While reading "Chapter 3: Challenge #2: Unfairness" various problems that we (U.S. citizens) have here, domestically, occurred to me. Primarily, the issue of homelessness. This has been an increasing issue that has been 'dealt' with in a multitude of ways, past and present, to try and solve. However, the most interesting (and common sense) method that I have heard of to try and reduce the number of homeless people on the streets, is in Ohio. I saw this on the news, and decided to do some follow up research.
In the state of Ohio, they are reducing the number of homeless, and helping them get on track in several ways. They have several programs that help find housing, permanent housing even, and then give support in finding jobs to become independent. This is an interesting way to do it, and smart, because in fact it is often cheaper to provide housing and assistance for a homeless person, than for them to do something to land them in prison, in addition to medical costs from emergency rooms. This will save their state funds, as well as help their citizens. Smart.
The last link provided also explains how housing homeless in rentals is cheaper than those going through temporary homeless shelters. It's a unique problem to study with how it is handled, and makes me wonder that, if permanent housing is cheaper and a better solution for the homeless, than why is it not being implemented? I'd like to know others views on this problem and solution as well.
On the other hand, Hawaii is sending homeless 'home' via a one-way ticket. This was stated to not be for thousands of people, but rather a hundred or so to help them get back to a support unit on the mainland. I thought this was a very unique and interesting idea. It makes me wonder how people got to Hawaii and became homeless, but also, once someone 'returns' it poses the question, then what? There was brief mention about Hawaii also offering support for those returning home, but it seems it would be difficult for a state to do outside of their own region.
These are just some thoughts I had come across that posed some new questions regarding problems - abd solutions - within our own country. Although we are a first world country, we still have a lot of work to do so that our society is 'fair' as well.
References:
http://www.cohhio.org/programs/ssi_2011
http://development.ohio.gov/cs/cs_homelesscrp.htm
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/25/hawaii-return-to-home-homeless_n_3653498.html
http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/news-studies-prove-housing-cheaper-homelessness-0
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ReplyDeleteI like the idea that Ohio is trying to get people off the streets. My favorite part of the plan is that they are giving assistance in finding jobs.
ReplyDeleteI tend to get a little bit wary when I hear about programs to help the poor. It's my personal belief that if someone is not trying to better themselves, they should not be given government assistance. This actually comes from a few things:
1. Growing up, my best friend's family always had an empty refrigerator. Both parents worked, but they still didn't quite have enough to make ends meet. They never got aid. Another lady in my community (perfectly capable to work) never attempted to get a job, but was on food stamps. I don't think this is fair.
2. I did a research paper last year on sequestration. The military housing budget was cut to about $2.1 billion. That sounds like they already have a lot of money, but not if you take into account that they needed $11 billion. The way that sequestration worked, they didn't get a choice in which parts of the budget got cut. On the contrary, the Department of Housing and Urban Development got an increase of $9 billion to their budget, which sat at $47.6 billion.
(http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/budget/fy2014/assets/housing.pdf, http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/assets/legislative_reports/fy13ombjcsequestrationreport.pdf, I can't find the third link, the article might have been taken down from the DoD website)
So if the people that Ohio is helping are getting jobs, or at least trying to get jobs-- if this is a temporary stop for them-- I say "Good for you, Ohio!" I want to be excited about helping people, I really do. And I acknowledge that these programs DO help a lot of people. I just wish we had a better way to do it. Focusing on assistance in finding jobs is a step in the right direction.
I agree that we need to figure out fair solutions to problems such as homelessness. Especially for the United States. It's easy to think about the poverty in Africa or Mumbai, but not as easy to think about poverty in our own country.
(I'm sorry this is so long. You made me think.)
I think the programs you brought up were interesting, although I am a bit questionable of the self-motivation of the people being helped. I grew up in a town where our welfare system was abused by a large influx of immigrants. I find it impressive that Ohio took the time to calculate the cost benefits of housing the homeless.
ReplyDeleteWhy do you get wary when people are trying to help other people?? Wouldn't our world turn into a worse place, we all need help at some point or another. People's position in life often comes from their background, so in order to improve our world, we need to continuously help to improve each others as a whole. As the famous quote states "we are only as strong as our weakest link." In addition, most homeless people have mental illnesses or are war vets. Granted something has obviously gone wrong for people to end up on the street, but that's not always their fault. As you stated, it's not 'fair' when people work and it's still not enough. But it's also not fair when a man has PTSD, one leg and is living on the streets after serving in Vietnam. Helping our country is helping each other.
ReplyDeleteI also live in a navy town where there is a lot of help to navy/military families as well as poorer families. After going through school with the sons/daughters of these people I see how some of them try, and it's still not enough, whereas others do nothing to help themselves. In those terms, I understand not wanting to help someone who doesn't want to help them self. Sometimes people just need to know someone cares. But the fact is, when someone takes advantage of someone helping them, it shouldn't be a bad thing.
I think you missed the point of what I was saying.
DeleteI never said we shouldn't help people. I especially never said that veterans with PTSD and missing limbs should be on the streets. I even complained in my original comment about how the government gives higher priority to slums than to military families. I have a higher respect for active duty military and veterans than I do for pretty much everyone else. Maybe that's narcissistic (did you know I'm in NROTC?).
I will clarify again. I get wary of HOW EFFECTIVE an aid program will be, based on what I know about people who abuse aid programs already. I feel like we're just putting band-aids on the sores and not treating the root of the problem.
HOWEVER, if you read my original comment carefully, you'll notice that I was HAPPY with what Ohio is doing in the fact that they're trying to provide people with jobs, because that IS treating the problem.
I am all for helping people out when they need it most, but you really have to be careful. It is human nature to try to get as much as they can out of people or system. If the system continues to just give people food stamps and housing, there will be many people who take advantage. There are always jobs that no one wants to do. Give those jobs to the homeless so they can make some money and slowly work themselves back into a normal life. Make them work for it rather then just give them stuff out of pity.
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