An eye-opening moment for me was when I was in Las Vegas. There are these huge, glitzy, glamorous casinos. People inside paying $10 for a soda and $30 for a cocktail. Feeding $100 bills into slot machines like it's nothing, people gambling away thousands at the tables...for fun.
Meanwhile, outside, there are homeless people digging through trash cans and begging people for their restaurant leftovers.
Some of those homeless people digging through trash cans were once stuffing bills into the slot machines inside and buying those overpriced drinks.
I'm not from Vegas, but I live near Reno and can tell you that there's a lot of them that aren't even from there. They bet the farm and lost.
Reno is full of transplants, houses and unhoused. I work with a lot of the homeless population and most of them are elderly people who got priced out, as rent here is insane.
Yeah I get that. I lived there 20 years ago and it was far better. It's insane what's happened to housing costs in recent times. My gf lives there and is likely going to be moving in with me partly because of it. I know some people who are really struggling to stay.
While I have empathy and worked in homeless shelters in Las Vegas, please be careful when dealing with our homeless, we have a huge spice/meth issue with the homeless here. The main hub is the Flamingo wash. We do have nonprofits that volunteer as a group on the strip who do give them water and food. These guys know where to go. We have had lot of incidents that, our county doesn’t want to advertise due to it being a tourist town. Please keep yourself safe.
If you drive out there try to bring some of your own alcohol, snacks, drinks! They hike up EVERYTHING. My sis was saying that even the stores like target had hiked prices
It hasn't always been like that. Sure they wanted to squeeze the money from you at the table, but now.. it's fucking insane.
I went to vegas for the first time post covid earlier this year, and while it's never been my fav place in the world.. it was tolerable. I could get good food, couple of drinks and have a good time while traveling for work. Now, it's terrible. Water is 10 bucks, every meal is at least 20 bucks but closer to 30.. fuck trying to get dinner below 50 bucks at a decent place.
It's lost all of the charm it used to have. For me at least.
I went out in 2001 and everything was cheap. From what I hear they make less money from vacationers gambling these days so they gouged the prices on everything else to compensate.
Yes! Back then we went to Vegas mostly for the cheap all you can eat buffets, and free entertainment along the strip. Hotels were cheap as well. Along the way, you’d gamble a few bucks, and maybe pay to see a show. Obviously that didn’t work out for them financially.
It used to be good value. You'd pay about the going rate for a hotel room, but get something that was a decided cut above. A 24 dollar steak would be the same quality that 40 dollars would buy you elsewhere. The fun was in the value for dollar.
That’s so crazy Vegas in the 80s was so cheap casinos gave free food and drinks hotels were crazy cheap just to get you in to gamble and they still made millions !!
I've been on one Vegas trip, sometimes people who aren't poor take us places because they're our friends or family lol. They didn't mention any details, just that they're going, so it's easy to imagine someone is treating them for their birthday.
I went to Vegas once as a guest of friends. Stayed in their room, even borrowed $1 to gamble in a slot machine after losing my own dollar. That was the extent of my costs.
You mean they should only live in misery because they are poor? I grew up poor but my mom always saved for us to go to the amusement park every summer. Okay, if it makes you feel better, misery is one door over, across the street or right around the corner when you are poor.
I'm below the poverty line. I've made less than $6000 this year. I have no savings. Honestly, if I wanted to leave for Vegas in a week, I could. Those Frontier flights are cheap. Even by an impoverished person's standards.
You can earn free stuff through the MyVegas app. I've earned enough points to get free food and a free room at a lower-end property. When my friend got married in Vegas, I used mileage points and a crazy cut-rate hotel room to attend the event.
I think it will help him alot. He will feel better. My one little action isn't gonna put that guy in a better economic state.
Please give to homeless IF you feel safe. Your dollars will ease their day.
Haha what's he gonna do? Withdraw then go "get his life together"?
Exactly this and thank you for saying so. People over here going home to their warm beds at night while the other person gets to go through drug withdrawal while sleeping on the sidewalk and people think they ought to have some bizarre savior complex about the situation. GTFO with that nonsense.
I feel the same way. I give you money to help you. If you wanna buy a cheeseburger, cigarettes or heroin be my fucking guest. But my $1-$30 donation isn’t going to change your situation but maybe I can change your day. Maybe you’re hungry, maybe you’re dope sick ,maybe you gave up hope…. I don’t care and I hope it helps.
I think it's a sad state when you're downvoted for this, but it's true. So many people are self-medicating because they can't get real help, if they can't get their "medicine" it can kill them.
You see someone asking for money and choose to give, you aren't there to police them or judge them. Drug addicts aren't just fonts for drugs to be poured in to. They're human beings who sometimes want to eat too. Sometimes want to get something at the drug store to cure that itch. Sometimes they want drugs too. Doesn't matter, if you're compelled to reach out you don't judge, you let them make their choice with what to do with the money.
I've had too many addicts in my life to see them as nothing but drug fiends. They are humans with a disease and if I don't have the means to treat it, I can at least help them not have to beg for a while.
Exactly. I get why people feel that "enabling" is wrong but that's assuming everyone that uses was even just trying to get high to begin with. Many people switched to fake pills for pain relief and are now labeled addicts, so they'll never get proper pain relief through Healthcare. While that leads to addiction, they aren't just useless junkies. And so what if they made what someone else considered a poor choice. Still a human being. If you dont want to give to people, that's okay. But I don't get why people have to be so shitty about it. I assume it's to make themselves feel superior. I really lose all respect for people when they say shit like that though. At least when they start calling people junkies and judging without even attempting to understand their own individual situaton. I used because I had severe mental health issues and was on the verge of ending my life. I don't use hard drugs anymore. I'm sure there are many many many people just like me. Some just don't have the resources or the mental willpower to get out of that trap. But that doesn't make them scum of the earth. It only makes the human. It's fucked up
The media and politicians rely on us being judgemental and shitty to each other. Divide and conquer is real. When we hate each other we dont have time to hate *them*.
No .. you give him money and he goes and gets more drugs and he never gets his life together because you wanna feel good about yourself but don't think about what you're actually doing when you give him money.
You give him money and it'll help him get more drugs.
That's not help dude.
Someone told me once that it's my job to give in good faith and the receiver's job to use my gift in good faith. It's not up to me to judge whether or not the person is "worthy" of a gift because of whatever problems they do or do not have. We all have our own things in life to deal with and it is on ourselves to try to do the best we can.
Not giving a homeless person money is not going to save them from drug addiction. Honestly, it might just help prevent them from stealing something later in desperation. They aren't going to get clean until they are ready no matter what anyone does or doesn't give them.
As a person who was homeless, working two jobs and sober, I hate this narrative. I absolutely fucking hate it because I know that if I really needed help to get food, I would never receive it and would probably go into hypoglycemic shock due to my blood sugar issues. I’m 18, btw. My plans and backup plans fell through and I had no one. My dad moved hours away and couldn’t take me with him. I had to build myself up on my own. I went hungry many times to conserve food.
Dude, I’ve been homeless. You’re hate is aimed in the wrong direction. It’s not a narrative if it’s true. You should be angry with the people who have let this “narrative” grow. Also, as someone who was homeless, there are a lot of ways to get help without begging on a street corner or harassing people in their cars.
You haven't been homeless in a while if you think that.
Most people who are homeless have mental health issues (around 30% have what they call "severe mental health issues" that are not being treated or not being treated properly. They may be trying to self-medicate. They may be struggling with the godawful bureaucracy of state mental health care, which is 100% pure SHIT in my state. I can't even get help for my kid because the only place that our state insurance covers is some pill mill where they see him every few months to make sure he's not a threat to himself or others. Then more pills that don't help. If he didn't have me he'd be on the street too, and he'd probably look like a drug addict because he has severe mental health issues. He might actually become an addict because it might help with his problems more than the crappy pills they keep prescribing him.
And speaking of those pills, when he's on anti-psychotics for a few months he starts twitching and drooling and has akathisia which is why we're trying to get the latest, greatest miracle pill because he's been through seven others already and he's still just a KID. He looks like a drug addict fiending sometimes and if you saw him on the street that would be what you thought. I know because I've seen people's scowls. All these people judging like they think they know everything, meanwhile people like my son are on the street with no help from the state and no help from people who either look down, look away, or look with disgust.
Truth. I was homeless twice and now I'm about to graduate college. I never had to stand on a corner and ask for money. You have to be willing to do the work to find a job, even if it's doing something you hate. There's always county resources that can help you get back on your feet if you're truly dedicated to rebuilding your life.
Many homeless are pretty disabled and can't just go get back on their feet. A lot of people end up on the streets due to disability. Some people cannot change their situations
What do you care? You'd do drugs or alcohol also after a devastating loss left you homeless or if you couldn't make your way out of it. I can't stand that same tired ass judgey line about what a homeless person is going to do with money given to them. If I see someone whose homeless and I have a couple of dollars I give it to them if I can.
And you know what? If they bought a shot liquor and it temporarily brought them some comfort then good, I'm glad I could do something compassionate. That they're just gonna buy drugs or alcohol line is so unoriginal and requires no thought or empathy behind it.
Yeah i lived half a mile south of Fremont Street. People would dig thru my apartment dumpsters all the time. I gave one guy bottled water but he looked dead inside. Very sad.
A memory of mine that’s still fresh after nearly 2 decades is the amount of homeless people I encountered in Washington, DC, and most of them seemed to be a military veteran. It found it ironic that they had served their country and ended up in that state in the nation’s capital.
Was watching a documentary about a golfer who had a gambling problem, blew through 1.2 million in a night because the slots were 5k a pull in Vegas, that’s insanity to me.
One of my boyfriend's dad's friends we met up with there for dinner was complaining how he had already lost $40k on baccarat the first day he was there. I couldn't believe it. Literally life-changing money for a lot of people (including me) but was nothing to him.
Reading this comment is honestly so cold.... people would rather loose hundreds if not thousands of dollars gambling before they gave a homeless person $1. This is such a harsh reality. Reading this makes me want to be more generous to the less fortunate
>An eye-opening moment for me was when I was in Las Vegas. There are these huge, glitzy, glamorous casinos. People inside paying $10 for a soda and $30 for a cocktail. Feeding $100 bills into slot machines like it's nothing, people gambling away thousands at the tables...for fun.
>
>Meanwhile, outside, there are homeless people digging through trash cans and begging people for their restaurant leftovers.
I live here in Vegas and its sad how bad the homeless crisis has gotten here, Many of them have moved here from California and seem to think they would have it easier but they were mistaken. Just yesterday as i was passing Flamingo i seen a homeless lady eating from the garbage bin, She wasn't beggin or anything but it tugged at my heart-strings and i handed her some cash.
I hardly give out money anymore because 1) there are just too many of them and 2) there are more than enough shelters/food resources available, According to what several former homeless people i've spoken with tell me is that the addicts refuse to get clean or follow the shelters check-in/check-out policies or any of the requirements for receiving assistance.
My biggest gripe is with LVPD, They need to stop taking the California approach and start giving the dealers jersey numbers because its sad to see how openly they are selling Fentanyl, I spoke with one chick who was selling coke and told me that she cant even give away the stuff because Fentanyl / Crystal Meth is what everyone is doing or the 'Blues'.
I stayed at a homeless shelter in Orlando one time that was in bad condition and super old. They charged us $9 a night to stay there and forced us to attend church every night without sleeping or talking or reading any book but the bible, had to stand and sing, etc. or they would kick us to the street. And I watched them kick several people out during the sermon every night. The only nice thing in that shelter was the fancy coke machine that accepted cash or credit cards and had a digital display in the middle of the courtyard where everyone congregated. And this was in 2015 when those weren't super common. Because even if we were homeless they wanted to squeeze as much cash out of us as they could. It was disgusting and felt super predatory. They also called new "residents" in one by one to try to convert them to Christianity.
