A solution for homelessness: Community-Based Problem Solving | Adam Rideau | TEDxTemecula

Humans are an amazing species that can solve any problem or crisis when they come together. Adam created a nonprofit organization that focused on mental health issues experienced by veterans and first responders. Today he focuses on the growing problem of individuals experiencing homelessness; focusing on community organization within the field of social work. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@maryhyson9783]

Does every human being deserve a home, clean water, clean air, clean food? Yes. Yes. Yes.

[@erth2man]

It's up to everyone to go out and achieve a home, clean water, clean food for themselves,........ just don't try to take it form me.

[@erth2man]

@Jaegar Ultima You need a different plan. More education, more training, get better job skills, then you will move up in life. If you are content just sponging off welfare than you will always be stuck with low income forever. We are all "poor" when we are just starting out supporting ourselves, it is what you decide to do that will eventually bring you a better easier life. Been there,.......... but not any more.

[@erth2man]

@Jaegar Ultima Privilege is what you make for yourself. I started out barely able to make ends meet but over the years I developed skills that brought better paying jobs that eventually led to a career. I didn't overspend, fixed my own stuff, never bought a new car, didn't smoke, drink, or do drugs. Have you considered military service? You can pick up great career skills that will serve you well when you come out.

[@laprepper]

@@erth2man there will never be a way for everyone to "make it" in a capitalist society. There are not and never will be enough jobs for them to just "get a job". If we REALLY wanted to provide housing and a meal for everyone they would have to be willing to move to a govt sponsored camp. We can't have 100 different govt agencies w paperwork, applications, checks in the mail, vouchers, direct deposit, etc. There needs to be ONE system to take care of the needs of this population as well as public support for it ever to work. Naysayers will say "you can't just put people in camps and call it a day." No. The "camp" is only a starting point for their new life. And no they will not be held there like prisoners. Enjoy your job. Enjoy paying bills. Enjoy believing that social services, if not MASSIVELY reformed, will ever work for EVERYONE. that and mental and medical help will be provided too. Will it cost billions? Of course. But we either decide we help everyone or we accept the invisible population as humans trying to survive against nearly insurmountable odds. Oh by the way I slept in my car for half a year and took showers at work so I could buy a house, and God forbid I ever lose my job I can rent it out and never be homeless. But not everyone is as aware of the fragility of life as I am.

[@laprepper]

@Jaegar Ultima you go to school at a community college while working full time living with your parents. Or living wherever you can. There are showers at school, and bathrooms, and water. I promise you every community college has a population of struggling homeless students but you would never guess

[@adrienejamison7326]

Thank for this Talk...I would be under the category of transitional homelessness. I was misdiagnosed but I had a brain tumor and was fired from a job after my HR manager found out it was a brain tumor. I found myself homeless. I won't go through my whole story but I was found and rescued and now I am in a home.

[@kelseymariebell1357]

So glad you are! And that someone(s) helped. Sending so much love, in awe of your journey

[@zandaam2]

His solutions are good for the average person who wants to help, but not does provide any solutions for large scale homelessness, drug addiction, mental health issues and unemployment that plague our larger cities. Albuquerque's Mayor Richard Berry's Ted Talk provides such solutions, but are harder to implement for the average person.

[@encouraginglyauthentic43]

Large scale issues can only be fixed by the federal government, who is ran by corporate entities.

[@narwin2477]

nuh uh@@encouraginglyauthentic43

[@mitchnidey2453]

I was homeless for 6 months 8 years ago. I slept outside for 2 weeks while it was zero degrees. That's when I started working for Jesus. I dug 20 lbs of rice out of a dumpster as soon as it got thrown out and the next day I fed it to homeless people and I myself ate it with them. I've had a burden for the homeless ever since. I've done several missionary trips in which I was sent to minister to the homeless. To God be the glory!

[@dlfields8429]

God Bless you Mitch

[@perillivolcomha]

I tried looking up a real solution and this is what I found

[@j.s.b.8420]

this was left open ended on purpose. Rack your intelligent brain and come up with a solution. Share it. Connect with your Community and take action. Small deeds can have huge impacts on a persons life. Best of luck!

[@perillivolcomha]

Ah ok, I'm going to have a ted talk about "A solution for cancer" and then when someone criticizes me for providing no solution at all or any type of useful information; ill say "This was left open-ended on purpose, you go figure it out". Beautiful

[@Verdiz700]

The solution is you, me and other people, otherwise you will think and think till someone elses helpes, that's how people think! Never give money or alcohol , but you can give food, clothes, drinks, shoes etc.........................

[@erth2man]

@@Verdiz700 How about helping the people in your own family that need help? Too many can't even seem to get that accomplished let alone save the worlds ever increasing population.

[@ohlalaparis1106]

@@GeorgiaPeech79 they're also jobless w/ drug or alcohol addictions :(

[@signocologythebook1124]

Homelessness is a 'individual' issue, variables galore, I suggest going to the street and talking with 'us' individually.

