Some of these entries really caught me off guard. New Zealand has some of the worst homelessness in the world, despite supposedly being quite generous.
The US, Canada, the UK, France, and Germany are all predictably awful.
Japan, Korea, and the old Soviet Block states all seem to have their shit together (at least on paper, Ukraine is obviously a mess right now).
Israel is supposedly very high up the list, but Palestine isn't included, so... shrug
Wouldn't be surprised if Palestinians bring the their homeless numbers down. Helping people in need is a very cultural thing over here. See Jordan right next to Palestine.
Yeah, the stats regarding population size is one general aspect of a very large and complex issue. For example at least one of the countries reporting no homelessness is still reported to practice indentured-servitude as a form of modern-day slavery -which would take the place of most vulnerable
Looking at this idiocy from a purely practical perspective, surely housing the homeless by sending them to prison is not the most economical solution. I suppose it probably means someone's brother-in-law gets to build more for-profit prisons though.
Might also note that prisons in capitalist states treat the act of housing a prisoner as economic productivity, while activities performed by the houseless are treated as valueless.
When all you care about is economic growth, a very expensive cage is preferable to low rent housing or ignoring the problem. Better for the stock market. Better for the careers of prison guards, wardens, and prosecutors. Better for politicians who get to brag about "clean streets"
Attempting to fine homeless people for not having a place to live was already laughably ignorant, but now you’re extending it to everyone and everything? DON’T YOU DARE FUCKING DOZE OFF AT THE BUS STOP OR ELSE.
(edit: I had trouble finding actual information in the articles, so I’m basing this reply solely off the title.)
Individuals who are homeless are prohibited from camping on city streets, sidewalks, and parks—and are instead placed in temporary shelters monitored by law enforcement agencies.
The state of Florida has the enforcement tools needed to ensure local governments comply.
Homeless shelters will require occupants to not use drugs.
These shelters will also include substance abuse and mental health treatments.
So the legislation is targeted at the homeless, but to make it fair, the general wording is for anyone.
This issue actually has come up in arguments from other counties. Can an astronomer take a nap while waiting for dusk at their observation site? Can someone doze while sunbathing on the beach? These laws are typically created to specifically be enforced on people who are obviously unhomed (e.g. less kempt, has all their stuff nearby.) So yes, it's a way to deal with regional homelessness by NIMBYing it away to other places.
But it also takes the onus off the county for assuring there is housing for the 80%-ish of us who hover just above scarcity income, including those of us who need to work three jobs to eek out a living. This clears the way for a district to invest in gentrification so that it's a fancy place for affluent people (because most counties want to be that, and not place where poor communities are left). This is government failure at the county level.
The real big brain move is to simply make homeless people into CEOs.
Then they can be just as productive as they are on the street, earn 100x the national wage rate, boost the economy with spending, engage in whatever conduct they please while being lauded for iconoclasm rather than criminalized for violating a social taboo, and they'll have all their needs met by a legion of lobbyists and legislators desperate to court their favor.
Fair criticism, but the bill will also make camping illegal as well as put a tremendous logistical burden on local municipalities all while offering zero funding.
Under HB 1365:
Individuals who are homeless are prohibited from camping on city streets, sidewalks, and parks—and are instead placed in temporary shelters monitored by law enforcement agencies.
The state of Florida has the enforcement tools needed to ensure local governments comply.
Homeless shelters will require occupants to not use drugs.
These shelters will also include substance abuse and mental health treatments.
NIMBYism is the primary factor that obstructs the erection of low-income housing across California which is why our rate of homeless is considerably higher than the rest of the nation.
We actually have to practice and choose to recognize other Americans (or even non Americans) as fellow community members worthy of regard, otherwise it's easy to just acknowledge your own parish and to Hell with the rest of the species. But then we don't really have a valid society when we disregard the least of us.
Curiously, in Christianity, this was the real crime of Sodom and Gomorrah, failing to acommodate the destitute and the stranger and feed the hungry. The outrage about the Lot's guests (and the desire to assault them) was only a symptom of the general sentiment in Sodom, a distrust of strangers even though they were flush with wealth and could be hospitable.
Not that I think firebombing them like the RAF Bomber Command over Hamburg was an appropriate solution.
I work a job starting at 5pm, usually it runs until midnight, but can run until 5am. I usually don't get home until 90 minutes after my shift ends. So on average I go to bed around 6am.
My sister, KNOWING this, calls me lazy for not waking up at 8am everyday.
I just can't wrap my head around how or why people support these anti-human actions. Like, why spend $1M on helping the homeless or providing housing when we can spend it on prosecuting them instead?