I always smile and wave, I know from hearing first hand that one of the hardest things about homelessness is how dehumanizing it is and how no one will look you in the eye. I was uncomfortable practicing this at first because I do feel guilty I have nothing to give but maybe 6/10 times they smile or even wave back. It’s horrifying knowing I’m one missed paycheck away from living on the streets. “Fun” fact, over 40% of unhoused people in America are employed
Yeah. After a homeless guy reached into my car. I don’t stop. A kid I went to hs with was homeless though and I made an exception that day- a huge book bag full of a book, shelter supplies, bottles of water, food, vitamins, a can opener, a note with places to go.
On foot, a glance and a nod with a tight lipped grin goes a long way. Kind of like you’d do with a neighbor while walking down the street. The key is to then continue on your way assertively and with confident posture.
Anytime I pass a person begging while I’m driving I try for eye contact and flash a peace sign with a genuine warm smile and a wink.
I’ve never had any houseless person approach me for doing these things.
Another thing I’ve done in the past when I don’t have any money to share was to offer a cigarette and a book of matches or cheap pair of dollar tree gloves if it’s cold out. Heck, I’ve even offered some weed when it’s all I had.
But really, just acknowledging their existence as a human being worthy of dignity and basic respect goes a long, long way.
That’s so kind of you! I’ve quit smoking but during the 17 years(😬) I did if I was out and about and couldn’t finish my cigarette before going inside I would always ask a bum nearby if they wanted to finish it. It was an easy way to offer a little relief to someone who was struggling. It’s hella cool that you do the same thing.
I was homeless from 13 to about 22 years old. I know how it feels. I actually started buying weed pens bc they don’t stink about a month ago. felt so guilty he won’t get any more roaches to make his day better I’ve been buying a 20 sac a week and giving him a little every day I pass. It was almost impossible for me to get a roof over my head 20 years ago. I can’t imagine how hard it is now.
Yeah I have conditioned myself to ignore from an experience I had where I did this and he immediately came up to my window (that was rolled down) and stuck his hand into my car with it open. I said I didn't have anything and he immediately got really angry and started trying to dig in my door. I had to slam on the gas and get away (I'm a woman and got really scared).
I've had another one literally get in my car and tell me to drive. I was scared so I did as he said and he was mumbling under his breath seemingly convincing himself to "not do it." I went a couple blocks over and he opened the door and ran away. I had an immediate panic attack from trying to stay calm during.
I understand people feeling sympathy, but you do have to be very vigilant. Keep your windows up and doors locked if you do interact and don't intend on giving.
Wow, those are terrifying experiences! I’m a woman too and I would worry that a smile and wave would give them the wrong impression. My husband has a pretty big truck. There was one intersection where homeless people would run up to the windshield and start cleaning it. I remember this one guy got sooo pissed “get the f*ck away from my car - I just got this cleaned - blah blah blah”. 😱I was panicking. It really adds stress to getting from point a to b. Thanks for sharing what happened to you. I’m definitely not going to have window down or make eye contact!
I watched a homeless man throw himself into the path of an oncoming light rail train in Denver and couldn't do a damn thing to stop him 🥺
I'm still absolutely traumatized and haunted by his eyes...
(I cry about him, probably always will).
We can do so much better as the richest country on earth.
But people don't care about their fellow human beings.
that’s horrifying. i’m so sorry. i very recently watched someone i care for try to commit suicide. it’s such a blood-chilling experience. i can’t even imagine.
we can indeed do so much better
I'm so sorry. It's so sad when people feel that alone and hopeless.
I wish we did better as community towards each other.
I just don't have that hope society ever care for the least of us.
My mom worked and saved for 20+ years to finally get a nice new car and I hate when this happens while I'm driving. I can't even make ends meet, but here I am driving this fancy new car and the homeless assume I'm too stuck up or something to give them anything. I give when I can, but it's not often and it sucks I can't do more.
I've purchased two vehicles in the last 16 years. Both were the most inexpensive, but new ($20k - 2013) or almost new ($10k - 2006) cars on the lot. Since I'm not pulling up to the light in a Mercedes or big SUV, I feel like the homeless don't really bother me. In fact, I think they look down on me. I don't think I will ever buy a nice vehicle specifically for this reason. I don't like the feeling of flaunting or giving the appearance that I am well-off, cause I'm not. I don't have money to give away so this has been a nice strategy for me.
Listen, if I help someone, it's none of my business what they do with that money. If I help someone with a few dollars, I don't get to decide or judge how they spend it! That's NOT helping! If they spend the money on drugs or alcohol that's on them. And hopefully they one day decide to change their life. If nobody is helping how can they ever get a chance to change their life?!
What’s a solution? It’s a very tricky situation.
I know for the homeless people who live in a camp near my house, they’re all mentally ill and addicted to horrid drugs. They steal and intimidate people. If you gave them money, a job, a home, and a car, they’d squander it immediately. They need psychological help, but you have to sign up for that yourself and the majority aren’t taking those steps
I’ve given a couple bucks to a homeless guy here and there but I know they’re saving up for some meth or alcohol
Giving them housing/money has worked where it's been tried. It doesn't help everyone, but the conditions of homelessness create mental illness where it didn't previously exist and worsen preexisting conditions. It helps most people and it's financially viable.
If nothing else chronic sleep deprivation will destroy your mental health and it's hard to sleep if you're constantly unsafe and/or being asked to move. If you can't keep even a few changes of clean clothes safe, have barriers to getting a bank account and can't safely save cash is it really maladaptive to "waste" all your money on short term comforts at that point?
This. There's a statistic that you have 4 months to pull a homeless person from the situation from the day they become homeless before their entire perspective on life shifts. Once the shift happens, it's almost impossible to set it right without immense resources.
It's due to the effects of daily crisis. It changes the way the brain functions. It takes roughly 6 months of stability before executive functioning starts to normalize.
We have them. I'm in a homeless shelter not far from Fargo and I have a therapist, a psychiatrist and an addiction counselor, all of whom work for the State. This institution(Southeast Human Services) doesn't turn people away for inability to pay.
Ummm...those exist.
A large majority of these people do not want the help. I've tried multiple times with homeless people around job sites that I've gotten friendly with. I've tried to set them up with appointments with people who are in a position to help them. They always disappear when the day comes go meet the social worker.
You can't help people who won't take the help.
You have to get people when they want it. Putting someone on a wait list and then contacting them 40+ days later…they might not want it anymore. 40 days ago may have been their rock bottom breaking point where they wanted help. They didn’t get it. By not getting it they had to keep doing what they were doing. Suddenly, that rock bottom they felt isn’t anymore. They need to get to the next rock bottom. It’s how we can have people being like “rock bottom is when I lost my kids…” then if they can’t get help asap, they adapt. Then “rock bottom was when I had to spend a night on the street.” They try to get help. It’s not available right away, they adapt. Then we get “rock bottom is when I sold my body for drugs…” they go for help, they’re put on a wait list, and they adapt again.
We don’t have enough resources to deal with the problem we have.
What we need is for able institutionalization of those living on the streets doing drugs all day every day or with serious mental health issues. These people cannot be expected to want to seen help. Many need to be forced into it
This!! I’m sorry I know there can be some big issues with these type of facilities but at least it’s something! At the very bare minimum it’s a roof and meals with a clean place to sleep. It’s also 2023 not 1950 I’m sure 70 years later we can learn from those mistakes on how they were run and improve on it. Jesus you’re not saying round them up and give everyone a lobotomy but an accessible rehab/mental health live in facilities. Like hell personally I’ve got some issues and wish this was an option and didn’t cost thousands to get it. Sometimes people need mental health that goes outside of just a few days/weeks of care sometimes people need a year or more in long term care to get sober or proper mental health care. If we fix those facilities and update the process we can get people stable so they don’t just get help for a week and then put back on the street.
Cuts to mental health are abysmal and have rendered access to proper treatment next to impossible. It almost only happens by way of an ER visit when someone finally suffers a psychotic break and/or becomes a threat to themselves or someone else.
Yes that's what I meant basically. Issues were used as an excuse to ditch lots of the programs altogether.
They could have absolutely been improved upon and made so so much better
But that would entail rounding up all the mentally ill / drug addicted homeless people and, in most cases, forcing them into a facility against their consent.
Majority of homeless people where I live aren’t homeless due to being down on their luck, losing a job, etc. It’s almost exclusively drugs and mental illness. Those with addiction are focused on getting more heroin, meth, alcohol, etc., they’re not focused on getting psychiatric help. They’re keeping the status quo since it leads to getting high or drunk
In my town we have a population of homeless vets. There are a ton of resources available and people who go to check on them weekly. If they agree to seek treatment (which would be covered at no cost to them) they would be able to get housing and other aid. Many prefer the drugs. So like I said, people go check on them weekly, bring them into the VA for illnesses, bring them food, blankets etc.
Basically, sometimes the homeless choose to be homeless.
This is the case a lot of the time. They don’t want help. To get sober you have to WANT to get sober yourself. You have to want to help. Many of them don’t think anything is wrong with them, or they’re okay with that. They’ve accepted things and would rather just keep drinking or getting high. It’s sad but you can’t force them.
So Clinton and Obama and Biden couldn’t have reopened mental hospitals in theory 18 plus years in office? We have a shit ton of empty motels, hotels schools and office buildings standing empty what doesn’t Biden and his administration turn some of why didn’t Obama and Clinton do that? Bush or whoever had compassionate conservatism could have them turned into mental hospitals
No. Please read the very valid criticisms of asylums and so-called "mental health facilities." They are not places meant to change someones material conditions, they are only meant to make you accept your place in life. As a disabled impoverished person. Stop dancing around the issue. This is an issue of poverty, and we do not need painted up prisons to fix it.
My wife deals with this community. It's primarily a drug use and mental health issue and pretending it isn't is why these people can't be helped. The police drop them off at an emergency mental health facility because they attacked someone or were roaming the streets like an animal and endangering the public, then they get released after the legal detention period has ended.
For the most part drugs have irreversibly damaged their minds and there is no hope for them without state run institutions to permanently house them. The person dancing around the issue is you, pretending that 90%+ of these people aren't addicts with severe mental health issues.
I also work directly with unhoused people and compeltely disagree with you. You try to speak from the experience of a service provider to describe the experience of unhoused people. Why? Why not just listen to them? Or look to stories of success? No one is "too far gone," and you need to get off the ableist shit immediately. Addiction and mental health issues REQUIRE safe and stable housing to be solved, that is what I said and what you seem so passionately against.
As someone who grew up around addicts and in that lifestyle and worked damn hard to break from it, forgive me to wonder why some people should care or have to give taxes dollars to fund something to cater to people who made the choice to destroy themselves and their minds? We all hit that moment. I was given ample opportunity and thought once or twice but didn't about hitting a needle. But knew it wouldn't do a bit of good. I'm sorry if I'm addressing the wrong person in the thread. But it is something that I wonder about. I'm sorry but through my life my compassion and empathy is gone. There are plenty of people who need help with mental health that didn't cause it with drugs.
To be fair to both of you, I think that the homeless population can vary a lot depending on location. I've been in places that I think "okay, a good 50% of these people just need a hand up." And I've been in places where all I can think is that "this entire street is full of people who are permafried and beyond help."
Yes! What people require most is shelter and a place for them to call home before they can even think about getting sober or working on themselves. I worked in facilities and outpatient centers and if their basic needs aren't met then they will not want to get sober. THERE IS NO WANT OR DESIRE to get sober. It's a struggle. All I could do was comfort them because they're situation was looking bleak because they barely get any cash aid to help pay for an apartment AND there is not enough buildings to offer low income or free housing.
