(09-25-2023, 11:40 AM)The Drifter Wrote:

(09-25-2023, 11:30 AM)HURRICANE!!! Wrote: Let me qualify my question below by stating I thought of the same scenario as you provided above (shelters outside of the city) but it does come with some issues as people could take advantage of the system.  With that being said .....

Question:  What is the living arrangements in your homeless shelter concept?   I mean, can anyone simply declare themselves homeless and get free room and board in your shelters away from the city?   I mean, why work if someone is going to give you free rent and food throughout ones lifetime.   I foresee a really nice hostel in your scenario, which a lot of college grads simply declaring themselves homeless.  Any chance you can provide free transportation as well?

There is one Shelter in my town. The rule stated is that you're allowed 90 days only. However, if you're working and can prove that you're saving for a place, they'll let you extend the time. Now, I did a little bit of snooping around and found out that a few of the people there, that don't work or on any kind of assistance like SSDI, have been there for 3 years or more. They'll eat breakfast/lunch at the mission 2 blocks away and dinner at the community center then use the shelter for a crash pad. That to me, is abusing the system and keeping people who may only be in the situation for temporary, from getting a bed and getting out of the situation sooner. There will always be people like that, I have no idea what the solution might be other than throw them out on their [BLEEP] after the time limit is reached......

This is quite insightful and definitely aligns with the fact that most really good humanitarian efforts are made complicated by people taking advantage of the system.  As such, they get shut down or never get off the ground.   Your example above probably only accounts for the homeless population that have real adversities in life.  Just imagine if we build compounds to house thousands of people outside of various cities ..... we'd probably have people claiming to be homeless to live rent free in those places, especially if food is included.

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