> Those who are convicted of sleeping outdoors could be given the option to avoid jail time by instead entering into a mandatory treatment program for at least 12 months.
What happens if someone is homeless and not addicted to drugs or alcohol? Why assume everyone who is homeless is also an addict? It seems entirely reasonable that someone homeless AND addicted to drugs/alcohol should be required to enter into a treatment program.
Because if you actually go out and talk to people sleeping on the streets (instead of theorycrafting on the internet)then you'd see that literally all of them are strugging from some sort of addiction.
So basically state funded mandatory rehab for everyone ?
All the taxpayer money spent on nonprofits and random government programs have had little impact since far and mostly look like corrupt grift. There need to be new consequences and deterrents.
Comparatively few of our homeless are from here.
Most homeless people, if you fine them money, won't exactly be able to find housing more easily. Similarly, if you imprison them, they aren't suddenly able to find a job more easily.
There's a lot of complexity, like people who appear homeless but do have a place to sleep, but appear mentally ill.
For the most part, people in these situations are not looking for work or housing.
I think the only thing that can be earnestly said to this is “fuck this inhuman shit.” Anyone who supports this program has willingly torn chunks from their soul and thrown them in the gutter.
"What is the estimated cost to solve the US homeless problem?"
As you might expect, it said "it's complicated!"
But, it did say HUD has estimated it would take $20B to $30B to give every single person housing. Then $9B a year in continued funding.
Just saying, that seems smaller than the Iran war cost over the last 45 days.
And it goes on to say this actually would save money long term because of all the side effects of homelessness, like emergency room care, police and social services and impact on businesses.
But then you can't run on being tough on crime or tough on nuclear proliferation.