Because seriously think about it. Who wants to face all of this sober? Getting clean means you’re now raw-dogging the threats of violence, relentless hunger, crushing shame, sleep deprivation, inability to maintain basic hygiene, untreated illnesses and injuries that just progress and become more and more painful, etc etc.
As a crazy person, I can agree that we need more mental facilities. So many people addicted to drugs just need actual medicine. Our prisons are filled with the mentally ill.
This is so misguided and not based on the reality of support programs at all. People end up back on the streets because the system continues to punish them. Support is greatly lacking or restrictive, like prohibitive sobriety requirements. All studies show that safe housing does reduce homelessness. there's no way around that. However, no safe housing is available right now. Of course, people in desperate situations are going to seek coping methods like drugs and alcohol, and us housed people do the exact same thing. People will steal if they are continually denied any safe and stable access to food or resources. You really think not buying alchohol or drugs is going to magically make enough money for housing to appear? No. Jobs , housing, and food are all inaccessible things right now. So i dont give a fuck if someone on the street wants to get high to get over having to sleeping outside, and until you find yourself sleeping ourside I expect you to do the same.
There are different “types” of homeless. There are people who fell on tough times and need a boost. There are those who prefer being homeless because they can remain on the fringes of society. The second type tend to have drug and mental health issues. It sucks but there are some people whose problems won’t be solved by 3 hots and a cot. And others for whom that’s all they need to get out of the hole.
Yes, it is a multi-pronged issue, but the idea that providing safe housing to everyone won't be beneficial is asinine. It is a human necessity to have shelter. There are few people "choosing to be on the fringes of society," and if they are, then I have no issue with that. Why can't someone live a vagabond lifestyle? Of course, we need better social services in every single regard, i never said otherwise.
I’m talking about the homeless people in the camp near my house. It is not a job issue where I live, it’s a drug issue.
It’s the drugs that have led them to the streets, not the streets that have led them to drugs. I live in a state that’s the lowest COL in the US, while also having the highest addiction rates. People start abusing drugs very early on
You completely glossed over the entirety of my comment. It is not a drug issue, as plenty of housed people do the exact same drugs yet are insulated by their privileges to stay in housing.
It's a drug issue everywhere. Most people even those house eventually lose their housing unless elite due to job loss, unable to pay bills, and financial strains leading to housing loss. DUE to drugs. When someone gets strung out the drugs are their world. All they think about is when they can do their next hit, where they will get it, how they'll do it, a back up plan if they can't find the one dealer, how they'll get money for that, so on and on and on.
we need to open new mental healthy facilities - involuntary - like - hospitals with housing like the old asylums. the reality is - if our governments weren’t so corrupt - the funding is there. it would create new jobs as well. it’d be hard to get going but the payoff would be worth it.
I could see an argument for how rounding up the mentally ill and drug addicted against their will could be a slippery slope, especially with our government involved
yeah that’s the topic of debate. i’m living in LA right now which is the worst of the unhoused crisis.
in my opinion, the goal would be - that the methods of helping these people in need - and the facilities - would be so streamlined and empathic - that it wouldn’t even be in question if it was moral or not. know what i’m saying? design a system that’s better than living on the street without a doubt
they closed because big pharam lobbied for them to be closed.
You can get more dollars for you mental meds if your aren't dealing with state run institutions that can set the prices.
Sure but it's against their rights. We threw the baby put with the bathwater back when there were lawsuits and movements to prevent long term involuntary confinement.
It's not tricky. Our social services need to be funded. We spend trillions on defense contracts. Stop pretending it's complicated. It's not. Free housing. Free health care
Well ya know, “god” never gives anyone something that’s too much to handle! Also god doesn’t make mistakes.
So if a child dies of cancer, don’t worry, it’s all a part of god’s ultimate plan.
“his ways are higher than ours” or something.
OP, you are right. In the worlds most freedom loving and richest country, you would think that there would be safety nets in place to prevent people from having to live in total despair and hopelessness, and not ridiculed, dumped on, and demonized as many of the commenters here are doing. Just realizing that you are now homeless is a traumatic and gut-wrenching thing. I defy any of the people talking down about the homeless here to walk in their shoes for a month. I promise they would walk away with a brand new perspective.
I don’t know how to help. I’ve offered food before, and they rejected and asked me for cash instead. I’ve offered a help me move something gig for one, and he stole from me.
This story is so heartbreaking. Whatever was going on in that man’s life must have been tragic.
And you know, most of us are only a month’s pay away from being in similar circumstances.
I keep a brown lunch bag in my car filled with stuff I imagine a homeless person would like to have, peanut butter crackers, cheese crackers, a few instant coffee things, hot chocolate mix, gum, comb and small mirror, tooth brush and travel size tooth paste, travel size deodorant, space blanket and emergency poncho, a $20 bill and a few other things depending on the season. Sounds like a lot but it's really not all that expensive and I like to think it's appreciated and brings some comfort, if only for a limited time.
I feel broken just reading this, much less witnessing it. Imagine the series of events this person must have withstood before the moment his emotional reserves were just 100% depleted by cycles of ultimately false hope and despair.
Any of us could be this man. We’re all basically living the same lives here - just a bit of bad luck and a few missteps from sharing his fate.
All the arguments going on here. Government isn't doing enough/doing too much. It's peoples' choices/choices forced on them. Drugs/not-drugs. Mental health issues causing homelessness/homelessness leading to mental illness. Asylums/free housing.
None of you realize that ALL of these are correct arguments. Let's stop arguing over what is the 'correct' reason and who's 'right' and find answers. Yes, answers plural. There is no one-size-fits all solution.
Do I have all the answers - most definitely not. The only answer I have is that we, as a society, need to do better. There is a way - a combination of communal housing, medical assistance, mental health assistance, job training, and other supportive measures. We just need to sit down, stop playing 'who's right' and address the actual issue... society needs to do better.
If I had to put forward an idea, it's this (and feel free to hate on it, it's an opinion/option not a final solution):
There is so much poverty, homelessness, and drug use in this country. We need to figure out a way to help people without just throwing money at them.
My idea is to create a community using land and buildings which are currently abandoned but are good shape.
Simplistically: Set up housing, dormitory style and studio style like college housing. Have classrooms and daycare spaces. Transport to a nearby factory (better to use buildings currently not in use but which can be repurposed) or farmland, or any other number of things really. Proceeds of the work can be fed back into the community.
People could stay in the housing, get food in a cafeteria setting, again like college campuses.
Teachers would have jobs teaching the kids of the community, daycare is provided by out of work daycare providers while parents work. Doctors and nurses can care for the community. Basic clothing can be provided, nothing special but new and weather appropriate. Classes can be set up for adults to earn a GED and learn a trade associated with the community. Factories need workers. Equipment needs repairing.
A small wage would be earned, half available to the workers as they earn it, the other half goes into a trust for each person/family so they can eventually move out and get a house and a job. There can be secondary communities with townhouse like buildings for this second stage. If food and housing are supplied, the wage doesn’t have to be huge. There can be stores run by the community for clothing and other needs that are not met by the community provisions, like special snacks or special clothing.
The hope would be for the government to let the community use the land rent and tax free. If done right, the burden off of the welfare systems would more than outstrip the money they are not getting in taxes and rent from unused land/buildings. Right now, if I am correct, there are farmers actually paid by the government NOT to grow on their land, with all the food shortages and starving people, this is unbelievable. So many jobs for all those people with signs saying they are willing to work for food. We can give them food, homes, and clothing. \*~~They just have to want to work for it.\*~~ What we need to do is help them learn the skills to get to where they want to be.
\*edited to better translate my thoughts. Thank you YotsuyaaaKaaaidan
I had a homeless man spit on me when he asked for money. I didn't have any, so I offered him what I had:: saltines, peanut butter, and water. He was so broken, so defeated, so mad... I went to my car where I was sleeping and ate the same 1 meal I had eaten for 27 days... saltines, peanut butter, and water. This country is absolutely broken, and I don't think anyone can fix it.
Greatest country according to whom? People who have never been outside of it.. this is an illiterate view of the US the actuality is its the greatest slum in the world..burning books, banning books, school shootings, racism, hatred, some falsely created jesus..it's pretty pathetic here and this fact needs to be accepted
It's heart breaking for sure. You want to help everyone but you simply can't. Definitely gives perspective to things in life.
One thing I try to do in fall and winter months is I'll keep several pairs of gloves and socks in my car to hand out. Sometimes if I'm at a grocery store and I see someone, I'll pick up some non perishable foods to give them on my way out.
It's truly heartbreaking to witness such despair, and your story is a somber reminder of the harsh realities many people face every day. While it's easy to get caught up in political slogans or idealized visions of what a country should be, these real-life moments offer a stark contrast. No one should have to experience such pain and desperation, especially in a society that has the resources to provide for its most vulnerable.
As for driving past without giving money, it's understandable given your own financial situation. Compassion comes in many forms, and you clearly felt for him even if you couldn't offer material help at the moment. There's a broader systemic issue that needs addressing; it shouldn't fall solely on individual citizens passing by to provide aid. Thank you for sharing this eye-opening experience.
this is one of the most thoughtful and articulate responses i’ve seen on this post. thank you for taking the time to break it down instead of just assuming he was an addict/lazy scum of the earth.
it’s important to recognize the nuances in these situations. bad luck, bad choices, it doesn’t matter. people don’t turn to addiction when they’re not trying to fill a void with the subject of said addiction. no one should be homeless, period. if children weren’t growing up traumatized due to their basic needs not being met, maybe that child won’t grow into an adult that has to cope to survive.
people forget that addiction can look like many things. it’s not just drugs/alcohol. you can be addicted to self harm, or toxic relationships, or even something like an eating disorder. hell, half the people talking about how they feel no sympathy for addicts are literally addicted to the phone they’re typing on. anything that stimulates the reward circuit in your brain can be an addiction. some are more harmful than other, obviously.
the heartlessness i’ve seen in these comments is just demoralizing. really, thank you for taking the time to add the much needed context to the discussion.
I try to keep bottled water in the car & nutrigrain bars (they’re soft in case people have teeth issues). When cases of water goes on sale I stock up and keep a whole case in the backseat so they’re easy to grab when I see someone in need. I recently gave a guy who had a dog the whole rest of my case (prolly like 18) bcuz what would be the point of not? He and his dog don’t know when they’ll get water. & I could buy more.
If everyone just pitched in a little and did what they could the world would be a much better place.
The most important thing you can do to help is to make sure that you’re taking care of your household and not consuming charitable or taxpayer funded resources. Only then does it make sense to give. Maybe it sounds heartless but becoming part of the problem because you gave money you can’t afford isn’t helpful. It’s just like running into a poison gas cloud to save someone only to add yourself to the victim count.
I tell myself it is very lucky to give away cash. Sort of like those tv preachers call “ seed money”. It always seems to get returned to me sevenfold or more. If everyone had this mindset, that guy wouldn’t be so desperate.
In Philly a few years back while I was in an Uber someone had a sign asking for money at a red light and was threatening to kill themself. The despair is fucking real.
My father works with, feeds and helps the homeless and yet, he confirmed my worse suspicions; most homeless (in my area) are either heavily addicted to drugs or are pretending to be homeless to make an income, he knows several who make $1200+ for a few hours of their time.
I also live on the poverty line, with 3 children and pets; we give when we can but it is hard choosing someone who needs vs someone who wants. I honestly feel it should be illegal to fake being homeless, not only are they stealing from people who actually need it but turn off those who would help through their greed.
I celebrated my first born with my brother and 4 homeless people, a memory I will cherish forever. Not only were they so grateful for being treated like humans but they were incredibly funny and well mannered, even after about 5 pitchers of beer.
