Let's talk about the homelessness in Austin

[Wiliamr]

I made my pitch to several of the City of Austin council members about how to deal with the "homeless" Cap Metro buses pull up and the homeless are herded onto those buses and taken to locations around the city and put to work doing cleanup, trash removal, etc. Meals during the day and medical checkup for them on the first day. Make it mandatory that they get CoVid shot, flu shot, shingles shots and drug tested.

I figure after about a week, the only "homeless" left will be the truly mentally ill.

 

[etmo]

A lot are mentally ill. And there is no money to treat them

Very true. For those of us who are old enough, we remember that the mentally ill used to be kept in institutions. State-run mental institutions had bad reputations, just like state-run prisons, because governments are often bad at doing anything.

But I disagree with rotor above -- it wasn't just the Hollywood folks who were complaining, it was us -- the Republicans. We were whining because any lazy a$$ could just say they were having hallucinations or whatever BS and get a free life in a mental institution -- room, board, drugs. It cost a lot of money, and we didn't like that. So the Republicans got enough political will together, and it was President Ronald Reagan who did the deed. All those mentally ill flooded the streets ever since, except now the liberals don't enforce any vagrancy laws, so the homeless are much more in your face.

My brother studied homelessness in Denver for some years, and worked with the city to get them the facts about what was going on. Denver was spending a ton of money on homeless, because the homeless would get seriously ill when winter storms came in, end up in the ER, costing the city tons of money, just so they could go back on the street and get sick again.

The politicians in Denver had a stupid idea -- they would use taxpayer money to buy an entire apartment building, and staff it with nurses 24/7. They would give the apartments for free to the homeless, and since the homeless would have homes and a bit of health care, they would no longer need expensive visits to the ER, and the city would actually save money, and give the homeless a place to springboard from.

So they moved in a bunch of homeless, and guess what? A bunch of them just up and left, moving back onto the streets. They got sick when the storms hit, and ended up in the ER.

The studies showed that 90% of the homeless are like the OP -- they are temporarily homeless due to a move, a job loss, a divorce, or etc. They are working, and they soon get back on their feet. However, 10% of the homeless are the so-called "chronically homeless". They are very often mentally ill, and these 10% of the homeless use up 80-90% of the budget for all homeless people. There's nothing that can help them, as the city of Denver showed. You can give them a place to live and they generally won't stay there more than a day or two. The only large-scale options are to either ignore them or re-open mental institutions as we saw back in the day, but the Republicans whine about the cost and the liberals whine about...well they whine about everything, don't they?

 

[kyletxria1911a1]

I left kc with 500.00 got here with 300.
My brother and I slept in the same bed for 8mos he moved to Houston. I got stuck out. But not once did I ever think I would fail. Never crossed my mind. I at least had a skill.
But it was back then cooks pay wasn't much.
I don't know if the old Austin heads remember the day labor on 7th. I did that on my days off.

Lol they paid people with a voucher you could only cash at twin liquor. they had a hustle goin.
Then they charge a%of the voucher...

 

[Axxe55]

I think there are different categories of homeless people. Each group needs to be addressed in different ways as well. IMO there isn't a one size fits all answer to this problem.

 

[kyletxria1911a1]

I think there are different categories of homeless people. Each group needs to be addressed in different ways as well. IMO there isn't a one size fits all answer to this problem.

No three isn't but weed out the lazy from those who truly need help. I'm not talking about something I read I lived it. I knew more than a few junkies mentally ill they need help. The lazy and so called free spirits kma get a job

 

[Wiliamr]

Sterling my friend... you are the example that proves hard work and determination bring rewards.

 

[jrbfishn]

Been homeless a couple times myself. Tent at the lake, bathing in a creek or the lake. Not fun when the temp is in the low 50°s and the water temp is about 65°.
If you really want to, working your way out is doable. But it takes work. And want to.

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[Dawico]

Sure seems like most of the homeless I see have really clean clothes on. Seems odd for a person with no home.

Nope, not giving you money.

There are plenty of ways to help yourself out of that situation that don't include begging on a street corner.

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[cycleguy2300]

A lot are mentally ill. And there is no money to treat them

Actually there is money for treatment the vast majority simply refuse to get formal treatment and instead get addicted to the street drugs they use to self-medicate.

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[2ManyGuns]

Sure seems like most of the homeless I see have really clean clothes on. Seems odd for a person with no home.

Nope, not giving you money.

There are plenty of ways to help yourself out of that situation that don't include begging on a street corner.

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Look at the shoes, when you see them wearing a $300 pair that is obviously not a thrift store special you'll have a lead to ignore the panhandlers.

If you are feeling generous do not give them money, keep some of the easy-open beanee weenee's, Vienna sausages, fruit, etc., and bottled water. If they refuse food and water, tell them to **** off.

For those looking to really get off of streets the "tiny homes" could be a good idea, but the homes should not be freebies, ask some of the trades to come in and provide training to the homeless, plumbing, electrical, AC/Heating. They will now have a skill, and since the trades are very short on skilled labor, they will have a pool to draw from, the former homeless will have skin in the game and job opportunities. Just a thought.

 

[cycleguy2300]

She was most likely working the streets for a pimp to take her panhandling dough. And drive off in a new car.

Most "working girls" use the internet to set up their dates these days.

She was most likely a drug user who got kicked out of, or lost her home/apt because of her drug use. Opioids and meth are the typical culprits, and where likely originally used to mask trauma or MH.

