Federal housing cuts and mental hospital closings in the 1980's created a large homeless population in ...

Question

San Francisco (and throughout the US). In fact, this "big bang" homeless population makes up the majority of the homeless in San Francisco. The average age of this population in San Francisco is 50, and in poor health. Without supportive housing they will start going to hospitals more frequently or will simply die on the street. I got this information from a new study on chronic homelessness. See the link below to the San Francisco Chronicle's website.

My question: Does your nearby major metropolitan city offer supportive housing for its homeless population?

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/08/04/HOMELESS.TMP

sigmund--I agree it's not wise to give cash to someone on the street. I'd rather give to a charity that helps such people, which I do. I don't give money to panhandlers because I can't confirm that they are really homeless. Also, I couldn't be sure they wouldn't spend the money to support a drug or alcohol habit. That's not something I want to be part of.

This is off topic, but a curious new form of panhandling has arrived.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_begging

Answer 1

This is a huge problem in the UK, since the introduction of the 'care in the community' laws, they closed lots of mental health places and let the people out on the streets relying on them to be able to support themselves but also relying on them to take their medication properly. Without any family support a lot simply thought 'they were better' and now dont take their medication and noone cares. They have invariable ended up homeless and unable to support themselves. They are marginalised and looked on as welfare bludgers instead of gettign the proper help they need. It was just a way for the govt to cut down spending on a section of society that were least able to complain or organise themselves to protest. I agree its appalling, Im not sure who said it but someone once said, 'we are judged as a society by how we treat the elderly and the mentally ill" If this is the case lots of western affluent countries are failing miserably

Answer 2

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Answer 3

yes, people that are truly mentally ill should have care provided -- no question.

but no, people that are too lazy to support themselves and live off our tax dollars should not earn our sympathy.

i have seen this firsthand -- so-called mentally ill homeless guys in restrooms talking about how much they're making pan handling. they are totally different out on the street with their sad face mask.

if you want to give them money, go for it, but don't think you are doing them a favor. help is available, but they have to want to improve their lives.

Answer 4

Yes, but then I live in the Netherlands, where social securities are a given.

Answer 5

Unwillingness to hold a job also contributes to homelessnes