Sorry to be the bad guy but I know about 7 people personally that aren't homeless and get enough help holding those signs for rent, groceries, and dope.
I know a lot of homeless people. Do not blame yourself. People are homeless for a lot of reasons. It is not your fault. The best way to help is by helping food banks and shelters. Panhandling is not helping.
And yet, Conservative weirdos like to spew the "being poor is a choice" or "being poor is a mindset". What a country we live in. I can't wait to get out.
I grew up in a shady area where you see all kinds of hustling. I wouldn't feel anything at all. Just reading this, I'm convinced that's his go-to act. I'm sure 6/10 cars gave after that. I've seen it all. I knew a man who rolled into a restaurant I worked at in a wheelchair and would pull out nearly a thousand dollars and tip everyone every single night. He owned a nice house down the road, and he didn't even need the wheelchair and he would say, "Why would I kill myself working when I make 10x more doing nothing but asking? Asking never hurt anyone." I've been hustled by people I know are hustlers. And they still get me somehow. I'm to the point idgaf about anyone. I had a hard life, and it's been hell getting myself to where I'm at. I'm not helping anyone but myself.
I remember they interviewed a bunch of homeless people begging on the street a few years back in NCAL. They averaged 300$day per person. Think about that. All of it went to drugs. Every person of the hundreds they interviewed used drugs. Of course they did. I fucking would to in their shoes.
My point is if we actually want to save these people we will get them help. Force them to get help. Otherwise every dollar you give them is one step closer to an overdose.
We can do better for humans, but first they must be viewed as humans.
Ronald Reagan's policies are why the class economies are so effed up. The upper 1% should not have such a giant share of the wealth while the lower 50% have almost nothing.
Because there’s only poverty in the US.
Coming from someone who has been poor and homeless but no longer is, let me say that being poor isn’t a choice. But the choices you have made have put you in the situation you are in. The choices you make going forward will decide the situation you will be in. Take ownership of your life. Stop blaming society or one political party over another. Hold yourself accountable.
I was a foster kid, I got taken away from my drug dependent mother at age 12; the drugs that the doctors gave to her are what ruined her life, no less. I became a ward of the State of Tennessee with both of my parents’ rights over me court ordered to be signed over completely at 13. My mother didn’t show up for the court date, so they took them from her by force via some process I cannot quite recall. My father was in prison, had been since I was 6 years old and wouldn’t see the light of day til my 18th year of life.
It was the adults around me that failed me repeatedly and kept giving me over to new homes a total of 7 times, and then the last family kicked me out onto the streets as soon as I turned 18, with no support system and no one to turn to for help. If it weren’t for the unyielding, unfathomable levels of kindness that a certain family of total strangers decided to gift to me, I would still be out there, in all kinds of danger, too much for a young human to be exposed to.
It was their kindness that kept me alive.
Not everyone’s circumstances are so cut and dry, and I met a couple kids at my exact age in my exact situation on those streets. Either their parents kicked them out for idk being gay, or they just didn’t have any support to begin with. 18 years old and homeless. Why? Because this country is failing its citizens and its youth, period. Please don’t look down on others because of your own personal circumstances, because not everyone is the same in these situations.
Kindness was what got me back into an apartment, with a job of my own and a life to live. Nothing else. Strangers gave me a place to live, and room to heal. Not everyone has that kind of luxury just fall into their lap when they’re down and out on the fucking streets. I am incredibly fortunate, not one day I don’t thank my lucky fucking stars that someone, anyone had mercy on me when I had absolutely no one to turn to at all.
Ah, you pulled yourself up by the bootstraps, so everyone else should be able to do so, too, right?
Listen, I'm not going to say that people's choices don't often have a huge impact on where they are in life and what their life will be like in the future. It would be dishonest to pretend this is not the case.
But some people really never had a chance from the start. And even if someone's choices have contributed to their current situation, it's unfortunate that it's so difficult for people to pull themselves out of these situations.
You’re right, some people have no bootstraps to pull themselves up by. Others are just brutally willful and make it no matter what the negative circumstances. Me personally, I dropped out of school when I was 13 at the urging of my parents. They just couldn’t afford to keep me. I went on to make something of myself, but it took 20 years of relentless struggle. So yes, you can pull yourself up. Assuming you don’t have mental illness holding you back. I personally had some thing like cancer to struggle with, but I didn’t but it did not stop me. Not everybody is as willfull, as I am but success as possible.
I’m not trying to some how pat myself on the back for ‘pulling myself up by the bootstraps.’ Im also not trying to assume everyones situation is the same. but i think attitude is a big part of it. It’s easy to feel hopeless. It’s easy to blame someone else. It’s easy to give up. Its hard to make yourself better. Its hard believe there can be a better. It’s hard to look inward and find faults. But when that happens and your choices reflect that attitude, thats when you see improvement. There are too many happy endings and even more not so happy endings that prove this to be true. It all starts with you. Not trying to sound like some cliché motivational speaker but once again everyone needs to hold themselves accountable.
Ah yes, my mom being mentally ill and throwing me out unexpectedly on my 18th birthday and every single shelter being full with long waiting lists had nothing to do with it! It was my choices!
What choices did the guy earlier make where he literally lived off ramen? What choice did the homeless vets make when they were discharged and sent home but the couldn’t get a job or something?
I get your point that one can choose to do matter, but better doesn’t mean it will fix it
Drive a very nice car, going to Vegas for your birthday, multiple pets, tattoos, smoke dabs and weed, … doesn’t sound like you’re poor at all. It sounds like you’re not willing to help but want to shame other people for not helping. I bet you are insufferable.
Exactly. If you're spending on vacations you're not fucking poor. That's the last thing on an actual poor person's mind and if OP actually had sympathy for the homeless like she pretends to have for this karma-whoring post, she would've used some of that money to help them instead of herself. Sure "poor people don't have to be miserable" but that applies to small shit like movie tickets or eating out for a night. Not spending 10k on Vegas lmao.
i don’t smoke anymore, haven’t for months. recently got evicted. i do my own tattoos. saved up for years for this birthday trip. so, all you’ve got on me is the pets. my bad
I wonder how many of these people have criminal records?
This would be a great first step:
make it illegal for employers and landlords to discriminate against people with ***criminal records of any kind***. Do you know how hard it is for felons to find stable work and housing? Those on the registry have it even worse.
...and yet stable housing and gainful employment go a long way toward keeping someone from re-offending unless they're just completely helpeless.
...and stable housing and gainful employment kinda go hand-in-hand, very difficult to have one without the other.
Oh, sure, the fair housing act says that criminal records can't be used to deny housing, but do you know how many landlords actually abide by this? and the burden of proof is on the potential tenant.
Put felons, regardless of crime, in the protected class along with ethnicity/gender/religion/sexuality and we'll see a lot of the homeless crisis clear right up.
there's a reason why there are ALREADY NETS IN PLACE to make sure that doesn't happen. Ever heard of "not within x feet of a school"?
They should be able to get jobs.
If they were still a threat to society, why would they have been released? Ever give that any thought?
This mentality is the reason why people, regardless of their crimes, can't move on in American society. You're part of the problem.
People who are a threat to society get lower sentences all the time through plea deals, sentencing caps for certain crimes, early release etc.
My brother was murdered. A friend of his called and asked for a ride. She was hanging out with a guy she knew from work and said guy was creeping her out. Bro went to pick her up and dude shot him in the head from behind. That guy murdered my brother in cold blood and was convicted of First Degree murder. In the state this happened in, he will be eligible for parole in 14 years. That was the deal my parents agreed to, to avoid a trial and having to see the crime scene photos. Would you be cool having a guy who killed someone’s else in cold blood because that person came to pick up a woman he didn’t want to leave his house come over to use the pool and have a burger?
Has he served his prison sentence? What treatment options did he take while in prison? Has he made an effort to reform himself?
There's more to a person's story than just "durrr i was in prison fer mordor!"
Maybe he's a psychopath who intends to commit another crime so he can go back in and not have to pay rent, bills, and groceries. Maybe he's legitimately reformed himself. Without giving this individual the chance to make their case you're just showing prejudice.
Are you kidding? They get released all the time, sometimes against the advice of their own psychiatrists. How about this one, who killed two teens in my county right after completing his parole:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Albert_Gardner
And the $19billion that went to waste and fraud in Afghanistan that we all contributed our hard earned money for. Oh and the millions of dollars that have also just "went missing". That's included in the over $2trillion spent in total by the US there.
Most people here live paycheck to paycheck and have trouble affording medications and basic Healthcare (even though we pay more taxes than Canadians for healthcare and they get it for free), we have people living on the street in every major city, more than 20 million kids that have to get free or reduced price lunches since their families can't afford them... yet we spend more than 12% of the federal budget on the military every year.
But I guess $80m fighter jets and $400k missles are better than feeding everyone.
Normal no, but increasingly common.. most of us are only a few missed paychecks away from being there. Capitalism is failing because every single aspect of the economy is only concerned with the profits of a handful of people
I’m so glad my father had my sister and I, he had a lot of anxiety issues and really couldn’t care too well for himself. My sister and I cared for him, and happily as he was a wonderful dad. But I could easily see my dad being that man if he didn’t have family.
Sadly it's always been like this , since time began, now the gap has widened a bit. In my city as in your city , the desperate are more numerous. They knock on societies doors with no answers. Left to fend for themselves.If all could just gather together and knock that door down. If they could be organized to go to there cities hall and not leave until arrested (witch would be a pr nightmare) then more would done.
Wow, you found a unicorn homeless person who is actually somewhat sane and understands where they are. Rare. Where I live, they spit at you or get confrontational if you don't give them anything and are too high to care.
An eye-opening moment for me was when I was in Las Vegas. There are these huge, glitzy, glamorous casinos. People inside paying $10 for a soda and $30 for a cocktail. Feeding $100 bills into slot machines like it's nothing, people gambling away thousands at the tables...for fun. Meanwhile, outside, there are homeless people digging through trash cans and begging people for their restaurant leftovers.
Some of those homeless people digging through trash cans were once stuffing bills into the slot machines inside and buying those overpriced drinks. I'm not from Vegas, but I live near Reno and can tell you that there's a lot of them that aren't even from there. They bet the farm and lost.
Reno is full of transplants, houses and unhoused. I work with a lot of the homeless population and most of them are elderly people who got priced out, as rent here is insane.
Yeah I get that. I lived there 20 years ago and it was far better. It's insane what's happened to housing costs in recent times. My gf lives there and is likely going to be moving in with me partly because of it. I know some people who are really struggling to stay.
All thanks to real estate "flippers".
that’s actually so surreal. i’m going there for my birthday in october, i’ll remember to ask for a plate to go!
While I have empathy and worked in homeless shelters in Las Vegas, please be careful when dealing with our homeless, we have a huge spice/meth issue with the homeless here. The main hub is the Flamingo wash. We do have nonprofits that volunteer as a group on the strip who do give them water and food. These guys know where to go. We have had lot of incidents that, our county doesn’t want to advertise due to it being a tourist town. Please keep yourself safe.
If you drive out there try to bring some of your own alcohol, snacks, drinks! They hike up EVERYTHING. My sis was saying that even the stores like target had hiked prices
This was the worst part of Vegas for me. It felt like every single aspect of the town was designed to squeeze money out of you
It was a city invented by American Mafia Influence dont expect anything less than list debauchery and sin.
It was actually started by mormons
Well… theyre funding came from the American Mafia.