Every last homeless person had a home. The homelessness is a symptom of their choices. Some directly, some indirectly. Giving a home to them won't solve their problems, it will just treat one symptom. Their choices and actions got them homeless, and only their choices and actions will get them back into a home.

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[Younggun]

From the people I’ve heard speak that worked with the homeless it seems a very high number of them don’t want help, don’t want a home, and have no intention of not being homeless. They are happy crapping in the street with 0 responsibility.

I’m sure there are differences between LA where it’s great weather 98% of the time and some frozen winter shithole like Chicago.


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[Younggun]

I tend to not hand out money. But there was a guy in Waco who could always be found juggling on a street corner. Don’t know if he was actually homeless or not, but he was doing his best to provide something vs just sitting and begging so I’d give him some cash and a Gatorade or water. He wasn’t bad either, made the stop light waits go by much faster.

Haven’t seen him in months, hopefully he’s back on his feet.


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[Younggun]

I tend to not hand out money. But there was a guy in Waco who could always be found juggling on a street corner. Don’t know if he was actually homeless or not, but he was doing his best to provide something vs just sitting and begging so I’d give him some cash and a Gatorade or water. He wasn’t bad either, made the stop light waits go by much faster.

Haven’t seen him in months, hopefully he’s back on his feet.


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[Armybrat]

Very true. For those of us who are old enough, we remember that the mentally ill used to be kept in institutions. State-run mental institutions had bad reputations, just like state-run prisons, because governments are often bad at doing anything.

But I disagree with rotor above -- it wasn't just the Hollywood folks who were complaining, it was us -- the Republicans. We were whining because any lazy a$$ could just say they were having hallucinations or whatever BS and get a free life in a mental institution -- room, board, drugs. It cost a lot of money, and we didn't like that. So the Republicans got enough political will together, and it was President Ronald Reagan who did the deed. All those mentally ill flooded the streets ever since, except now the liberals don't enforce any vagrancy laws, so the homeless are much more in your face.

My brother studied homelessness in Denver for some years, and worked with the city to get them the facts about what was going on. Denver was spending a ton of money on homeless, because the homeless would get seriously ill when winter storms came in, end up in the ER, costing the city tons of money, just so they could go back on the street and get sick again.

The politicians in Denver had a stupid idea -- they would use taxpayer money to buy an entire apartment building, and staff it with nurses 24/7. They would give the apartments for free to the homeless, and since the homeless would have homes and a bit of health care, they would no longer need expensive visits to the ER, and the city would actually save money, and give the homeless a place to springboard from.

So they moved in a bunch of homeless, and guess what? A bunch of them just up and left, moving back onto the streets. They got sick when the storms hit, and ended up in the ER.

The studies showed that 90% of the homeless are like the OP -- they are temporarily homeless due to a move, a job loss, a divorce, or etc. They are working, and they soon get back on their feet. However, 10% of the homeless are the so-called "chronically homeless". They are very often mentally ill, and these 10% of the homeless use up 80-90% of the budget for all homeless people. There's nothing that can help them, as the city of Denver showed. You can give them a place to live and they generally won't stay there more than a day or two. The only large-scale options are to either ignore them or re-open mental institutions as we saw back in the day, but the Republicans whine about the cost and the liberals whine about...well they whine about everything, don't they?

Actually, in the early 1960s it was the California psychiatrists association that persuaded the state’s politicians to empty out their mental institutions - based on the doctors’ claims they could control/cure the mentally ill with their new “wonder drugs”.
Governor Reagan & the legislature were only too happy to follow the mental health community’s recommendation.
They did so, and California set the example for the rest of the states to follow into the 1970s.

 

[Younggun]

I think there’s a little more to mental health institutions and their closings than just wonder drugs and politics. I mean, something like 20k lobotomies, people held for all kinds of stupid reasons to keep the money coming, and tons of pretty fucked treatments being administered.

A total shut down may have been the wrong answer, but it’s also not the right answer when even today people are hesitant to get the help they need, and back then that help may have been much much worse


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[rotor]

Actually, in the early 1960s it was the California psychiatrists association that persuaded the state’s politicians to empty out their mental institutions - based on the doctors’ claims they could control/cure the mentally ill with their new “wonder drugs”.
Governor Reagan & the legislature were only too happy to follow the mental health community’s recommendation.
They did so, and California set the example for the rest of the states to follow into the 1970s.

You are correct and the magic drug was……Thorazine.

 

[Armybrat]

I think there’s a little more to mental health institutions and their closings than just wonder drugs and politics. I mean, something like 20k lobotomies, people held for all kinds of stupid reasons to keep the money coming, and tons of pretty fucked treatments being administered.

A total shut down may have been the wrong answer, but it’s also not the right answer when even today people are hesitant to get the help they need, and back then that help may have been much much worse


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That part is very true too.
As a college student, my brother worked two years as a night attendant at the Texas State Hospital (Austin) 62 years ago. He spent one year on the criminal ward.
He said he wouldn’t wish that on anyone, patient or employee. He had some chilling stories about his time there.

 

[msharley]

Ya know how to close that GAP?
GO TO WORK

Hey K Man,

I can sum up my Dad in two sentences.

"Get a job. Go to work!" (if he was pissed? GET YER LAZY AZZ TO WERK!!) LOL

Also? There was the "BIG FAT CAN of DO WITHOUT!" LOL

My kids?

Same thing. Get a job Go to Work.

All four sons? Gainfully employed.

Later, Mark

 

[baboon]

and some frozen winter shithole like Chicago.


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Pretty common for the authorities to find a few bums frozen to death up yonder!