Is homelessness a visible problem where you are?

[Kadee]

Beyond the homeless issue, it seems every few weeks there are multiple people at intersections holding up signs asking for donations to a loved one's funeral. If it is real, I'm sad for them, but I don't give them money.

Wonder how many beggars are missing out on a few $$$ due to so many people in general using credit cards now days …..I suppose
we may see beggars in the future with portable ATM machines

Haven't seen that as yet in Australia @seadoug ….give them time I’m sure it will happen

 

[MACKTEXAS]

When the government appropriates more money to house the homeless, there will be more homeless.

 

[That Lady in PA]

Every country has the resources to eliminate the homeless problem.
The issue is they do not find homeless people worthy of using up those resources.
How much money is spent on non essential items?
Case in point; Perth (Australia) Spent $280 million on two unnecessary pedestrian bridges.

Yes, but you need to realize that not all homeless people want to have a home.
My husband works with the unhoused. There are places for them to go and they adamantly refuse to go. Even in bad weather, even for a hot shower. You cannot make people use available resources, sadly enough.

 

[That Lady in PA]

Wonder how many beggars are missing out on a few $$$ due to so many people in general using credit cards now days …..I suppose
we may see beggars in the future with portable ATM machines

No ATM necessary.
they put their venmo information or other identifier on their signs so that you can transfer money directly to them

 

[Timewise 60+]

When I lived in Denver, Colorado I spent volunteer time working with United Way. During earlier days, I had time to work with a few people who were homeless. Organizations were set up to help deal with these problems. Some of the people that were homeless worked with these organization and were able to find good options. Unfortunately, many of those that had alcohol or other drug addictions either did not try to get help from these organizations or tried but were unable to stay sober and lost out on any further help.

What I learned is that these problems are very complex. To resolve, each individual with a drug and/or alcohol problem had to be dealt with one on one (generally there is not enough people willing or able to work one on one). Each individual seemed to have their own unique background relating to how they got started and why they have not found help to resolve the life-threatening condition. There were a percentage of them that tried to get help, but many failed in the long run to stay sober. As you can imagine, these stories are varied, but most all are very sad stories for the individuals and families involved.

 

[Jeni]

It is a host of issues ... drugs and alcohol being a big part. Many can be mental issues as well.
Some panhandlers are quite successful and are in fact NOT homeless in my area found several who dressed the part and they felt easy money no set work schedule etc. last one they caught in my city worked a job but this was her side gig... guess after she made news she lost her real job.

What makes me crazy is the props often a dog or the elderly and sadly kids, the younger the better.
I walk at lunch when certain elements are not present in the area can see the tactics and the frequent fliers working the grocery store / fast food parking lot.
this is the list. (also from compared notes with co-workers).
The crew:
#1 2 men who lived in car in dead end road often passed out from drugs so all business in the building i work had restroom locked for business or client use only. they often tried to get someone to let them in restrooms..... but often changed clothes down to buck naked in middle of street 50 yards from a daycare.
#2 2 women of i am not sure what nationality. Broken English only but they will spit on cars that do not donate to them. Chased off by the others working exit because the spitting and attitudes that seemed more aggressive and turned most donors off.

#3 A family worked the store near my work but dad was not smart enough not to wear new stylish clothes and shoes also had a beach chair so not even effort to panhandle. so donations only worked if mom was out with stroller and toddlers in rain or cold. Dad sat in car about 50 yards away. Sporadic when they needed cash i am guessing

#4 Another young man placed his grandpa in a walker at corner while he sat in viewing distance in a car. worked the exit 3 days a week.

Look closely and one will lose the sympathy.

 

[Kadee]

When the government appropriates more money to house the homeless, there will be more homeless.

One of the biggest issues in Australia is with indigenous population , the federal government give them millions
of $$ a year but the problem is never solved ..it just gets worse with some of the issues being money just being squandered away on unrelated expenses.
And the majority of homeless living in the parklands that surround the city of Adelaide are indigenous people
(Australian Aboriginal )

@MACKTEXAS

 

[Kadee]

It is a host of issues ... drugs and alcohol being a big part. Many can be mental issues as well.
Some panhandlers are quite successful and are in fact NOT homeless in my area found several who dressed the part and they felt easy money no set work schedule etc. last one they caught in my city worked a job but this was her side gig... guess after she made news she lost her real job.

