by MarkJ » Sun 15 Mar 2009, 12:09:11
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('ReverseEngineer', 'Y')ou do a terrific job of outlinimg all the problems that come with an increasing Homeless population. What you do not do is come up with any reasonable solutions to those problems. Just where would you house all these folks now anyhow?
The best solution for many of the displaced middle class families is to move in with friends or family, rent homes/apartments/camps/mobile homes in regions with a reasonable cost of living, split costs with room-mates etc.
If they're unemployed with very limited cash, credit, assets, income(s) and/or can't move in with family, friends or co-workers, the best temporary solution in some regions is putting the displaced middle class families in the better mid range motels. These motels have decent rooms, limited room service, furnishings, cable, internet access, local phone service, plenty of parking and access to shopping, banking, public transit and employment.
We have a glut of unrented apartments and homes in some regions, but a shortage of qualified tenants with sufficient incomes, credit, references, work history, first/last/security. There's a multi-year waiting list to get into the subsidized housing projects and better quality reasonably priced apartment complexes. The subsidized housing often goes to the most needy such as single mothers with the most kids.
To get landlords/investors to rent to income/credit/employment challenged tenants, they'd have to modify/waive existing landlord tenant law, remove landlord liability, cover/insure security deposits/ property damages, substantially raise public assistance grants and perhaps provide other incentives to offset the large risk they're taking.
Unfortunately there's no long term solution to house many low income people since their roadblock to employment & income is based on their their lack of education, skills, experience, mental/physical discipline, mental/physical health, spending/savings/investment discipline, work ethic, ability to learn, reliable transportation, ability to pass pre-employment screening (psych/drug/background check), driver's license, driving record, physical appearance etc.