[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by Steve-C

They can always hop a bus up to NYC or Chicago and claim to be "newcomers"..and they will have the world at their feet...

Another well-educated Floridian speaks out. Congrats on another well thought out solution.

[Sunshine Rules]

Originally Posted by beach43ofus

First off, there's no good solution everyone will like...there's only the least offensive alternatives.

My wife recently traveled to Vienna, Prague, & Budapest and saw very few homeless people...close to none. We need to send our HHS guru's over there, to see how they're handling it...& other places too...share best practices.

We also need to understand that most of them are ill...addicition, mental health, or both. Some are a danger to themselves, and/or others.

Here's what I would think would happen if FLA built homeless lodging.

There'd be rules to stay in them...no drugs, no booze, no pets, talk to a counselor, at the least.

Most homeless won't comply w/ the rules, so won't use them, & the money's wasted.

Those who will comply, will sleep there, then leave to wander public places begging for $ for drugs/booze to consume in public places. Then, return to the homeless lodging to sleep it off..if they make it that far.

I like no sleeping in public laws. I like keeping them away from public places totally...no sleeping, no begging to feed & perpetuate their illnesses.

Sarasota offers 7 options for shelter for the homeless. Yet they are rarely filled to capacity. The catch? Every one of them have rules about not bringing in alcohol and drugs.

The annual count of homeless in our area is done each year at the end of January, so updated numbers should be coming out soon.

Their 2023 count found approximately 1500 homeless in the Sarasota area. Most of the homeless people surveyed are white men, per the data. In 2023, 205 participants reported substance abuse, 231 reported some level of mental-health issues and 166 identified themselves as disabled veterans. In 2016, in comparison, 422 reported substance abuse, 168 reported mental health issues and 389 said they were disabled veterans.


Here's a different perspective on the homeless problem:

“Since enacting our new ordinance against public camping this past October, we have seen more homeless individuals using available beds in shelters and therefore receiving the services they need,” said Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner.”

[remirosie123]

Originally Posted by beach43ofus

First off, there's no good solution everyone will like...there's only the least offensive alternatives.

My wife recently traveled to Vienna, Prague, & Budapest and saw very few homeless people...close to none. We need to send our HHS guru's over there, to see how they're handling it...& other places too...share best practices.

We also need to understand that most of them are ill...addicition, mental health, or both. Some are a danger to themselves, and/or others.

Here's what I would think would happen if FLA built homeless lodging.

There'd be rules to stay in them...no drugs, no booze, no pets, talk to a counselor, at the least.

Most homeless won't comply w/ the rules, so won't use them, & the money's wasted.

Those who will comply, will sleep there, then leave to wander public places begging for $ for drugs/booze to consume in public places. Then, return to the homeless lodging to sleep it off..if they make it that far.

I like no sleeping in public laws. I like keeping them away from public places totally...no sleeping, no begging to feed & perpetuate their illnesses.

While I do feel bad for the real legitimate homeless people, your post is on point! I agree with all of it!

[sinatras]

Originally Posted by beach43ofus

My wife recently traveled to Vienna, Prague, & Budapest and saw very few homeless people...close to none. We need to send our HHS guru's over there, to see how they're handling it...& other places too...share best practices.

Careful. You wouldn't wanna suggest that Europe is doing better than America.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by Sunshine Rules

Sarasota offers 7 options for shelter for the homeless. Yet they are rarely filled to capacity. The catch? Every one of them have rules about not bringing in alcohol and drugs.

The annual count of homeless in our area is done each year at the end of January, so updated numbers should be coming out soon.

Their 2023 count found approximately 1500 homeless in the Sarasota area. Most of the homeless people surveyed are white men, per the data. In 2023, 205 participants reported substance abuse, 231 reported some level of mental-health issues and 166 identified themselves as disabled veterans. In 2016, in comparison, 422 reported substance abuse, 168 reported mental health issues and 389 said they were disabled veterans.


Here's a different perspective on the homeless problem:

“Since enacting our new ordinance against public camping this past October, we have seen more homeless individuals using available beds in shelters and therefore receiving the services they need,” said Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner.”

So inconveniently the narrative is changing for those expressing an overall lack of empathy. A bit less than 15% reported substance abuse issues and about 18% reported mental health issues which means the vast majority are resulting from economic conditions (meaning loss of employment, disability or other unchosen contributing factor).

That's great that Miami Beach has utilized funding to house the homeless and/or has the non-profit presence to accommodate. If all cities in FL would follow that lead it wouldn't be an issue.

[Ghaati]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

Wow, completely clueless.

Social Security Disability (SSI) pretty much requires legal representation and a lot of time, plus has all kinds of limitations that include work credits or employment five years out of the past ten. The amount is also capped at around $900 a month last I checked. Where exactly would that be a feasible amount to live on as an independent adult?

SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) has strict limitations also. In 2024, for example, you earn 1 credit for each $1,730 in wages or self-employment income. When you've earned $6,920 you've earned your 4 credits for the year. The number of work credits you need to qualify for disability benefits depends on your age when your disability begins. Generally, you need 40 credits, 20 of which were earned in the last 10 years ending with the year your disability begins. Typically the vast majority of homeless (or disabled in general) are not qualified for this program that caps at $3600 per month.

Retirement Social Security is available at age 62 and is either/or with SSI (cannot collect both).

Welfare benefits pay a maximum of $3600 per year in FL ($300 per month) and that amount has not changed since 1997.

EBT (Food Stamps) pays a maximum of $250 per month for an individual, or $8 a day. Worth mentioning it does not cover hot prepared foods, which if homeless is sort of key.

Do the math and please suggest how the vast majority of homeless can get by on the numbers provided.

These services also require that the person has access to transportation. You can't sign up for disability over the phone. You can't even GET a phone, if you're homeless, without talking to someone in person first. If the office isn't in walking distance and there's no public transportation to get to one, how exactly will someone get that in-person meeting? And without an income, how do people suppose a homeless person is going to pay for an Uber?

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by Ghaati

These services also require that the person has access to transportation. You can't sign up for disability over the phone. You can't even GET a phone, if you're homeless, without talking to someone in person first. If the office isn't in walking distance and there's no public transportation to get to one, how exactly will someone get that in-person meeting? And without an income, how do people suppose a homeless person is going to pay for an Uber?

Great points but unfortunately you're asking a group of people lacking in critical thought the ability to think all of this through, and it's likely not registering.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

Great points but unfortunately you're asking a group of people lacking in critical thought the ability to think all of this through, and it's likely not registering.

And yet you STILL have not provided any solution - only criticism.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

And yet you STILL have not provided any solution - only criticism.

From someone who has contributed zilch in terms of useful material on the topic. See post #10 in this thread.

[cjairo191]

Another law that probably wont be enforced.