What makes me crazy is the props often a dog or the elderly and sadly kids, the younger the better.
I walk at lunch when certain elements are not present in the area can see the tactics and the frequent fliers working the grocery store / fast food parking lot.
this is the list. (also from compared notes with co-workers).
The crew:
#1 2 men who lived in car in dead end road often passed out from drugs so all business in the building i work had restroom locked for business or client use only. they often tried to get someone to let them in restrooms..... but often changed clothes down to buck naked in middle of street 50 yards from a daycare.
#2 2 women of i am not sure what nationality. Broken English only but they will spit on cars that do not donate to them. Chased off by the others working exit because the spitting and attitudes that seemed more aggressive and turned most donors off.

#3 A family worked the store near my work but dad was not smart enough not to wear new stylish clothes and shoes also had a beach chair so not even effort to panhandle. so donations only worked if mom was out with stroller and toddlers in rain or cold. Dad sat in car about 50 yards away. Sporadic when they needed cash i am guessing

#4 Another young man placed his grandpa in a walker at corner while he sat in viewing distance in a car. worked the exit 3 days a week.

Look closely and one will lose the sympathy.

I recently seen a beggar sitting at the bottom of an escalator with the usual cardboard sign .…he had about an
3 year old girl sitting on his lap, he had a beenie / cap on ~ no hair showing / shaved ~ but had filthy cloths on …so he’s no doubt conning people into believing he’s homeless with a young child to support
( we seen him several times )

I’m Australian …and there was an segment on a Current affairs 7 pm show recently about beggars in Rundle Mall
which is in the heart of the capital city of Adelaide ( South Australia):, some bragged they were making $300+ a day …..well that started the welfare system ( Centerlink ) doing some investigating using facial recognition cameras that are in Rundle mall ….because you are required to report any income fortnightly or risk loosing your benefits
And let’s face it they are not “ working“ as such ….so likely claiming Centerlink.

Just an add on if ..you have a drivers licence in Australia ..Centerlink ( welfare system ) have your details including your drivers licence photo …..Centerlink was once called Social security ….now it’s Medicare / welfare / tax office linked / child support / …it’s appropriately named cause it’s linked to our whole life …they know all about us

Im a meany ..I simply don’t give beggars …. anything …years ago I’d offer to buy food ..but they want $$$ not Food
@Jeni

 

[Jeni]

Im a meany ..I simply don’t give beggars …. anything …years ago I’d offer to buy food ..but they want $$$ not Food
@Jeni

I do NOT give them anything........I just see it every day as it is one street over from my job....i walk on lunch for a break from office and see them over and over. Staff in office joke about who is on the corner today?

I totally think using facial recognition if inside a mall may be successful in identifying them if they are receiving any public assistance. Too many here to narrow down although fakers have been caught when someone saw them shed the costumes and get into car etc and have identified them that way.

 

[Kadee]

I do NOT give them anything........I just see it every day as it is one street over from my job....i walk on lunch for a break from office and see them over and over. Staff in office joke about who is on the corner today?

I totally think using facial recognition if inside a mall may be successful in identifying them if they are receiving any public assistance. Too many here to narrow down although fakers have been caught when someone saw them shed the costumes and get into car etc and have identified them that way.

Rundle mall is actually a an 1/2 km long open mall …no roof on actual street …it was a street but turned into a paved mall about 30 years ago ….it has signs it has facial recognition cameras that were installed to try to cut down on shoplifting.
The only time I go to RM is if I want to go to the Apple shop as it’s the only one in South Australia
Many of the buildings have been there since the 1800’ s

@Jeni

 

[OneEyedDiva]

Not that I've noticed recently. There used to be a small gathering of those I assume were homeless under the train trestle. When I've passed through there lately, I haven't see them. Gates were put up, but there still seems to be a way to get under there.