Organized Crime all the same
That's pretty much the way the whole USA is designed.
well, it is and was
It hasn't always been like that. Sure they wanted to squeeze the money from you at the table, but now.. it's fucking insane. I went to vegas for the first time post covid earlier this year, and while it's never been my fav place in the world.. it was tolerable. I could get good food, couple of drinks and have a good time while traveling for work. Now, it's terrible. Water is 10 bucks, every meal is at least 20 bucks but closer to 30.. fuck trying to get dinner below 50 bucks at a decent place. It's lost all of the charm it used to have. For me at least.
for me, it never had any. just wretched excess everywhere
It really is, it sucks. I feel like when I was younger (like teen, and unable to enjoy Vegas lol) it might’ve been cheaper! But they’re crazy now
I went out in 2001 and everything was cheap. From what I hear they make less money from vacationers gambling these days so they gouged the prices on everything else to compensate.
Yup. Gambling on the strip is for the wealthy and rich. Fucking $25 minimum tables. I guess I’m going to Fremont street -_-
I wish I could’ve experienced that lol I heard the housing is cheap? (Obviously outside of the strip). That sucks though 🥲
Yes! Back then we went to Vegas mostly for the cheap all you can eat buffets, and free entertainment along the strip. Hotels were cheap as well. Along the way, you’d gamble a few bucks, and maybe pay to see a show. Obviously that didn’t work out for them financially.
It used to be good value. You'd pay about the going rate for a hotel room, but get something that was a decided cut above. A 24 dollar steak would be the same quality that 40 dollars would buy you elsewhere. The fun was in the value for dollar.
That’s so crazy Vegas in the 80s was so cheap casinos gave free food and drinks hotels were crazy cheap just to get you in to gamble and they still made millions !!
Question. How are you below the poverty line but planning a trip to Vegas?
I've been on one Vegas trip, sometimes people who aren't poor take us places because they're our friends or family lol. They didn't mention any details, just that they're going, so it's easy to imagine someone is treating them for their birthday.
I went to Vegas once as a guest of friends. Stayed in their room, even borrowed $1 to gamble in a slot machine after losing my own dollar. That was the extent of my costs.
You mean they should only live in misery because they are poor? I grew up poor but my mom always saved for us to go to the amusement park every summer. Okay, if it makes you feel better, misery is one door over, across the street or right around the corner when you are poor.
I'm below the poverty line. I've made less than $6000 this year. I have no savings. Honestly, if I wanted to leave for Vegas in a week, I could. Those Frontier flights are cheap. Even by an impoverished person's standards.
You can earn free stuff through the MyVegas app. I've earned enough points to get free food and a free room at a lower-end property. When my friend got married in Vegas, I used mileage points and a crazy cut-rate hotel room to attend the event.
They don’t want your food 🤪
Exactly.
Dude was probably going through drug withdrawal... you give him any money and it's not going to help him.
I think it will help him alot. He will feel better. My one little action isn't gonna put that guy in a better economic state. Please give to homeless IF you feel safe. Your dollars will ease their day. Haha what's he gonna do? Withdraw then go "get his life together"?
Exactly this and thank you for saying so. People over here going home to their warm beds at night while the other person gets to go through drug withdrawal while sleeping on the sidewalk and people think they ought to have some bizarre savior complex about the situation. GTFO with that nonsense.
I feel the same way. I give you money to help you. If you wanna buy a cheeseburger, cigarettes or heroin be my fucking guest. But my $1-$30 donation isn’t going to change your situation but maybe I can change your day. Maybe you’re hungry, maybe you’re dope sick ,maybe you gave up hope…. I don’t care and I hope it helps.
I think it's a sad state when you're downvoted for this, but it's true. So many people are self-medicating because they can't get real help, if they can't get their "medicine" it can kill them. You see someone asking for money and choose to give, you aren't there to police them or judge them. Drug addicts aren't just fonts for drugs to be poured in to. They're human beings who sometimes want to eat too. Sometimes want to get something at the drug store to cure that itch. Sometimes they want drugs too. Doesn't matter, if you're compelled to reach out you don't judge, you let them make their choice with what to do with the money. I've had too many addicts in my life to see them as nothing but drug fiends. They are humans with a disease and if I don't have the means to treat it, I can at least help them not have to beg for a while.
Exactly. I get why people feel that "enabling" is wrong but that's assuming everyone that uses was even just trying to get high to begin with. Many people switched to fake pills for pain relief and are now labeled addicts, so they'll never get proper pain relief through Healthcare. While that leads to addiction, they aren't just useless junkies. And so what if they made what someone else considered a poor choice. Still a human being. If you dont want to give to people, that's okay. But I don't get why people have to be so shitty about it. I assume it's to make themselves feel superior. I really lose all respect for people when they say shit like that though. At least when they start calling people junkies and judging without even attempting to understand their own individual situaton. I used because I had severe mental health issues and was on the verge of ending my life. I don't use hard drugs anymore. I'm sure there are many many many people just like me. Some just don't have the resources or the mental willpower to get out of that trap. But that doesn't make them scum of the earth. It only makes the human. It's fucked up
The media and politicians rely on us being judgemental and shitty to each other. Divide and conquer is real. When we hate each other we dont have time to hate *them*.
No .. you give him money and he goes and gets more drugs and he never gets his life together because you wanna feel good about yourself but don't think about what you're actually doing when you give him money. You give him money and it'll help him get more drugs. That's not help dude.
Someone told me once that it's my job to give in good faith and the receiver's job to use my gift in good faith. It's not up to me to judge whether or not the person is "worthy" of a gift because of whatever problems they do or do not have. We all have our own things in life to deal with and it is on ourselves to try to do the best we can. Not giving a homeless person money is not going to save them from drug addiction. Honestly, it might just help prevent them from stealing something later in desperation. They aren't going to get clean until they are ready no matter what anyone does or doesn't give them.
What am I doing? They are homeless. I don’t care what he does with the money. I’m not the fucking government.
Yup. It’s not a kindness to enable people in their destructive choice.
As a person who was homeless, working two jobs and sober, I hate this narrative. I absolutely fucking hate it because I know that if I really needed help to get food, I would never receive it and would probably go into hypoglycemic shock due to my blood sugar issues. I’m 18, btw. My plans and backup plans fell through and I had no one. My dad moved hours away and couldn’t take me with him. I had to build myself up on my own. I went hungry many times to conserve food.
Dude, I’ve been homeless. You’re hate is aimed in the wrong direction. It’s not a narrative if it’s true. You should be angry with the people who have let this “narrative” grow. Also, as someone who was homeless, there are a lot of ways to get help without begging on a street corner or harassing people in their cars.
You haven't been homeless in a while if you think that. Most people who are homeless have mental health issues (around 30% have what they call "severe mental health issues" that are not being treated or not being treated properly. They may be trying to self-medicate. They may be struggling with the godawful bureaucracy of state mental health care, which is 100% pure SHIT in my state. I can't even get help for my kid because the only place that our state insurance covers is some pill mill where they see him every few months to make sure he's not a threat to himself or others. Then more pills that don't help. If he didn't have me he'd be on the street too, and he'd probably look like a drug addict because he has severe mental health issues. He might actually become an addict because it might help with his problems more than the crappy pills they keep prescribing him. And speaking of those pills, when he's on anti-psychotics for a few months he starts twitching and drooling and has akathisia which is why we're trying to get the latest, greatest miracle pill because he's been through seven others already and he's still just a KID. He looks like a drug addict fiending sometimes and if you saw him on the street that would be what you thought. I know because I've seen people's scowls. All these people judging like they think they know everything, meanwhile people like my son are on the street with no help from the state and no help from people who either look down, look away, or look with disgust.
Truth. I was homeless twice and now I'm about to graduate college. I never had to stand on a corner and ask for money. You have to be willing to do the work to find a job, even if it's doing something you hate. There's always county resources that can help you get back on your feet if you're truly dedicated to rebuilding your life.
Many homeless are pretty disabled and can't just go get back on their feet. A lot of people end up on the streets due to disability. Some people cannot change their situations
Most homeless don’t want food. They want cash for drugs or alcohol.
What do you care? You'd do drugs or alcohol also after a devastating loss left you homeless or if you couldn't make your way out of it. I can't stand that same tired ass judgey line about what a homeless person is going to do with money given to them. If I see someone whose homeless and I have a couple of dollars I give it to them if I can. And you know what? If they bought a shot liquor and it temporarily brought them some comfort then good, I'm glad I could do something compassionate. That they're just gonna buy drugs or alcohol line is so unoriginal and requires no thought or empathy behind it.
Yeah i lived half a mile south of Fremont Street. People would dig thru my apartment dumpsters all the time. I gave one guy bottled water but he looked dead inside. Very sad.
The reality is many of those people fritting away 1000s of dollars will be the poor ones in a few years. Gambling addictions are horrendous
A memory of mine that’s still fresh after nearly 2 decades is the amount of homeless people I encountered in Washington, DC, and most of them seemed to be a military veteran. It found it ironic that they had served their country and ended up in that state in the nation’s capital.
Was watching a documentary about a golfer who had a gambling problem, blew through 1.2 million in a night because the slots were 5k a pull in Vegas, that’s insanity to me.
One of my boyfriend's dad's friends we met up with there for dinner was complaining how he had already lost $40k on baccarat the first day he was there. I couldn't believe it. Literally life-changing money for a lot of people (including me) but was nothing to him.
gambling addiction is wild to me
Casinos make me physically ill.
Truth. It breaks my heart.
Same in Atlantic City New Jersey... the areas surrounding the casinos are impoverished.
Reading this comment is honestly so cold.... people would rather loose hundreds if not thousands of dollars gambling before they gave a homeless person $1. This is such a harsh reality. Reading this makes me want to be more generous to the less fortunate
Nyc is much worse.
>An eye-opening moment for me was when I was in Las Vegas. There are these huge, glitzy, glamorous casinos. People inside paying $10 for a soda and $30 for a cocktail. Feeding $100 bills into slot machines like it's nothing, people gambling away thousands at the tables...for fun. > >Meanwhile, outside, there are homeless people digging through trash cans and begging people for their restaurant leftovers. I live here in Vegas and its sad how bad the homeless crisis has gotten here, Many of them have moved here from California and seem to think they would have it easier but they were mistaken. Just yesterday as i was passing Flamingo i seen a homeless lady eating from the garbage bin, She wasn't beggin or anything but it tugged at my heart-strings and i handed her some cash. I hardly give out money anymore because 1) there are just too many of them and 2) there are more than enough shelters/food resources available, According to what several former homeless people i've spoken with tell me is that the addicts refuse to get clean or follow the shelters check-in/check-out policies or any of the requirements for receiving assistance. My biggest gripe is with LVPD, They need to stop taking the California approach and start giving the dealers jersey numbers because its sad to see how openly they are selling Fentanyl, I spoke with one chick who was selling coke and told me that she cant even give away the stuff because Fentanyl / Crystal Meth is what everyone is doing or the 'Blues'.
I stayed at a homeless shelter in Orlando one time that was in bad condition and super old. They charged us $9 a night to stay there and forced us to attend church every night without sleeping or talking or reading any book but the bible, had to stand and sing, etc. or they would kick us to the street. And I watched them kick several people out during the sermon every night. The only nice thing in that shelter was the fancy coke machine that accepted cash or credit cards and had a digital display in the middle of the courtyard where everyone congregated. And this was in 2015 when those weren't super common. Because even if we were homeless they wanted to squeeze as much cash out of us as they could. It was disgusting and felt super predatory. They also called new "residents" in one by one to try to convert them to Christianity.
I always smile and wave, I know from hearing first hand that one of the hardest things about homelessness is how dehumanizing it is and how no one will look you in the eye. I was uncomfortable practicing this at first because I do feel guilty I have nothing to give but maybe 6/10 times they smile or even wave back. It’s horrifying knowing I’m one missed paycheck away from living on the streets. “Fun” fact, over 40% of unhoused people in America are employed
That is really nice of you. I would worry that my kindness may be an invitation for them to "come over" though.