[@swolfe9668]

homeless people CHOOSE to be homeless because of the life choices they made, remember back in the old days when people saved and put away for a rainy day. no one in today's world prepares for the future

[@erth2man]

People coming together is great but there are just so many resources to go around. For each success story presented there are three more homeless "victims" to take their place. Homelessness will never be corrected without getting rid of drug/alcohol addiction. Good luck with that major headwind. This speaker didn't offer anything concrete that we all didn't already know and it is great that he was able to help someone get back on their feet. What about the three more that just became homeless behind him?

[@donotreplydumbpeople3866]

I mean... Despite the way media want us to see it drugs are not the only or the mayor source of homeless, there are plenty things that can get you to that point... But despite that I agree with you

[@michaelvanhorn3271]

Been homeless after severe accident, had previously been a truck driver for almost 30 years. Immediately I was homeless as truck drivers drive and I was 1000s of miles from home in a strange city. I had suffered a massive head injury that took 5 surgeries over 2 years to get me back to be able to eat without a tube. Before I even started to recover or get home hospitals and doctors were suing me, I lost all my credit and assets. During my time on the streets I saw about 15% of what people call addiction. Of that about 1/2 were self medicating because of the trauma of becoming homeless. Dont assume it cannot happen to you. Nor that they did something wrong. Many housed people are alcohol and drug users, divorced, accident victims, are in hard times... it just takes the wrong circumstance at the wrong time and you life can change instantly...

[@erth2man]

@@michaelvanhorn3271 Not knowing the circumstances of your accident I'd assume that you weren't adequately insured, especially involving a motor vehicle accident. I'd assume that you didn't have any family members that were able to assist you through recovery. I know that there were family members of mine that would have easily been living on the street if I didn't help them through that speed bump in their life. I believe that most people living on the street are there after a number of bad choices, decisions along with some bad luck. Everyone has bad luck in their life however most don't have to resort to living on the street. Not having enough savings to get through a rough spot, not good enough health insurance if at all, risky behavior and a string of bad decisions as well as addictions. At many levels you make your own set of circumstances in life and your security shouldn't be as shaky as a house of cards.

[@michaelvanhorn3271]

@@erth2man had I either been home or had family it could have been much different. Not motor vehicle accident a tree fell on me at a park. It was 6 months before my Brother was even notified and that was when the company I had been driving for was trying to find their equipment, not sure how the truck stop or tow company did notify them. Both, the police and the hospital dropped me at a shelter a month apart... and I dont remember any of this

[@dogleggedhades0]

What drugs? Caffeine? Nicotine? Ambien? Mushrooms? Aspirin? Weed? Methamphetamines? Do you believe that nobody who's addicted to any type of drug or alcohol anywhere has a house? What led you to believe this utter nonsense. Clearly you need to focus on your own education and less on what drugs other people are taking.

[@itsbeiko]

Sounds like a bunch of fluff you would say in a high school project about the homeless. This might help a few people but it won’t solve the homeless crisis nationwide.

[@christianmartinez3009]

Not with that attitude 🤷‍♂️

[@christopherscheiber1439]

The " nation wide homeless problem" is, at least to some degree, has to do with gentrification, in which money addicted gentrifiers cannot get enough. Rents are only two to five grand a month and steadily skyrocketing. In order to qualify for an apartment you have to make three times the rent so that the money addicted gentrifiers can gradually drain you of more and more as time goes by. Do the money addicted gentrifiers have a time frame for when rents will be ten to twenty grand a month?

[@swolfe9668]

hold each homeless person accountable for the life choices they made, no-one saves money everyone SPENDS SPENDS it's always someone else's fault but never that individual

[@tellsitasitis]

DON'T BOTHER WATCHING THIS. NO SOLUTION GIVEN.

[@JohnVeritas]

They will tell you before you ask! How do you know if someone's a good person? Not all cases are the same. Some people choose to be homeless and don't want to join society. What is his answer to this question? It's easy to talk about always doing the right thing and some people need the help but aren't asking, others aren't asking because we have come to accept this standard of living for individuals as the 'Norm' and we still keep applying this sense of charity that will help everyone. Doesn't California have the largest budget for social welfare to combat this growing issue? Is that really helping? I mean as we speak tax dollars from tourism goes to fund nurses that administrator drugs in these tent cities to keep them safe... Time to get serious about these issues and how to spend hard earned money.

[@anayjaimefarias3815]

You are talking, and you are not presenting a solution.

[@maryhyson9783]

Everyone needs to think about solutions, my only focus is to wake people up.

[@badbert52]

"we just have to come together an fix it"... ok great. How ?

[@maryhyson9783]

This is the problem we face today, we need to demand solutions. The people will help get it done.

[@Firestarthe]

@@maryhyson9783 how? buying gloves isn't going to change their homeless status..... or boost their self esteem.

[@youngclique9670]

The solution is teach a man how to fish that's what the solution is ..

[@Randomusername382]

Question: what is the answer to the homeless crisis? Answer: buy them gloves

[@joeshanahan2919]

The problem with relying on communities and private sector charity to deal with an issue like this is bandwidth. We just don’t have the resources to actual deal with the issue. Government policy has to be enacted and made in order to solve such a huge problem like homelessness

[@kelseymariebell1357]

Thank you for sharing, Adam! Important to remember people and communities can come together to solve problems. Sending so much love, thoughts, prayers, peace.

