and then throw them in jail where our taxes pay for their cells. Who wants to admit that we fucked up, that the system is fucked up? Let's sweep 'em under the carpet and forget about it. It's not like us civilized people would be capable of living such lowly lives. Haven't you heard of the american dream? You just have to pull up your bootstraps and work hard!

[Bells]

Well it's not like there aren't people help homeless people out there. This Ted guy is an amazing case by itself, he really does have a unique talent...

But if you really want to help Homeless people via the Government (remember, in the US there are quite a few people right now who could be in the streets simply because they lost everything after the market collapse. Normal folks who lost their homes) you kinda have to teach these folks "to fish" instead of giving them fish.

For you to not be poor, the best way is for you to have a job. Having a job is hard if you don't have qualification and an address... SO. The government can give jobs to fellons, it should be able to adapt this system to give Homeless people a chance to stand back on their own feet.

If i were to think of a fast solution (without much deep thought) it would be this.

You have the Government make ties and partnerships with a bunch of Companies that together will build low cost housing. These companies will hire these homeless people to build these houses and train them to do so. While they build, they stay in a Shelter where they get Food, training, Education and basic services they need.

Once the houses are done, each person that built it, gets one of their own. The companies can hire these guys or not after this. And they get Tax compensation for helping out with an extra bonus for each person they hire after the houses are done.

Where will they build these houses? Golf Courses (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbSRCjG-VLk)

[Torque]

Well it's not like there aren't people help homeless people out there. This Ted guy is an amazing case by itself, he really does have a unique talent...

But if you really want to help Homeless people via the Government (remember, in the US there are quite a few people right now who could be in the streets simply because they lost everything after the market collapse. Normal folks who lost their homes) you kinda have to teach these folks "to fish" instead of giving them fish.

For you to not be poor, the best way is for you to have a job. Having a job is hard if you don't have qualification and an address... SO. The government can give jobs to fellons, it should be able to adapt this system to give Homeless people a chance to stand back on their own feet.

If i were to think of a fast solution (without much deep thought) it would be this.

You have the Government make ties and partnerships with a bunch of Companies that together will build low cost housing. These companies will hire these homeless people to build these houses and train them to do so. While they build, they stay in a Shelter where they get Food, training, Education and basic services they need.

Once the houses are done, each person that built it, gets one of their own. The companies can hire these guys or not after this. And they get Tax compensation for helping out with an extra bonus for each person they hire after the houses are done.

Where will they build these houses? Golf Courses (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbSRCjG-VLk)

I understand what you're trying to say, and realize that you didn't spent 6 years and the cost of a small nation on a committee to hash out the details, but the problem with that plan is the basic root of all problems
People.
People lie, cheat and steal. Both the poor, and the rich. Maybe more of the latter than the former, but that's not my point
The point is that you'll have companies making shady deals to get these people who will be practically slaves for this company.
They will live together in large groups which will, as it always does, naturally attract all sorts of characters such as thieves, prostitutes, and other low life degenerates, which will just start the vicious circle all over again. Then these houses, which were built by the lowest bidder, will become, essentially, more "projects" that will just perpetrate the cycle.

I know it makes me sound like complete cynical fuck to say it, but people are animals just like those in the wild, and if you can't run with the herd you get eaten. Bad luck sucks, and yes, god bless those who find a way to turn it around, but those people are willing to fight tooth and claw for it.
I just don't believe that the "homelessness" problem can ever be "fixed"