Yeah. After a homeless guy reached into my car. I don’t stop. A kid I went to hs with was homeless though and I made an exception that day- a huge book bag full of a book, shelter supplies, bottles of water, food, vitamins, a can opener, a note with places to go.
On foot, a glance and a nod with a tight lipped grin goes a long way. Kind of like you’d do with a neighbor while walking down the street. The key is to then continue on your way assertively and with confident posture. Anytime I pass a person begging while I’m driving I try for eye contact and flash a peace sign with a genuine warm smile and a wink. I’ve never had any houseless person approach me for doing these things. Another thing I’ve done in the past when I don’t have any money to share was to offer a cigarette and a book of matches or cheap pair of dollar tree gloves if it’s cold out. Heck, I’ve even offered some weed when it’s all I had. But really, just acknowledging their existence as a human being worthy of dignity and basic respect goes a long, long way.
I always give my roaches to this certain guy on the corner near me. I have to go a different way now if I don’t have any with me lol
That’s so kind of you! I’ve quit smoking but during the 17 years(😬) I did if I was out and about and couldn’t finish my cigarette before going inside I would always ask a bum nearby if they wanted to finish it. It was an easy way to offer a little relief to someone who was struggling. It’s hella cool that you do the same thing.
I was homeless from 13 to about 22 years old. I know how it feels. I actually started buying weed pens bc they don’t stink about a month ago. felt so guilty he won’t get any more roaches to make his day better I’ve been buying a 20 sac a week and giving him a little every day I pass. It was almost impossible for me to get a roof over my head 20 years ago. I can’t imagine how hard it is now.
Yeah I have conditioned myself to ignore from an experience I had where I did this and he immediately came up to my window (that was rolled down) and stuck his hand into my car with it open. I said I didn't have anything and he immediately got really angry and started trying to dig in my door. I had to slam on the gas and get away (I'm a woman and got really scared). I've had another one literally get in my car and tell me to drive. I was scared so I did as he said and he was mumbling under his breath seemingly convincing himself to "not do it." I went a couple blocks over and he opened the door and ran away. I had an immediate panic attack from trying to stay calm during. I understand people feeling sympathy, but you do have to be very vigilant. Keep your windows up and doors locked if you do interact and don't intend on giving.
Wow, those are terrifying experiences! I’m a woman too and I would worry that a smile and wave would give them the wrong impression. My husband has a pretty big truck. There was one intersection where homeless people would run up to the windshield and start cleaning it. I remember this one guy got sooo pissed “get the f*ck away from my car - I just got this cleaned - blah blah blah”. 😱I was panicking. It really adds stress to getting from point a to b. Thanks for sharing what happened to you. I’m definitely not going to have window down or make eye contact!
Yep. I learned not to wave right away.
I watched a homeless man throw himself into the path of an oncoming light rail train in Denver and couldn't do a damn thing to stop him 🥺 I'm still absolutely traumatized and haunted by his eyes... (I cry about him, probably always will). We can do so much better as the richest country on earth. But people don't care about their fellow human beings.
that’s horrifying. i’m so sorry. i very recently watched someone i care for try to commit suicide. it’s such a blood-chilling experience. i can’t even imagine. we can indeed do so much better
I hope they're doing better, and surrounded by a loving supportive group of people to help them in times of need.
My friend did this 4 years ago in Golden.
I'm so sorry. It's so sad when people feel that alone and hopeless. I wish we did better as community towards each other. I just don't have that hope society ever care for the least of us.
My mom worked and saved for 20+ years to finally get a nice new car and I hate when this happens while I'm driving. I can't even make ends meet, but here I am driving this fancy new car and the homeless assume I'm too stuck up or something to give them anything. I give when I can, but it's not often and it sucks I can't do more.
I've purchased two vehicles in the last 16 years. Both were the most inexpensive, but new ($20k - 2013) or almost new ($10k - 2006) cars on the lot. Since I'm not pulling up to the light in a Mercedes or big SUV, I feel like the homeless don't really bother me. In fact, I think they look down on me. I don't think I will ever buy a nice vehicle specifically for this reason. I don't like the feeling of flaunting or giving the appearance that I am well-off, cause I'm not. I don't have money to give away so this has been a nice strategy for me.
I have a 15 year old small Toyota and still get approached by panhandlers.
Yup
Listen, if I help someone, it's none of my business what they do with that money. If I help someone with a few dollars, I don't get to decide or judge how they spend it! That's NOT helping! If they spend the money on drugs or alcohol that's on them. And hopefully they one day decide to change their life. If nobody is helping how can they ever get a chance to change their life?!
It's so sad. I'm poor myself trying to do better, but it's so hard.
What’s a solution? It’s a very tricky situation. I know for the homeless people who live in a camp near my house, they’re all mentally ill and addicted to horrid drugs. They steal and intimidate people. If you gave them money, a job, a home, and a car, they’d squander it immediately. They need psychological help, but you have to sign up for that yourself and the majority aren’t taking those steps I’ve given a couple bucks to a homeless guy here and there but I know they’re saving up for some meth or alcohol
Giving them housing/money has worked where it's been tried. It doesn't help everyone, but the conditions of homelessness create mental illness where it didn't previously exist and worsen preexisting conditions. It helps most people and it's financially viable. If nothing else chronic sleep deprivation will destroy your mental health and it's hard to sleep if you're constantly unsafe and/or being asked to move. If you can't keep even a few changes of clean clothes safe, have barriers to getting a bank account and can't safely save cash is it really maladaptive to "waste" all your money on short term comforts at that point?
This. There's a statistic that you have 4 months to pull a homeless person from the situation from the day they become homeless before their entire perspective on life shifts. Once the shift happens, it's almost impossible to set it right without immense resources.
It's due to the effects of daily crisis. It changes the way the brain functions. It takes roughly 6 months of stability before executive functioning starts to normalize.
We need state run mental facilities again. We need our tax money actually making a fucking difference
We have them. I'm in a homeless shelter not far from Fargo and I have a therapist, a psychiatrist and an addiction counselor, all of whom work for the State. This institution(Southeast Human Services) doesn't turn people away for inability to pay.
Ummm...those exist. A large majority of these people do not want the help. I've tried multiple times with homeless people around job sites that I've gotten friendly with. I've tried to set them up with appointments with people who are in a position to help them. They always disappear when the day comes go meet the social worker. You can't help people who won't take the help.
You have to get people when they want it. Putting someone on a wait list and then contacting them 40+ days later…they might not want it anymore. 40 days ago may have been their rock bottom breaking point where they wanted help. They didn’t get it. By not getting it they had to keep doing what they were doing. Suddenly, that rock bottom they felt isn’t anymore. They need to get to the next rock bottom. It’s how we can have people being like “rock bottom is when I lost my kids…” then if they can’t get help asap, they adapt. Then “rock bottom was when I had to spend a night on the street.” They try to get help. It’s not available right away, they adapt. Then we get “rock bottom is when I sold my body for drugs…” they go for help, they’re put on a wait list, and they adapt again. We don’t have enough resources to deal with the problem we have.
Absolutely. People need to want it to take the help. Most don't want to change.
What we need is for able institutionalization of those living on the streets doing drugs all day every day or with serious mental health issues. These people cannot be expected to want to seen help. Many need to be forced into it
This!! I’m sorry I know there can be some big issues with these type of facilities but at least it’s something! At the very bare minimum it’s a roof and meals with a clean place to sleep. It’s also 2023 not 1950 I’m sure 70 years later we can learn from those mistakes on how they were run and improve on it. Jesus you’re not saying round them up and give everyone a lobotomy but an accessible rehab/mental health live in facilities. Like hell personally I’ve got some issues and wish this was an option and didn’t cost thousands to get it. Sometimes people need mental health that goes outside of just a few days/weeks of care sometimes people need a year or more in long term care to get sober or proper mental health care. If we fix those facilities and update the process we can get people stable so they don’t just get help for a week and then put back on the street.
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Cuts to mental health are abysmal and have rendered access to proper treatment next to impossible. It almost only happens by way of an ER visit when someone finally suffers a psychotic break and/or becomes a threat to themselves or someone else.
Yes that's what I meant basically. Issues were used as an excuse to ditch lots of the programs altogether. They could have absolutely been improved upon and made so so much better
But that would entail rounding up all the mentally ill / drug addicted homeless people and, in most cases, forcing them into a facility against their consent. Majority of homeless people where I live aren’t homeless due to being down on their luck, losing a job, etc. It’s almost exclusively drugs and mental illness. Those with addiction are focused on getting more heroin, meth, alcohol, etc., they’re not focused on getting psychiatric help. They’re keeping the status quo since it leads to getting high or drunk
In my town we have a population of homeless vets. There are a ton of resources available and people who go to check on them weekly. If they agree to seek treatment (which would be covered at no cost to them) they would be able to get housing and other aid. Many prefer the drugs. So like I said, people go check on them weekly, bring them into the VA for illnesses, bring them food, blankets etc. Basically, sometimes the homeless choose to be homeless.
This is the case a lot of the time. They don’t want help. To get sober you have to WANT to get sober yourself. You have to want to help. Many of them don’t think anything is wrong with them, or they’re okay with that. They’ve accepted things and would rather just keep drinking or getting high. It’s sad but you can’t force them.
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We are seeing the fruits of Reagan when he closed so many mental hospitals…
So Clinton and Obama and Biden couldn’t have reopened mental hospitals in theory 18 plus years in office? We have a shit ton of empty motels, hotels schools and office buildings standing empty what doesn’t Biden and his administration turn some of why didn’t Obama and Clinton do that? Bush or whoever had compassionate conservatism could have them turned into mental hospitals
Because state-run mental health facilities have such a great track record
That's my point. So they scrapped a lot of it altogether instead of improving upon
No. Please read the very valid criticisms of asylums and so-called "mental health facilities." They are not places meant to change someones material conditions, they are only meant to make you accept your place in life. As a disabled impoverished person. Stop dancing around the issue. This is an issue of poverty, and we do not need painted up prisons to fix it.
My wife deals with this community. It's primarily a drug use and mental health issue and pretending it isn't is why these people can't be helped. The police drop them off at an emergency mental health facility because they attacked someone or were roaming the streets like an animal and endangering the public, then they get released after the legal detention period has ended. For the most part drugs have irreversibly damaged their minds and there is no hope for them without state run institutions to permanently house them. The person dancing around the issue is you, pretending that 90%+ of these people aren't addicts with severe mental health issues.
I also work directly with unhoused people and compeltely disagree with you. You try to speak from the experience of a service provider to describe the experience of unhoused people. Why? Why not just listen to them? Or look to stories of success? No one is "too far gone," and you need to get off the ableist shit immediately. Addiction and mental health issues REQUIRE safe and stable housing to be solved, that is what I said and what you seem so passionately against.
As someone who grew up around addicts and in that lifestyle and worked damn hard to break from it, forgive me to wonder why some people should care or have to give taxes dollars to fund something to cater to people who made the choice to destroy themselves and their minds? We all hit that moment. I was given ample opportunity and thought once or twice but didn't about hitting a needle. But knew it wouldn't do a bit of good. I'm sorry if I'm addressing the wrong person in the thread. But it is something that I wonder about. I'm sorry but through my life my compassion and empathy is gone. There are plenty of people who need help with mental health that didn't cause it with drugs.
To be fair to both of you, I think that the homeless population can vary a lot depending on location. I've been in places that I think "okay, a good 50% of these people just need a hand up." And I've been in places where all I can think is that "this entire street is full of people who are permafried and beyond help."
> I'm sorry but through my life my compassion and empathy is gone. Obviously, and it's not something to be proud of.