[@MarkMayhew]

its 2022 and the problem keeps growing.

[@elviaknoll4705]

I'm happy for you. great to hear that you are having such success but I really do feel this is way too simplistic. YOU do not solve the problem by just doing one thing. and you need churches and pantries to work together in order to find out where the gaps are. . . harder to achieve then you may think.

[@dlfields8429]

Government has some responsibility to its citizens . They have no problems funding other countries.. Charity begins at home.

[@willarity6927]

You do not solve "the problem." It's not one problem, it's many, enough that we should be calling it a syndrome. "For every complex problem, there's a solution that is simple, neat, and wrong." -- H.L. Mencken

[@nevrlosehope6079]

Unfortunately, people choose what they will hear.

[@franciscodaza665]

The US needs more affordable housing, but a subsidy based policy only encourages to people that if you screw up the government will take care of you either by providing shelters, decriminalizing drugs, or allowing people to camp in public streets. If you take a look at the migrant population of the US they don’t receive anything and take advantage of any job opportunities that they can find to make a living and have enough money to send back to their families in their countries. I’m not saying that Latin America is perfect because it’s not, but most Hispanic people are used to not receiving anything from the government. We have children working in the streets selling candy and it’s a situation that many people grow up in. If the US wants to change significantly their homelessness problem they have to start by letting that segment of the population know that they are on their own, and that affordable housing will be provided to people that make an effort to work, not cash in unemployment checks but work for a living. If there really wasn’t enough jobs in the US, why do so many people want immigrate into the US, it’s not because of their subsidies because they don’t receive anything but for it’s work opportunities. San Francisco and New York are the best examples. You have both cities funding public shelters and signing progressive legislation to encourage more homelessness. You are allowing people to get used to a system that will always take care of them while you are prosecuting and deporting hardworking migrants that would kill for their passports and ask for nothing else in return.

[@gear14]

We need more than one solution, not all homeless have the same problem but housing is priority

[@erth2man]

We could always increase taxes on everyone else to help lower the high cost of housing that is so expensive because of........................... high taxes.

[@stylesgroove6517]

SPECIALIZED HOUSING. FREE MEDICAL. PRIVACY. In America the taxes are not going to necessary service. Town by Town homeless require individual needs, desires and happinesses. It's complicated but completely solvable. Dignity and Respect because this is the Land of Opportunity. God's grace ✝️

[@jacobl7451]

I watched because it’s gotten so bad that they are far from invisible anymore. Since Covid, the problem has accelerated.

[@melissamolina8327]

I don't get the point of this clip. What is the solution you are proposing?

[@truenorthtarot8670]

Thank you for bringing light to this topic. Homelessness can affect anyone It can be anyone of us. Home is where the heart is. My heart is with Jesus.

[@johnslugger]

Camping vehicle parks that allow the parking of a motor home or camping trailer can cost as little as $40.00 per month including hookup to water, sewer and electricity. BUT ITS ILLEGAL TO BUILD CAMPER PARKS! EVERY CITY REFUSES TO ISSUE BUILDING PERMITS FOR THEM. There are MILLIONS of RV's sitting in storage yards just rotting away that people would just LOVE to give up to the homeless for a $5000.00 tax credit. Most of these motor-homes and trail trailers are deluxe and have been used only a few times before the family got bored of camping. HOMELESS PROBLEM SOLVED!!!

[@laotzu2453]

Hey TEDx, it's 3 years into the future, and homelessness is a lot worst! So, how did you fix it?

[@haleycaroon7232]

You offered no structured solution as to what we can do to help people get off the streets, and what we should do with those who won't help themselves.

[@zinknot]

Having a way to clean my clothes and myself was the most important thing I needed to get a job. It's hard trying to use a sink in a McDonald's bathroom every morning.

[@zinknot]

Those who won't help themselves can be given the incentive to do so. Provide them showers and a place to sleep in exchange. Also a job will give dignity and a sense of purpose.

[@hedylamarr1637]

He has no idea..the scope of Homelessness is enormous..60 thousand on the streets in downtown LA alone..that's just one City

[@slipprypurto]

I just wanna hug her😭

[@danielmiller9884]

The first minute of this video was so speculative and non-concrete. This is rarely how these situations get started.

[@zinknot]

Many people are missing the first two issues you addressed. They need access to showers and some kind of work above all. Just putting them in houses is only going to increase the number of people looking for free housing.

[@look_see1355]

Perhaps housing is a right everyone is entitled to?

[@jamcamp06]

Homelessness is really hurting our Calif. Coastal town. The services and churches that help the homeless are right in the center of town. They hang out on the beach and intimidate and harass. A man eating dinner with his wife in a restaurant was attacked by mentally ill man who sliced open his throat. There is so much crime that most people don't feel safe in their homes. Now members of the community are getting angry at the police for allowing the vagrants to ruin our little town. This guy seems to look at the problem ONLY from the point of view of the homeless. How do we get our town back?

