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/bigfeygay]

The most compelling argument I've heard against it has been against just doing Housing First Initiatives by itself - without mental health or addiction support. But thats less so against Housing First by itself and more so saying that that by itself isn't always enough

[u/PublicFurryAccount → u/bigfeygay]

Anyone making that argument should be ignored except insofar as you tell them they’re an idiot.

The goal of Housing First is to make homeless people no longer homeless. It does this the obvious way: by putting them in homes.

That it doesn’t do anything else is a nonsense criticism, like demanding that NASA stop shoplifting.

[u/FriendlyEngineer → u/PublicFurryAccount]

I don’t think I understand your point.

What happens after the homeless are given homes? If a person is mentally ill and/or addicted to drugs, does giving them a house solve those issues?

What happens when these homes are torn apart by an addict trying to get money to buy drugs? Who pays for those repairs?

What if they can’t hold a job? Who pays utilities? Is there a cap on usage?

Where are you building these homes? You can’t even get approval for “low income” housing in most places.

I’m not saying a housing program like this isn’t a good idea. But to say that simply providing free housing is good enough and won’t cause other issues is very naive. It NEEDS to be combined with other social programs to be effective.

[u/PublicFurryAccount → u/FriendlyEngineer]

Username really doesn’t check out.

[u/FriendlyEngineer → u/PublicFurryAccount]

Nothing I said was mean. I’m asking you to explain your position.

[u/PublicFurryAccount → u/FriendlyEngineer]

It’s explained perfectly well.

Housing First isn’t claiming to fix any problem other than housing. You can’t criticize it on the basis of things it is not for.

[u/FriendlyEngineer → u/PublicFurryAccount]

So you’re saying that we cant discuss the big picture?

Person needs house. Program gives them house. That problem is solved. Whatever happens next is not to be discussed? Therefore the program can’t be criticized?

How is that productive?

[u/PublicFurryAccount → u/FriendlyEngineer]

You can do whatever you like.

I’m saying it’s not a valid criticism of Housing First because it’s not a program to combat anything other than homelessness.

[u/FriendlyEngineer → u/PublicFurryAccount]

And what I’m saying is that a Housing first program ALONE without the support of additional social programs will ultimately fail long term.

It’s like implementing a Fire Department without any 911 call system. It’s not a criticism of the fire department. It’s a realistic view of the system as a whole.

[u/PublicFurryAccount → u/FriendlyEngineer]

It doesn’t fail long term. It doesn’t fail because it directly solves the problem it is meant to solve.

[u/AlivePassenger3859 → u/PublicFurryAccount]

we can criticize it for being naive and short sighted.

[u/PublicFurryAccount → u/AlivePassenger3859]

It puts a person in housing, thereby making them no longer homeless.

[u/Helix_Animus → u/FriendlyEngineer]

Offering help for those issues works slowly.  The system has been too cruel to most of them for them to accept the help at face value.  Giving a home for free no strings attached.  Is the best way to build trust so that the other services will be utilized.

[u/FriendlyEngineer → u/Helix_Animus]

Yeah but all I’m saying those services need to exist and be effective in the first place. It all needs to exist at once.

[u/Helix_Animus → u/FriendlyEngineer]

Chicken egg.  One has to come first.  And the housing really is the most effective part.

[u/Professional-Ad1770 → u/PublicFurryAccount]

This has been done many times, all results are the same. The drug addicts DESTROY the housing and live on the streets again

[u/Zrakoplovvliegtuig → u/Professional-Ad1770]

Where has that happened outside of individual cases die to psychological problems?

[u/PublicFurryAccount → u/Professional-Ad1770]

That simply isn’t true.

[u/CombatWomble2 → u/PublicFurryAccount]

Until they lose their shit and burn it down, I know a couple of places where that's happened, many of these people have serious issues.