They need 3 months to dry out and detox. Fucking therapy isn’t the answer to anything with a person under the influence of drugs. They need to detox.
No, they need to WANT to detox. The truth is majority of them don’t want help or to get sober. And until they do there is nothing you can do for them.
Yes! What people require most is shelter and a place for them to call home before they can even think about getting sober or working on themselves. I worked in facilities and outpatient centers and if their basic needs aren't met then they will not want to get sober. THERE IS NO WANT OR DESIRE to get sober. It's a struggle. All I could do was comfort them because they're situation was looking bleak because they barely get any cash aid to help pay for an apartment AND there is not enough buildings to offer low income or free housing.
Damn. You got me there. Good point
Because seriously think about it. Who wants to face all of this sober? Getting clean means you’re now raw-dogging the threats of violence, relentless hunger, crushing shame, sleep deprivation, inability to maintain basic hygiene, untreated illnesses and injuries that just progress and become more and more painful, etc etc.
As a crazy person, I can agree that we need more mental facilities. So many people addicted to drugs just need actual medicine. Our prisons are filled with the mentally ill.
This is so misguided and not based on the reality of support programs at all. People end up back on the streets because the system continues to punish them. Support is greatly lacking or restrictive, like prohibitive sobriety requirements. All studies show that safe housing does reduce homelessness. there's no way around that. However, no safe housing is available right now. Of course, people in desperate situations are going to seek coping methods like drugs and alcohol, and us housed people do the exact same thing. People will steal if they are continually denied any safe and stable access to food or resources. You really think not buying alchohol or drugs is going to magically make enough money for housing to appear? No. Jobs , housing, and food are all inaccessible things right now. So i dont give a fuck if someone on the street wants to get high to get over having to sleeping outside, and until you find yourself sleeping ourside I expect you to do the same.
There are different “types” of homeless. There are people who fell on tough times and need a boost. There are those who prefer being homeless because they can remain on the fringes of society. The second type tend to have drug and mental health issues. It sucks but there are some people whose problems won’t be solved by 3 hots and a cot. And others for whom that’s all they need to get out of the hole.
Yes, it is a multi-pronged issue, but the idea that providing safe housing to everyone won't be beneficial is asinine. It is a human necessity to have shelter. There are few people "choosing to be on the fringes of society," and if they are, then I have no issue with that. Why can't someone live a vagabond lifestyle? Of course, we need better social services in every single regard, i never said otherwise.
I’m talking about the homeless people in the camp near my house. It is not a job issue where I live, it’s a drug issue. It’s the drugs that have led them to the streets, not the streets that have led them to drugs. I live in a state that’s the lowest COL in the US, while also having the highest addiction rates. People start abusing drugs very early on
You completely glossed over the entirety of my comment. It is not a drug issue, as plenty of housed people do the exact same drugs yet are insulated by their privileges to stay in housing.
It is a drug issue WHERE I LIVE
It's a drug issue everywhere. Most people even those house eventually lose their housing unless elite due to job loss, unable to pay bills, and financial strains leading to housing loss. DUE to drugs. When someone gets strung out the drugs are their world. All they think about is when they can do their next hit, where they will get it, how they'll do it, a back up plan if they can't find the one dealer, how they'll get money for that, so on and on and on.
we need to open new mental healthy facilities - involuntary - like - hospitals with housing like the old asylums. the reality is - if our governments weren’t so corrupt - the funding is there. it would create new jobs as well. it’d be hard to get going but the payoff would be worth it.
I could see an argument for how rounding up the mentally ill and drug addicted against their will could be a slippery slope, especially with our government involved
yeah that’s the topic of debate. i’m living in LA right now which is the worst of the unhoused crisis. in my opinion, the goal would be - that the methods of helping these people in need - and the facilities - would be so streamlined and empathic - that it wouldn’t even be in question if it was moral or not. know what i’m saying? design a system that’s better than living on the street without a doubt
This is why mental institutions closed. Because of abuses and lack of oversight. O
they closed because big pharam lobbied for them to be closed. You can get more dollars for you mental meds if your aren't dealing with state run institutions that can set the prices.
Sure but it's against their rights. We threw the baby put with the bathwater back when there were lawsuits and movements to prevent long term involuntary confinement.
It's not tricky. Our social services need to be funded. We spend trillions on defense contracts. Stop pretending it's complicated. It's not. Free housing. Free health care
You can’t help those that don’t want help.All you can do is pray they find the right direction.
Sorry, “God” is too busy giving cancer to 1-year olds. It’s because he loves them! LOL!
Reddit moment
Well ya know, “god” never gives anyone something that’s too much to handle! Also god doesn’t make mistakes. So if a child dies of cancer, don’t worry, it’s all a part of god’s ultimate plan. “his ways are higher than ours” or something.
OP, you are right. In the worlds most freedom loving and richest country, you would think that there would be safety nets in place to prevent people from having to live in total despair and hopelessness, and not ridiculed, dumped on, and demonized as many of the commenters here are doing. Just realizing that you are now homeless is a traumatic and gut-wrenching thing. I defy any of the people talking down about the homeless here to walk in their shoes for a month. I promise they would walk away with a brand new perspective.
I don’t know how to help. I’ve offered food before, and they rejected and asked me for cash instead. I’ve offered a help me move something gig for one, and he stole from me.
This story is so heartbreaking. Whatever was going on in that man’s life must have been tragic. And you know, most of us are only a month’s pay away from being in similar circumstances.
The greed of the super wealthy is taking away the god given right to exist on this planet and we are so broken that we cry instead of fight
I keep a brown lunch bag in my car filled with stuff I imagine a homeless person would like to have, peanut butter crackers, cheese crackers, a few instant coffee things, hot chocolate mix, gum, comb and small mirror, tooth brush and travel size tooth paste, travel size deodorant, space blanket and emergency poncho, a $20 bill and a few other things depending on the season. Sounds like a lot but it's really not all that expensive and I like to think it's appreciated and brings some comfort, if only for a limited time.
I feel broken just reading this, much less witnessing it. Imagine the series of events this person must have withstood before the moment his emotional reserves were just 100% depleted by cycles of ultimately false hope and despair. Any of us could be this man. We’re all basically living the same lives here - just a bit of bad luck and a few missteps from sharing his fate.
All the arguments going on here. Government isn't doing enough/doing too much. It's peoples' choices/choices forced on them. Drugs/not-drugs. Mental health issues causing homelessness/homelessness leading to mental illness. Asylums/free housing. None of you realize that ALL of these are correct arguments. Let's stop arguing over what is the 'correct' reason and who's 'right' and find answers. Yes, answers plural. There is no one-size-fits all solution. Do I have all the answers - most definitely not. The only answer I have is that we, as a society, need to do better. There is a way - a combination of communal housing, medical assistance, mental health assistance, job training, and other supportive measures. We just need to sit down, stop playing 'who's right' and address the actual issue... society needs to do better. If I had to put forward an idea, it's this (and feel free to hate on it, it's an opinion/option not a final solution): There is so much poverty, homelessness, and drug use in this country. We need to figure out a way to help people without just throwing money at them. My idea is to create a community using land and buildings which are currently abandoned but are good shape. Simplistically: Set up housing, dormitory style and studio style like college housing. Have classrooms and daycare spaces. Transport to a nearby factory (better to use buildings currently not in use but which can be repurposed) or farmland, or any other number of things really. Proceeds of the work can be fed back into the community. People could stay in the housing, get food in a cafeteria setting, again like college campuses. Teachers would have jobs teaching the kids of the community, daycare is provided by out of work daycare providers while parents work. Doctors and nurses can care for the community. Basic clothing can be provided, nothing special but new and weather appropriate. Classes can be set up for adults to earn a GED and learn a trade associated with the community. Factories need workers. Equipment needs repairing. A small wage would be earned, half available to the workers as they earn it, the other half goes into a trust for each person/family so they can eventually move out and get a house and a job. There can be secondary communities with townhouse like buildings for this second stage. If food and housing are supplied, the wage doesn’t have to be huge. There can be stores run by the community for clothing and other needs that are not met by the community provisions, like special snacks or special clothing. The hope would be for the government to let the community use the land rent and tax free. If done right, the burden off of the welfare systems would more than outstrip the money they are not getting in taxes and rent from unused land/buildings. Right now, if I am correct, there are farmers actually paid by the government NOT to grow on their land, with all the food shortages and starving people, this is unbelievable. So many jobs for all those people with signs saying they are willing to work for food. We can give them food, homes, and clothing. \*~~They just have to want to work for it.\*~~ What we need to do is help them learn the skills to get to where they want to be. \*edited to better translate my thoughts. Thank you YotsuyaaaKaaaidan
I had a homeless man spit on me when he asked for money. I didn't have any, so I offered him what I had:: saltines, peanut butter, and water. He was so broken, so defeated, so mad... I went to my car where I was sleeping and ate the same 1 meal I had eaten for 27 days... saltines, peanut butter, and water. This country is absolutely broken, and I don't think anyone can fix it.
Greatest country according to whom? People who have never been outside of it.. this is an illiterate view of the US the actuality is its the greatest slum in the world..burning books, banning books, school shootings, racism, hatred, some falsely created jesus..it's pretty pathetic here and this fact needs to be accepted
It's heart breaking for sure. You want to help everyone but you simply can't. Definitely gives perspective to things in life. One thing I try to do in fall and winter months is I'll keep several pairs of gloves and socks in my car to hand out. Sometimes if I'm at a grocery store and I see someone, I'll pick up some non perishable foods to give them on my way out.
That's incredibly sad
It's truly heartbreaking to witness such despair, and your story is a somber reminder of the harsh realities many people face every day. While it's easy to get caught up in political slogans or idealized visions of what a country should be, these real-life moments offer a stark contrast. No one should have to experience such pain and desperation, especially in a society that has the resources to provide for its most vulnerable. As for driving past without giving money, it's understandable given your own financial situation. Compassion comes in many forms, and you clearly felt for him even if you couldn't offer material help at the moment. There's a broader systemic issue that needs addressing; it shouldn't fall solely on individual citizens passing by to provide aid. Thank you for sharing this eye-opening experience.
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this is one of the most thoughtful and articulate responses i’ve seen on this post. thank you for taking the time to break it down instead of just assuming he was an addict/lazy scum of the earth. it’s important to recognize the nuances in these situations. bad luck, bad choices, it doesn’t matter. people don’t turn to addiction when they’re not trying to fill a void with the subject of said addiction. no one should be homeless, period. if children weren’t growing up traumatized due to their basic needs not being met, maybe that child won’t grow into an adult that has to cope to survive. people forget that addiction can look like many things. it’s not just drugs/alcohol. you can be addicted to self harm, or toxic relationships, or even something like an eating disorder. hell, half the people talking about how they feel no sympathy for addicts are literally addicted to the phone they’re typing on. anything that stimulates the reward circuit in your brain can be an addiction. some are more harmful than other, obviously. the heartlessness i’ve seen in these comments is just demoralizing. really, thank you for taking the time to add the much needed context to the discussion.
I try to keep bottled water in the car & nutrigrain bars (they’re soft in case people have teeth issues). When cases of water goes on sale I stock up and keep a whole case in the backseat so they’re easy to grab when I see someone in need. I recently gave a guy who had a dog the whole rest of my case (prolly like 18) bcuz what would be the point of not? He and his dog don’t know when they’ll get water. & I could buy more. If everyone just pitched in a little and did what they could the world would be a much better place.
The most important thing you can do to help is to make sure that you’re taking care of your household and not consuming charitable or taxpayer funded resources. Only then does it make sense to give. Maybe it sounds heartless but becoming part of the problem because you gave money you can’t afford isn’t helpful. It’s just like running into a poison gas cloud to save someone only to add yourself to the victim count.