[@matthewmiller1798]

Its simple you have to address the issues of why they are homeless. And it cannot be a simple screw up and your done. Lets change the senario. Your town is now a team. And everyone in it players, imagine wanting to be paRt of that team. And play in the the big game life. Where it feels so good to win, but all the other players treat you like nothing. In 3 months how would you feel? In 6 months how would you feel? In one year, would you not be at a completely different mental state? At 3 months, im not on pure survival mode. Where i would even beg for money. Is this my first bout with homelessness. No is it my last i sure hope so. I have been workinging whole time, had a better job oppertunity that would have gotten me out of the street, lack of funding or some reason above my information totally eliminated that job. Shelters are full or when i call for assistance get waitlisted. Applied for food stamps because im under employed im not eligible for expidited food stamps. Now at 38 and 7 trips of starting over with the clothes on my back, i should no exactly how to be in and out in a matter of days, right? Wrong. You want your town back? We want our lives back. Help them get their lives back. through nurturing understanding and love. Its possible.

[@katechapman3850]

I agree - address the issues of why there is homelessness. Create/build affordable homes, social housing and put homeless people in them. For those with severe mental illness, maybe its time we had more institutional housing again for them with support, medications etc. For those with addiction issues - they need rehab/housing choices. Create a small but real financial incentive for families/relatives to put you up (Carer pension). These are all compassionate acts of a caring society and would curtail homelessness incredibly. Getting people off the streets and into a place that feels ‘safe’ is the most supportive thing we can do for any other human. It creates a base whereby people can make advances. If they are constantly in unsafe places, survival mode, getting attacked, attacking, - then no basic need is being met and people devolve and our society with them. Let’s create real solutions!

[@rjvowels]

In a modern society homelessness really shouldn't exist....

[@almightyzentaco]

People are mostly homeless because they are mentally ill and have a drug addiction problem, not because their car broke down.

[@bucklaw]

​@​ In Chicago one tent City. It started off as one. American Exceptionalism. Everyone has a solution-and yet-not.

[@bskushwaha3]

that not a solution of this time when no one has time to think about a problem other than their own

[@LauraBernal87]

Very well put together👏👏 You hit all the points that naysayers bring up. Thank you

[@GenXAbovetruth]

💯 spot on ❤

[@2324jakemiller]

there are so many groupd but most homless need mental health and treatment and good prgrams but most of all they need to want to work hard i have been homeless and on drugs but i choose to go to the groups to help and they helped me with a roof over my head a little job and and food in my house , do i get by yes do i have everything no

[@izabelaswa85]

add to this good mental health care, ot only giving pills which doesnt solve any problem. Also job from which they can pay bills and not have to be bullied, used etc. and few other things. Its not simple but its duable.

[@izabelaswa85]

@Jaybird23 add to this propper mental health treatment, not only giving pills which doesnt solve the problem at all. Job - yes, but one from which they can pay their bills and not to be used, can improve etc. Whats more they need to be their dignity restored and if theyvve lost hope they need someone who'll help they get it back. Also if someone uses drug or alcohol they need to want get uot from it and if so find help which works. Its not easy but duable.

[@matthewmiller1798]

As a homeless man, i was lucky enough to be resourceful. I am underemployeed chose to go back to school. My strength is a daughter i have never met. I constantly struggle, with a choice of keep money to provide for myself. Or send money. My choices lead me here but, the programs are full after hurricane. But even the programs have strict rules with little additional support. Normally, these same programs one and done. Back to the streets. But that wont work.

[@MP-qf5gg]

At least you’re trying to help your situation, unlike a lot of homeless I’ve seen in my town. Keep going man, because your resourcefulness will reward you soon enough. Good luck to you.

[@american236]

SELF RELIANCE. MENTAL HEALTH. CULTURE. HEALTH. JOB SKILLS. EDUCATION. FAMILY. COMMUNITY. That is the SOLUTION.

[@ctctv6194]

ok we filmed in the valley and it is bad there too

[@mememaker9146]

Ok I know how to help this issue. Everyone should qualify for Section 8. Because if you are single and work a job for $2000 a month why not have the Gov offset your rent for an apartment. The Gov is too choosy on who they help. Need more kids etc.

[@look_see1355]

No one wants to take section 8 either. And if you can't find someone to take it within a certain amount of time, you lose your voucher - true story. Maybe housing is a human right, and our government's job is to use our tax money to care for all of us. The wealth hoarders would never allow it, though.

[@faye2899]

Should the questions of "do human beings deserve basic services? Basic human resources for sustainable living

[@genocanabicea5779]

Homelessness is a very complex problem

[@carolinethorne7825]

24 he a day toilets would help. It is bad enough that some people don’t have a place to live or even sleep.

