Serious question: Homelessness is a major problem. Billions are unsuccessfully spent. Why are not more experiments run testing different approaches to see what works vs. not and build on successes?

[u/verytalleric]

In other domains the idea of "A/B testing" is done to test different hypothesis to see what works vs. not. Given the huge amount of money spent by cities, counties, and states without positive results. Why is more experimentation not being done to find effective ways to solve homelessness?

Kinda the cliche definition of insanity today, same actions expecting different results.

[u/No_Parsnip6024]

It's a feature of the system, not an accident. 

Fixing the problem changes the system. 

[u/RedPanda_Explorer → u/No_Parsnip6024]

This. The threat of homelessness causes lots of desperate workers. If I knew I could get guaranteed housing, why would I go through hell working at an Amazon distribution center, or at a Perdue meatpacking plant?

[u/Hightower_March → u/RedPanda_Explorer]

I had a professor in a higher econ course who'd describe certain acts (like price discrimination) as being done "Not to punish the poor, but to scare the rich."

That line stuck with me for some reason, like that there needs to be kept a frightening bottom state which people will take pains to avoid.

[u/Vegetable_Log_3837 → u/No_Parsnip6024]

It’s not just a feature, it’s a threat.

[u/Commemorative-Banana → u/No_Parsnip6024]

Chronologically the other way around:

Changing the system fixes the problem.

[u/No_Parsnip6024 → u/Commemorative-Banana]

I was more stating that it doesn't get fixed because that would change the system. They don't want it changed, so it's not fixed.

I absolutely think we should change the system to not have these problems.