Please Read: The Problems with the Problem of Homelessness
The way we talk about homelessness has always bothered me. I don’t think we have a definition of the problem that helps develop good policy. You can’t solve a problem that can’t be defined and measured. And the causes? The causes of homelessness are often the jumping off point for a policies that extract money from the economy for non-profits. Overall, homelessness is being used to squeeze cash and power out of the system for groups with political agendas. Are there people who really want to solve the problem, however they see it? Of course. But many of those people think they’re group or approach is the solution, and therefore the best candidate for more cash from taxes, fees, fines, and other extractions. I finally decided to write about this at Forbes in a three part series. If you’re going to read one thing (or three things) this week, please read this series. We need to push back on the narrative we’re getting sold and we’re buying in the press.