[@BrianD146]

Always good to shed light on social issues. As a mostly retired social worker I really like the documentary on KZbin called Seattle's Dying and it's sequel. It promotes the Rhode Island model of dealing with the homeless as being best. I would have to agree. It's not compassionate to leave people on the street that will die and heard others along the way. The Rhode Island model dedicates a prison just for the homeless. Not the student going to college who lives out of his car but the chronic homeless who choose it as a lifestyle. I'm talking about the drug addicted mentally ill. Talking about the squatters who break local laws regularly. In the prison you differentiate the ones that are so mentally ill who will never know how to brush their teeth versus the drug addicted, the mentally ill or both. The graduates of this program are thankful and say they would have ended up dead if it wasn't for intervention. The great homeless industrial complex is costing way too much money and doing way too little care. Truly special interest at the trough of the taxpayer. These tiny home villages are crazy expensive when we could have army barracks that people can voluntarily live in. You staff it with tons of mental health workers and social workers in case managers who get these people out of the barracks into housing in a community that they can afford. You cannot expect Los Angeles to be affordable for everyone. Yes we need low cost housing for people who work in the service industry. The homeless do commit crimes but we're not prosecuting so the ones that refuse the army barracks solution for getting off the street then can find themselves in this dedicated prison. Society has got to stop feeding the homeless. If you feed them you only encourage this lifestyle. Hardly anybody makes a change in their life unless it gets painful enough. Not everyone will survive this process and many people will die but that is a fact of life. People are dying constantly everywhere, whether they're homeless or not. Letting homeless have this lifestyle is not compassionate. It is not freedom. It's a lifestyle that brings death, mental illness, is a danger to others and a plague on the city with blight. People work their whole life to buy a home and tourists save up to go on vacation but when the homeless take over an area what's the point of the American dream of saving and working hard and doing the responsible thing that leads to a lifestyle of abundance. Success in abundance is nothing to apologize for. The taxes of these citizens should be used in a productive good way, not wasted on crazy programs that are failing us all. This lifestyle has got to come to an end! The open-minded politicians, the homeless industrial complex are supposed to be the grown ups in the room yet they're failing all of us. We need to get back to common Sense. This notion of personal freedom and expression is crazy when it tears down property values and shutters businesses and is a danger to everyone. Taking over sidewalks, feces, urine and danger that makes our city unlivable is not okay. It is not compassionate to the homeless or the taxpayers. With the Rhode Island model there will be some who upon graduation will only be able to live in a group home. They've done so much damage to their brain that it may take years if ever to come back on line where they can live independently. We have to have a carrot and stick approach. An option to get off the street. Yet if not chosen then involuntary lockup in the dedicated prison staffed with workers to help them regain their skills to live independently. I'm not willing to be open-minded about this even as an old social worker.

[@OliverSolorzano]

This is mostly a conservative point of view to the homeless solution. Notice he doesn’t involve the government interfering into the homeless crisis. He talks about churches getting involved, charities and the overall community to help the homeless people. Not necessarily the government, of course we can discuss what exactly the government needs to to in order to interfere effectively and with solution. However the idea that it’s mostly about charities, churches and community organizations to be the ones in charge of the homeless, that’s the belief that most on the right would argue and defend. In other words, getting the government out of the way of people and letting the free market decide.

[@christopherscheiber1439]

Do the money addicted gentrifiers have a time frame for when rents will be ten to twenty grand a month?

[@look_see1355]

Ya, we pathologize poverty. But geesh, what about the money and property hoarders. Where is my guillotine...?

[@laurenpool8367]

This provides no solution for those who are homeless due to poor mental health, chronic drug addiction, or those choosing to live on the streets as a lifestyle. The suggestions help the homeless, which is a kind thing to do, but doesn't get them off the streets. I was looking for real remedies for the problem.

[@mcoco1887]

Nice talk but where is your friend from that he was shocked to see homeless? I’m curious because I believe the unsheltered are everywhere. Every homeless community is different due to their surroundings and what is available (drugs, alcohol, unemployment, mental health, etc. ) so please I would like to know where your friend is from because maybe he knows the answer to this issue if he was so shocked to see it in America 🤨

[@timmc8444]

Good work Adam!

[@petermichael3261]

To fix the issue is to have a special tax on drug companies and alcohol companies which caused the problem therefore to use the money for low cost housing with support for their drug or alcohol issues.

[@zachhoague2307]

Some people need an institution and some people need an opportunity

[@Dlowr7]

Great talk but I still don’t exactly see a solution proposed. Calling an outreach is great but when we’re talking about several hundred thousand people, we need something bigger than the local outreach

[@swolfe9668]

no one's fault but their own ending up homeless

[@raphlvlogs271]

combating homelessness is a great step to adapting to climate change.

[@raphlvlogs271]

"work" differs for everyone.

[@erth2man]

Most of us are busy putting out fires in our own life. Working hard, paying taxes, looking after our own homes, taking care of our kids issues, and hoping we have enough left over an the end of the month to pay the rent/mortgage. Now some know-it-all tells us that all we have to do is simply work together as a community to give someone else food, cloths, shelter month after month because they have become addicted to some substance that rendered them helpless.

[@1301407gl]

tax the rich!!!!

[@erth2man]

@@1301407gl They are taxed already, apparently not ever enough to satisfy what you want. You can never eliminate the poor by driving down the rich. That is a fools game that has never worked favorable anywhere ever.

[@timhooper3891]

search comments by keyword where?

[@timhooper3891]

I was looking for Charlotte, did she get what she needed?