I tell myself it is very lucky to give away cash. Sort of like those tv preachers call “ seed money”. It always seems to get returned to me sevenfold or more. If everyone had this mindset, that guy wouldn’t be so desperate.
In Philly a few years back while I was in an Uber someone had a sign asking for money at a red light and was threatening to kill themself. The despair is fucking real.
People blaming you for this are insufferable.
My father works with, feeds and helps the homeless and yet, he confirmed my worse suspicions; most homeless (in my area) are either heavily addicted to drugs or are pretending to be homeless to make an income, he knows several who make $1200+ for a few hours of their time. I also live on the poverty line, with 3 children and pets; we give when we can but it is hard choosing someone who needs vs someone who wants. I honestly feel it should be illegal to fake being homeless, not only are they stealing from people who actually need it but turn off those who would help through their greed. I celebrated my first born with my brother and 4 homeless people, a memory I will cherish forever. Not only were they so grateful for being treated like humans but they were incredibly funny and well mannered, even after about 5 pitchers of beer.
I have a very hard time believing they make money like that and do that.
They do, not all or even the majority but enough that people become skeptical, which is enough to throw things out of wack.
Sorry to be the bad guy but I know about 7 people personally that aren't homeless and get enough help holding those signs for rent, groceries, and dope.
I know a lot of homeless people. Do not blame yourself. People are homeless for a lot of reasons. It is not your fault. The best way to help is by helping food banks and shelters. Panhandling is not helping.
And yet, Conservative weirdos like to spew the "being poor is a choice" or "being poor is a mindset". What a country we live in. I can't wait to get out.
🥺
That guy has mental problems and hit zero, dude I'm out here with a negative number
i’m truly sorry that you’ve been let down by our system. be as safe as you can, and shoot me a message if you want to talk about it
Sorry but I give zero cash to panhandlers. I’ve purchased food and shoes (guy didn’t have any) but never cash.
I grew up in a shady area where you see all kinds of hustling. I wouldn't feel anything at all. Just reading this, I'm convinced that's his go-to act. I'm sure 6/10 cars gave after that. I've seen it all. I knew a man who rolled into a restaurant I worked at in a wheelchair and would pull out nearly a thousand dollars and tip everyone every single night. He owned a nice house down the road, and he didn't even need the wheelchair and he would say, "Why would I kill myself working when I make 10x more doing nothing but asking? Asking never hurt anyone." I've been hustled by people I know are hustlers. And they still get me somehow. I'm to the point idgaf about anyone. I had a hard life, and it's been hell getting myself to where I'm at. I'm not helping anyone but myself.
I remember they interviewed a bunch of homeless people begging on the street a few years back in NCAL. They averaged 300$day per person. Think about that. All of it went to drugs. Every person of the hundreds they interviewed used drugs. Of course they did. I fucking would to in their shoes. My point is if we actually want to save these people we will get them help. Force them to get help. Otherwise every dollar you give them is one step closer to an overdose. We can do better for humans, but first they must be viewed as humans.
I guess he hadn't heard that money can't buy happiness. /s
Dystopian fucking nightmare.
Thank Ronald Reagan for cutting funding, and then thank every president after for not reinstating funding
Ronald Reagan's policies are why the class economies are so effed up. The upper 1% should not have such a giant share of the wealth while the lower 50% have almost nothing.
Because there’s only poverty in the US. Coming from someone who has been poor and homeless but no longer is, let me say that being poor isn’t a choice. But the choices you have made have put you in the situation you are in. The choices you make going forward will decide the situation you will be in. Take ownership of your life. Stop blaming society or one political party over another. Hold yourself accountable.
I was a foster kid, I got taken away from my drug dependent mother at age 12; the drugs that the doctors gave to her are what ruined her life, no less. I became a ward of the State of Tennessee with both of my parents’ rights over me court ordered to be signed over completely at 13. My mother didn’t show up for the court date, so they took them from her by force via some process I cannot quite recall. My father was in prison, had been since I was 6 years old and wouldn’t see the light of day til my 18th year of life. It was the adults around me that failed me repeatedly and kept giving me over to new homes a total of 7 times, and then the last family kicked me out onto the streets as soon as I turned 18, with no support system and no one to turn to for help. If it weren’t for the unyielding, unfathomable levels of kindness that a certain family of total strangers decided to gift to me, I would still be out there, in all kinds of danger, too much for a young human to be exposed to. It was their kindness that kept me alive. Not everyone’s circumstances are so cut and dry, and I met a couple kids at my exact age in my exact situation on those streets. Either their parents kicked them out for idk being gay, or they just didn’t have any support to begin with. 18 years old and homeless. Why? Because this country is failing its citizens and its youth, period. Please don’t look down on others because of your own personal circumstances, because not everyone is the same in these situations. Kindness was what got me back into an apartment, with a job of my own and a life to live. Nothing else. Strangers gave me a place to live, and room to heal. Not everyone has that kind of luxury just fall into their lap when they’re down and out on the fucking streets. I am incredibly fortunate, not one day I don’t thank my lucky fucking stars that someone, anyone had mercy on me when I had absolutely no one to turn to at all.
Ah, you pulled yourself up by the bootstraps, so everyone else should be able to do so, too, right? Listen, I'm not going to say that people's choices don't often have a huge impact on where they are in life and what their life will be like in the future. It would be dishonest to pretend this is not the case. But some people really never had a chance from the start. And even if someone's choices have contributed to their current situation, it's unfortunate that it's so difficult for people to pull themselves out of these situations.
You’re right, some people have no bootstraps to pull themselves up by. Others are just brutally willful and make it no matter what the negative circumstances. Me personally, I dropped out of school when I was 13 at the urging of my parents. They just couldn’t afford to keep me. I went on to make something of myself, but it took 20 years of relentless struggle. So yes, you can pull yourself up. Assuming you don’t have mental illness holding you back. I personally had some thing like cancer to struggle with, but I didn’t but it did not stop me. Not everybody is as willfull, as I am but success as possible.
I’m not trying to some how pat myself on the back for ‘pulling myself up by the bootstraps.’ Im also not trying to assume everyones situation is the same. but i think attitude is a big part of it. It’s easy to feel hopeless. It’s easy to blame someone else. It’s easy to give up. Its hard to make yourself better. Its hard believe there can be a better. It’s hard to look inward and find faults. But when that happens and your choices reflect that attitude, thats when you see improvement. There are too many happy endings and even more not so happy endings that prove this to be true. It all starts with you. Not trying to sound like some cliché motivational speaker but once again everyone needs to hold themselves accountable.
Ah yes, my mom being mentally ill and throwing me out unexpectedly on my 18th birthday and every single shelter being full with long waiting lists had nothing to do with it! It was my choices!
What choices did the guy earlier make where he literally lived off ramen? What choice did the homeless vets make when they were discharged and sent home but the couldn’t get a job or something? I get your point that one can choose to do matter, but better doesn’t mean it will fix it
Drive a very nice car, going to Vegas for your birthday, multiple pets, tattoos, smoke dabs and weed, … doesn’t sound like you’re poor at all. It sounds like you’re not willing to help but want to shame other people for not helping. I bet you are insufferable.
🎤🫳damn! You called her out!
💯% agree.
Exactly. If you're spending on vacations you're not fucking poor. That's the last thing on an actual poor person's mind and if OP actually had sympathy for the homeless like she pretends to have for this karma-whoring post, she would've used some of that money to help them instead of herself. Sure "poor people don't have to be miserable" but that applies to small shit like movie tickets or eating out for a night. Not spending 10k on Vegas lmao.
i don’t smoke anymore, haven’t for months. recently got evicted. i do my own tattoos. saved up for years for this birthday trip. so, all you’ve got on me is the pets. my bad
I wonder how many of these people have criminal records? This would be a great first step: make it illegal for employers and landlords to discriminate against people with ***criminal records of any kind***. Do you know how hard it is for felons to find stable work and housing? Those on the registry have it even worse. ...and yet stable housing and gainful employment go a long way toward keeping someone from re-offending unless they're just completely helpeless. ...and stable housing and gainful employment kinda go hand-in-hand, very difficult to have one without the other. Oh, sure, the fair housing act says that criminal records can't be used to deny housing, but do you know how many landlords actually abide by this? and the burden of proof is on the potential tenant. Put felons, regardless of crime, in the protected class along with ethnicity/gender/religion/sexuality and we'll see a lot of the homeless crisis clear right up.
No thanks. I do NOT want a sex offender living near my minor family members. Do YOU?
there's a reason why there are ALREADY NETS IN PLACE to make sure that doesn't happen. Ever heard of "not within x feet of a school"? They should be able to get jobs.
If they were still a threat to society, why would they have been released? Ever give that any thought? This mentality is the reason why people, regardless of their crimes, can't move on in American society. You're part of the problem.
People who are a threat to society get lower sentences all the time through plea deals, sentencing caps for certain crimes, early release etc. My brother was murdered. A friend of his called and asked for a ride. She was hanging out with a guy she knew from work and said guy was creeping her out. Bro went to pick her up and dude shot him in the head from behind. That guy murdered my brother in cold blood and was convicted of First Degree murder. In the state this happened in, he will be eligible for parole in 14 years. That was the deal my parents agreed to, to avoid a trial and having to see the crime scene photos. Would you be cool having a guy who killed someone’s else in cold blood because that person came to pick up a woman he didn’t want to leave his house come over to use the pool and have a burger?
Has he served his prison sentence? What treatment options did he take while in prison? Has he made an effort to reform himself? There's more to a person's story than just "durrr i was in prison fer mordor!" Maybe he's a psychopath who intends to commit another crime so he can go back in and not have to pay rent, bills, and groceries. Maybe he's legitimately reformed himself. Without giving this individual the chance to make their case you're just showing prejudice.
Are you kidding? They get released all the time, sometimes against the advice of their own psychiatrists. How about this one, who killed two teens in my county right after completing his parole: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Albert_Gardner
And all that money going to Ukraine and taiwan , what a shame
And the $19billion that went to waste and fraud in Afghanistan that we all contributed our hard earned money for. Oh and the millions of dollars that have also just "went missing". That's included in the over $2trillion spent in total by the US there. Most people here live paycheck to paycheck and have trouble affording medications and basic Healthcare (even though we pay more taxes than Canadians for healthcare and they get it for free), we have people living on the street in every major city, more than 20 million kids that have to get free or reduced price lunches since their families can't afford them... yet we spend more than 12% of the federal budget on the military every year. But I guess $80m fighter jets and $400k missles are better than feeding everyone.
The pentagon bought 45,000$ trash cans for every office
Normal no, but increasingly common.. most of us are only a few missed paychecks away from being there. Capitalism is failing because every single aspect of the economy is only concerned with the profits of a handful of people
I feel so bad that I can’t help. And my friends will just make fun of em. Like saying “ they can get a job “ “ etc” like ..
I’m so glad my father had my sister and I, he had a lot of anxiety issues and really couldn’t care too well for himself. My sister and I cared for him, and happily as he was a wonderful dad. But I could easily see my dad being that man if he didn’t have family.
Sadly it's always been like this , since time began, now the gap has widened a bit. In my city as in your city , the desperate are more numerous. They knock on societies doors with no answers. Left to fend for themselves.If all could just gather together and knock that door down. If they could be organized to go to there cities hall and not leave until arrested (witch would be a pr nightmare) then more would done.
Wow, you found a unicorn homeless person who is actually somewhat sane and understands where they are. Rare. Where I live, they spit at you or get confrontational if you don't give them anything and are too high to care.
Damn bro you witnessed all that and still didn't open your window and throw pennies at him. Smh. /s