Homelessness And Policing

"Police often are the first (and sometimes the only) point of government contact for persons experiencing homelessness (PEH). Although it has been common for police to rely on traditional law enforcement powers in dealing with homelessness, many agencies have moved away from arrest-focused methods in favor of approaches that are designed to foster positive relationships with PEH, assess individual needs of each person or area, and guide homeless or unsheltered individuals to the services they require.

"To better understand the potential challenges of the law enforcement response to homelessness, the RAND Corporation and the Police Executive Research Forum, on behalf of the National Institute of Justice, convened a workshop of practitioners and researchers to discuss current law enforcement responses to homelessness and identify the highest-priority needs to support and improve existing efforts. During this meeting, four major themes were identified. First, there is a common set of factors underlying homelessness that law enforcement can address. Second, homelessness and overall health and wellness are deeply intertwined issues that should be treated together. Third, effective responses require the collaboration of stakeholders across governments, the private sector, and the community. Finally, acquiring and sharing data is necessary to understand the nature and scope of homelessness in each jurisdiction and to measure the effect of any implemented strategies. All four of these themes are vital to understanding the current challenges confronting the implementation of innovative police responses to homelessness."

Click on the link below for the details:

The Law Enforcement Response to Homelessness 

Housing Is An Ignored Human Right

"The housing crisis is at a worse point than at any time in recent history. Solutions are available and require political will to bring into reality but because the problem is now so widespread, we may actually be able to take action that would have been untenable before."

Click on the link below for an in-depth look at the basic right that supports all others:

Housing Cannot be a Fundamental Human Right and a Commodity at the Same Time

Helping The Homeless Financially: Keep It Simple?

"The study, though small, offers a counter to the myths that people who become poor get that way because they’re bad at rational decision-making and self-control, and are thus intrinsically to blame for their situation, and that people getting free money will blow it on frivolous things or addictive substances. Studies have consistently shown that cash transfers don’t increase the consumption of 'temptation goods'; they either decrease it or have no effect on it.

“'I have been working with people experiencing homelessness as a family physician for years and I am in no way surprised that the people who received this cash used it wisely,' Gary Bloch, a Canadian doctor who prescribes money to low-income patients, told me.

“'It should be fairly self-evident by now that providing cash to people who are very low-income will have a positive effect,' he added.'We have seen that in other work (conditional cash transfer programs in Latin America, guaranteed annual income studies in Manitoba), and I would expect a similar outcome here.'”

"What’s more, according to Foundations for Social Change, giving out the cash transfers in the Vancouver area actually saved the broader society money. Enabling 50 people to move into housing faster saved the shelter system $8,277 per person over the year, for a total savings of $413,850. That’s more than the value of the cash transfers, which means the transfers pay for themselves.

"The research team also looked at what’s effective at changing the public perception about cash transfers to homeless people. They found that pointing out how cash transfers actually produce net savings for society, as well as showing how homeless people spend the money, are both effective ways to counter stereotypes among the public.

“'People think that the status quo is cheap, but it’s actually incredibly expensive,' Williams said. 'So why don’t we just give people the cash they need to transform their lives?'”

Click on the link below for counter-intuitive findings regarding helping the homeless:

Is giving out free money the best way to help the homeless?

Homelessness To Rise Dramatically

One of the most serious effects of rising income inequality, facilitated by the COVID-19 Pandemic, is an increase in homelessness. The podcast link below focuses in on the issue and its causes:

"Today we take a look at the easily predictable, yet growing, eviction crisis in America that is entirely thanks to a political and economic system that is structurally incapable of functioning for the benefit of people over profit."

The Great Unhousing of America

If you are a veteran or know one who is affected by this situation, this link may be helpful.

Two Solvable Problems

If all politicians were science-based thinkers, many problems in society would be solved.  Following are two examples of societal dysfunction and realistic solutions.

1) The Homeless

This article presents another viable "band-aid" for the problem. However, to solve the problem, affordable housing is a solution, along with adequate social services.

2) Ex-Convict Unemployment

This article and this article present ways to help former criminals return to gainful employment.  However, to solve the problem, improving economic mobility is a solution, along with economic equality of opportunity.

 

The Basic Need

There are many needs of people.  However, there is ONE basic need:  a home.

Homelessness