[@sharonpopolow6874]

Unregulated capitalism is what creates the homelessness situation. 1. Tax the rich at higher percentage. This will bring in funds for social ills. 2. Create more affordable housing solutions for ALL people, and specifically for the homeless- provide temporary free housing through programs. 3. Round up every single panhandler and/or homeless person in sporadic sweeps. Diagnose each one to find out the cause of homelessness (unemployment/underemployment, physical health, mental health, substance abuse, etc). 4. Direct each one to the appropriate venue set up to assist with their specific or most important problem so that they can become productive individuals. 5. If they refuse help or treatment, simply keep them in prison until they accept responsibility for their lives in which upon released, they must first live in a halfway house. 6. End background checks for employment and housing! Many people who are felons fall down the rabbit hole because after they have done their sentence, now they have the stigma and second sentence of not being able to reassimilate back to society's job market or get decent housing. I am very concerned about our homeless, but it's not something the community can do on its own. This is something the government HAS to be involved with, but they do nothing because they don't see these people as investments. Maybe we need to get some of these bigwig Evangelical megachurch pastors to practice good religion and dedicate a portion of their donations to help out.

[@SifuTeddie]

The systematic solution to the focus of issues presented in this video is definitely Medicare for All (M4A). Medical Bills are not the only thing that causes one to become homeless, but not having to worry about medical costs would absolutely alleviate a large amount of stress on the current charity-based system that combats homelessness. M4A would also, by its very nature lead to reform of the pharmaceutical industries that right now advocate the over-prescribing of addictive medication. It would allow for free mental-health and drug-counseling. It would provide for free treatment of those not able to care for themselves due to mental illnesses. The amount of money spent fighting homelessness by local and state governments is grand compared to the costs of addressing the root issues of inequality. Homelessness is not the root issue, it is merely a symptom of a greater issue.

[@malachitlonborne5071]

Wow. His whole point was individuals coming together to solve the issue and your first thought is "more government". Yeah like that has ever worked

[@luthermosley4823]

One of the first things out of her mouth was she got addicted to opioids. The problem isn't she is homeless, its she is addicted to drugs which caused her homelessness. Homelessness is a drug problem and often a mental illness problem. We can fix this by making homelessness illegal and spending billions of dollars to create an alternate mandatory facility to force them to stay and get long-term treatment. Jail is not the answer, ignoring the problem is not the answer, and catering to their weakness or underlying problem is not the answer.

[@frankiecarter8919]

No you wrong, not completely, but still wrong. 1.) People have different burdens 2.) Alcoholics and drug users also have jobs. It's a sub-category of homelessness 3.) Homeless people usually don't have a healthy relationship with anyone in their lives or area they are in. 4.) Alot of people just need to work on their personality and character because they are just horrible people. Also people with homes have bad personalities and character

[@post-centrist666]

That’s it? Where was the solution? What was the point of that? The answer is tax the rich

[@perillivolcomha]

Daniel Thrash and do what

[@post-centrist666]

Perellie provide food, housing, healthcare, work, and a college education

[@perillivolcomha]

@@post-centrist666 uh how much are you going to tax? who qualifies as rich? So taxing the "rich" is going to give homeless people work and a college education? Wasn't it mentioned in the video that many of the homeless are disabled? Where they going to work? Housing? Giving them free housing, healthcare and food sounds so nice but why would they try to get a job or college education then? Honestly I'll try to be homeless if I get to all that stuff for free. "Tax the rich" yeah that'll fix everything! we already heavily tax them and don't have money to sustain any of our current public programs, do you have even a slight idea what that would cost?

[@post-centrist666]

Perellie good, I knew you would understand

[@christopherscheiber1439]

The answer is reasonable rents.

[@mattf1787]

This guy loves hearing himself talk

[@SiegePerilousEsauMaltomite]

Clothes are almost free at the thrift store, showers can be had at a cheap gym. There is damn near NO EXCUSE. They panhandle for 50+ dollars a day minimum if they actually spend some time. What is stopping Charlotte from saving for a car to drive lyft/Uber?

[@1301407gl]

she would have to save for at least 100 days to buy a car to drive lyft or uber, where would they park it at night? you need car insurance too along with food, gas and other expenses

[@brendaprince3019]

wake up one day and go out on the streets and see how far you get with no money no job no food no showers or bed and stay on the streets for the weekend and see how well you do! Just try it for one weekend,no phone or anything!

[@wesolutions2838]

You're speaking like a guy that has never been homeless before. You are thinking inside a box that is inside your world. When you've been homeless and become on homeless then you can talk about how to fix homelessness. Homelessness is more than just being without a home, homelessness is a state of mind. Once you lose your apartment or your place to stay you are technically homeless but for the first month or two you still have your wits about you. You can still think and you can still Focus. But after about a month and a half it stinks then that you're homeless and now that you had become homeless you have to think about where you're going to put your stuff, where you going to eat, where you're going to sleep that's not going to be dangerous. How will you get around, if you have a job how will you get to work and worse than that how will you explain to your boss that you no longer have a house or an apartment to live in and that you're now homeless. How will you deal with all of that without falling into the homeless trap. And now that you've lost your place to stay and you have become homeless you have not only lost your self worth you have also lost your rental history and it'll make it difficult for you to find an apartment because you have to have rental history. And the 10 years of apartment that you just had is out the window because you've been homeless for three or four months now. So you can do all the Ted Talk you want to do but it's going to take a whole lot more than just talking to fix the Homeless Problem. I know because I was homeless for 10 years and it took me at least 10 years at where I'm at to be comfortable with not being homeless anymore. It's not impossible but it is very difficult.

