I live in New York City and see a large number of people living on the street. I am embarrassed as an American that we have not found some viable solutions to help these fellow citizens. I believe 40% or the homeless have untreated mental problems another 30% are hooked on drugs and 30% have lost a job and are down on their luck. Without an address or phone it then becomes impossible to get a job to get a place to live and return to the general population of citizens.
Solutions: Separate the mentally ill, from the drug addicts, from those who have fallen on hard times
- Get the mentality ill treatment and
- Get addicts the therapy they need.
- The sane non-addicted homeless should respond well to shelter an address and some kind of work offer.
The reason the homeless prefer the street is that they do not feel safe for themselves or their possessions in the shelters which are like gymnasiums were their possessions can be taken while they sleep and they can avoid being abused by other homeless people when awake.
In NYC – for those not Crazy or Addicted – I would suggest creating stainless steel rooms in all the armories so a homeless person could have a safe and warm place to sleep and clean themselves – but must vacate each day to clean and sanitize each day. Each day the homeless must earn their room by collecting recyclable trash – or cleaning a specific street or any function that would help make the city a better place. If they show promise give them a mailing address and an inexpensive phone in order to re-enter productive society. ?
Your Ideas: If you have suggestions please send them to Ken@AmericanPoliticalParty.US