[@wesolutions2838]

@Apple head sorry. I can't believe i wrote all of that. I do see your point and his. Have a great holiday and a blessed New Year.

[@genotriana3882]

So the rehabilitation program needed to fill a spot and the homeless guy just an awareness of the program? That simple? Sounds unlikely. Most homeless have mental health issues and need to be reconnected with family that they trust enough to give the legal right to schedule their appointments, pick up their medicine, and house them. A care taker essentially.

[@carolinethorne7825]

Where are homeless people suppose to use the restroom? Bathrooms aren’t open all day everyday.

[@03bdr]

For the life of me, can somebody explain why Isn't anybody complaining and suggesting to you lawmakers about the cost of housing ???

[@erth2man]

Law makers want to fix the problem by increasing taxes to redistribute wealth. Housing is expensive because of high taxation.

[@christopherscheiber1439]

Thank you! Gentrified rents are only two to five grand a month and climbing with no end in sight. In order to qualify, one has to make three times the rent so that the money addicted gentrifiers can gradually drain them of more and more as time goes by. Do the money addicted gentrifiers have a time frame for when rents will be ten to twenty grand a month? And will it be enough to satisfy their addiction to money?

[@nomadic.a9004]

Activism nowadays is rioting against eating meat next to a guy who begs to eat! Well done teens! You really cut some slack for the politicians:) they don’t need to worry about homelessness, they just worry about pronouns :)

[@GenXAbovetruth]

Yea we can❤❤❤❤

[@michelandresbeck934]

3 printers could provide extremely cheap housing for homeless people.

[@mmorgan8645]

incloosivity is the anser

[@brandonwalker5649]

can’t believe this doesn’t have more views

[@DoctorSpicy]

Some Ted ppl just making private ruminations public.

[@isabelcruz1825]

If there a will there is a way ! You don’t make excuses

[@eric-na]

my 10 minutes were wasted

[@jayroc1502]

If I wreck my car, insurance gets me a rental and I buy a new one. If Uber costs more than my monthly car note, I'd become an Uber driver.

[@laprepper]

Bus is WAY cheaper than Uber, just takes 3x longer...that's why people have cars, time is money

[@chrisvanek7877]

The dude lost me before 2 mins. Yah sure money gets tight for a sec. But totaling your car does not mean you've now become homeless. So your telling me the solution to homelessness is: planning for the future, managing your finances properly and getting creative with food, transportation and hygiene when things go south. Jesus I didn't know it was that simple.

[@csm5040]

I absolute agree on that one.

[@darianbentley3125]

Ya he’s bad

[@dannyd1098]

so, what's the solution again?

[@Jose-lc6nj]

Maybe stop zombifying the economy with government bailouts so the real market shows the real price of housing

[@laprepper]

Govt owns a LOT of land west of the rockies that housing will never be built on. Govt is screwing us and smiling all the while. So of course I work for a govt contractor and am an essential employee. Do I appreciate the irony of my situation? Sometimes...

[@Kain5th]

No the market isnt the answer

[@erth2man]

@@laprepper Not enough land to build on isn't the problem at all. Affordable housing is an oxymoron. Taxes are ever increasing on homeowners to support affordable housing are a big factor that is increasing the cost of housing.

[@joep3279]

Really? The solution to homelessness is people coming together? I think he did a good job explaining how anyone can become homeless, even you or me, and that it's not just mentally ill people. But I was waiting for him to lay out a concrete plan of action, but he just wants us to give them gloves?

[@GamersInHellOnYt]

This isn't a solution. It's a bandaid. But not to fear, I have a modest proposal...

[@bwilliams6755]

What is the proposal?

[@GamersInHellOnYt]

@@bwilliams6755 Its a morbid joke. but I'll explain. There is a famous book called A Modest Proposal, by Jonathan Swift, where eating babies is the solution to the poverty/hunger/overpopulation problem.

[@Viktir123]

Maybe if USA stopped donating millions to Israel each year for no actual logical reason, we could put that money into the homelessness problem. That will never happen.

[@joshs6333]

For lack of a better word this “but them gloves” idea is pretty damn silly.

[@MarySchipke-dg7dg]

Social Cleansing and Democide are the only "help" we millions of American homeless get. Help dying....

[@downstream1152]

That happened quick.

[@carolinethorne7825]

24 hour a day toilets!

[@mariaanderson2560]

I THOUGHT SHE COULDH TEL PEOPLE ABOUT SURVIVAL Y GET MOMEY BLES

[@papicholo623]

"If you're homeless, buy a house"

[@01artist]

You know about the Homeless people how exactly? Have you ever been homeless? You are looking at the homeless from the outside looking into their world.

[@joshuaventura1618]

what have you done to help?

[@01artist]

*Joshua Ventura* well I am glad you asked. . .I was homeless for a good many years in the 80's. When I was living in Seattle I had an apartment in Capitol Hill but worked at the Downtown Emergency Service Center. THat is a place where the homeless could come and get a place to stay. We helped with transitional housing as well. . . It was in the early to mid 90's and Seattle's homeless problem was only about maybe 5 to 10%. Well you asked. . .

[@joshuaventura1618]

And I am glad I asked because this still doesn't answer my question. You getting employment for a company for self gain doesn't mean you're helping. Also this man is trying to help the homeless, how is you negative feedback going to help other homeless people. Makes no sense to me. So if I may ask again, what have you done to help the cause?

[@01artist]

*Joshua Ventura* Ok you got me working with the homeless to help them get off the streets and find apartments is not really helping the homeless (since you do not know what the DESC is I should have mentioned it was a volunteer position, my real job was was working at the Pike Place Market) By the way what are you doing to help the homeless become un homeless? Not more comfortably homeless but Un-Homeless. . .?

[@joshuaventura1618]

Not quite, better preparing them for life might be more helpful. I am sure that working in a cute little market might help you but I'm not quite sure how it helps the homeless besides your part time volunteer hours. Well I am glad you asked. I work for the county helping both veterans and civilians with needs that very sort. We try to educate them, get them jobs, as well as a place to live. In my spare time I volunteer to help all homeless to get them out of the situation they're in, this is besides the business plan that I have started in order to bring "Project Homeless LA" to my local community and provide both veterans and civilians a place to live. Keep your fingers crossed because I present next month. Does this answer your question or should I explain further?

[@jaynauticsbiggestandoldest9349]

If ur homeless....just buy a house like

[@individuality4422]

@Ellery Kenyon ...

[@jcdiesel8215]

@Ellery Kenyon r/whooooosh

[@patriciaanndemello4652]

Low income housing is the answer .

[@roxarecool]

Is that not already offered?

[@roxarecool]

​@Straight Outta Midgard Clearly how? What systems need to be put in place? Maybe the plasticity of human behavior isn't what you think it is.

[@christopherscheiber1439]

Dont let the money addicted gentrifiers hear you say that. In order to qualify for an apartment you have to make three times the rent so that they can gradually drain you of more and more as time goes by. And do they have a time frame for when rents will be ten to twenty grand a month? And will that be enough to satisfy their addiction to money?

[@leegroenewald6045]

Typical! Firmly placed at the feet of those that actually made good decisions, put in the hard yards, never gave up and took what life threw at them and still got up every morning to have a that shower, get dressed , head to work and pay their debt to society, for being part of the solution for a better tomorrow and not another problem. Not withstanding, after all this, the working class seldom has the finances to enjoy life. Some carry two or three jobs to get by and rarely get to enjoy their hard earned cash in the way they would like. BUT YOU SHOULD FEEL GUILTY ANYWAY!? Pffff... There is a large portion of homeless who are on the street because of their own bad decisions, whether it be drugs, alcohol or both. You can give that person all you want on a silver platter and they'll still fail... every time. The problem is with themselves and not society. Society is good for the most part, but we are all fighting our own battles and that's not relegated to only money either. Perpetuating the idea that the majority of the hard working people should feel guilty for their victories in life, will never solve anything! Individual responsibility!!

[@Wwetitanfan27]

Nobody is saying feel guilty, it’s about compassion, and helping those in need in whatever ways you are able. Addiction is not a choice, it’s a daily struggle that cripples you physically, emotionally, and financially. Some people need support and assistance to get back on their feet. Shaming never helps anyone.

[@leegroenewald6045]

@@Wwetitanfan27 Agreed and there will always be those who are compassionate, selflessly. But, fill a lecture hall with those people who made the bad choices for themselves and who need a lecture, not with those who don't!

[@erth2man]

@@Wwetitanfan27 Questionable whether addiction is by choice or not but getting and staying sober is absolutely a choice and option.

[@mkeeeemike123]

Ludicrous!

[@lilscrappy50cent20]

???? What’s the point of working if your not gunna get paid??? Yeah u might stink buuut you get your check and pay for the water

[@christopherscheiber1439]

Few people can afford rents that are two to five grand a month.

[@mrko88]

If you re a homeless, just buy a house, duh

[@jcdiesel8215]

Ikr lol

[@Spiderveins59]

How utterly insulting. Hand a homeless human being a pair of gloves, and their fixed. WTF. Housing and shelter is a survival need.

[@davidbuchanan9273]

What we need to do is start Street by Street. And what it takes is definitely some housing, and then detoxification on a cellular level we're talking about fasting I'm about juice fasting and growing different herbs and throwing it in the blender and telling the person this is going to help prevent you from getting sick. When you say it exactly like that I've been doing this for years the homeless person takes it from you and drinks it and ask for more. and what's going to happen is you're starting to flood that person's brain with vitamins what's going to happen is that person's brain is going to come back alive and they're going to start to be able to make better decisions for themselves. This is one of the only path forward when it comes to homelessness. Please study what I just told you about and teach it and we need to not become salesman not become lawyers , we need people doing this work which is helping people and they should be greatly paid to do it.

[@tekisasuproductions4609]

Is this a joke? I've never seen a more misinformed discussion about homelessness. It's a stretch to even call this discussion, this guy did not do his homework.

[@andrewcheshire244]

Dude paused waaaay too much. Lost patience.

[@vicentediez452]

Just buy a house... duh