Homelessness: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

With homelessness increasing nationwide, John Oliver takes a look at the way we discuss the unhoused, what policy failures are making the problem worse, and how we can help.
Connect with Last Week Tonight online...
Subscribe to the Last Week Tonight KZbin channel for more almost news as it almost happens: / lastweektonight
Find Last Week Tonight on Facebook like your mom would: lastweektonight
Follow us on Twitter for news about jokes and jokes about news: lastweektonight
Visit our official site for all that other stuff at once: www.hbo.com/lastweektonight

[@MasterAndreRaven]

When I was the assistant manager of the local KFC, on nights when I'd have the closing shift, I'd keep the store open for an extra couple of hours, after the rest of the staff had finished up and gone home. Why? Because there were homeless people who were digging through our trash, looking for food that was perfectly edible but had been thrown away for different reasons (it needed to be sold or discarded by the end of the day, it needed to be sold or discarded for so long after it was cooked and held at temp, etc.). Before I'd started working there, they were coming into the area where we stored our garbage bins outside and rummaging around inside of them, looking for something -- anything -- to eat. So what did I do? On nights that I'd close the store, I'd finish everything like normal, put away all the money, make sure the restaurant was clean, the staff had finished their jobs and cleaned their stations properly, and then send the staff home. And instead of locking up the store, I'd let the 20-or-so homeless people in the town (it's a pretty small town comparatively speaking to Seattle and Tacoma, which are only a few dozen miles away) come inside the store. I'd have set aside the food that we hadn't sold or were supposed to have thrown away for the length of my shift, and I'd pass that out to them, along with cups to get something to drink from the fountain. I'd let them sit in the dining area and rest for a little while, so they could relax and charge their phones. I'd leave the bathrooms open so they could relieve themselves. And when they were finished, and after they'd had a good meal, I'd tell them they had to be out of the store by midnight, and every single one of them would be out of the store by midnight; no complaints, no fighting, no arguing. Just people grateful to have been treated like people. I've told people this before. And the first question most people ask is, "Weren't you worried about being robbed?" And the truth of the matter is, I wasn't. All of the money had been put away in the safe and was untouchable. All of the food that was there was being given freely. There was no reason for any of them to want to rob the store or me. And after they'd leave the store, I'd go back over the areas where they'd been sitting, clean the surfaces again, clean the bathrooms again, make sure there wasn't a trace they'd ever been there, and lock up the store properly. Before I started working there, there had been a couple of break-ins at night in the months prior to my hiring, one person had been robbed at gunpoint, and our trash cans were being raided almost every night. After I was hired, there was nothing; no attempted break-ins, no violence towards the staff, and the trash cans were kept clean. Hell, most days, we wouldn't even need to clean the parking lot of the detritus that normally accumulates. It would be spotless every morning after I'd finished my shift. I gave up about two hours of my life every night, five nights a week. In return, a couple dozen people or so were happier, they were more able to get back onto their feet with a hot meal in their bellies, and our store was safer and cleaner than ever. There's no downside to helping those who are less fortunate than yourself. After all, you're here to make the world a better place for those unborn and yet to come. That starts with at least a little decency and respect for your fellow human. Good luck out there, people. [EDIT 11/18/2021] Wow, this is getting a lot more attention that I expected a comment on KZbin would get. Since I wrote this, there've been new comments virtually every single day, so I feel like it's a good time to address some of them (feel free to let me know if there is anything in this addendum that wasn't covered or you'd like answered; I'll take the time to respond when I can). - I didn't get fired for this, and the owner of the franchise never addressed what I was doing while I was working there. I eventually left this job because the owner (who is also the manager of the KFC) had unreasonable expectations of staff when it came to coming in to work on days off, when other people had called out, because there was a snow storm and the store should have been closed for the safety of staff and patrons. If he ever discovered what I was doing, he never mentioned it directly to me, and there was never any inquest done that I'm aware of. - If there had been any official investigation about what I was doing, I would have happily fought like hell against any sort of reprimand or punishment for not only doing what was right, but also doing what made sense. Our garbage bill was based on weight; if less food is being disposed of needlessly, then there is less garbage to be thrown away. Quod erat demonstrandum: Whatever was spent on additional detergent, soap, paper towels, and toilet paper used in excess of normal business operations was offset by the additional savings from giving away literal hundreds of pounds less of "garbage" (i.e. perfectly edible food that was otherwise set to be disposed of because it couldn't be sold to the public). - What I did doesn't actually cross any legal lines when it comes to food safety. If you're unsure about this, there is a program on Food Waste by Last Week Tonight that covers "Good Samaritan" laws in accordance with food. It's actually not illegal to give people food that has passed its mandated expiration (in accordance with food safety / ServSafe guidelines); it's only illegal to make people PAY for food that has passed its mandated expiration, because that is then false advertising (as in, selling an inferior product for the normal price despite the product being inferior in some way to what is expected by the customer). - I've tried to go through and make sure that everyone who spoke in agreement or support of what I did received a like for their comment, just so you know that I see you, I respect you, and I appreciate that you took the time to respond. That's important in today's world. It's a lot easier to voice concerns and criticism, but stay silent when you approve of something. It's worth remembering that, if you want to foster good, encouragement goes a long way. Never be afraid to let yourself be heard. Still wishing you all nothing but the best. Stay safe out there!

[@txlee5513]

Bless you. Two hours each day plus all the cleaning up afterwards is a huge gift. And a huge blessing for the people who could eat and rest. Bless you.

[@ifeoluwaadeoye6557]

Thank you for your service. You are the model example of what those that call themselves "Christians" are supposed to exemplify. I don't know when these people became so selfish. I do hope there's a heaven just for your sake.

[@thatfuzzypotato1877]

Damn sir... you got me in tears.

[@JEMurl]

for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ Matthew 25:35-40 -JESUS (said that!)

[@sabreenabdullajirrow7566]

This heart worming. May Allah bless your heart. Am greatfull to know there is people who are welling to act with kindness like you. You treated them with humanity and showed them they are better than what people make them feel in the street. Thank you

[@InvisiblePeople]

To all of the team at Last Week Tonight THANK YOU! This is the first time a national show has addressed how public perceptions influence policy change. The show also hit every talking point those of us working in the sector try to communicate. We are grateful. YOU ARE AWESOME!

[@PlsGiveBeans]

Invisible People, thank you for also shedding light on a very large issue in our country. Without people like you who tirelessly work to shed your own light on it which then helps John snd his team make it more national! You're an excellent human and you deserve to be cherished as well! Thank you good sir!

[@Meliaison]

Love the work you do, thank you for providing such wonderful and humanizing interviews with beautiful people who are struggling the most. You help ease the stigma.

[@mgartz]

No Mark, YOU are awesome. Thanks for all of your work.

[@laratahm8124]

Thank you for your work!

[@ceebrzee3351]

@naked alienwith respect - dropping a random link into someone else's comments without some qualification ain't going get far.

[@rebeccah.4983]

Playing "it's raining tacos" to annoy and harass sleeping homeless people is an especially cruel song to play to people who very probably do not have access to daily food sources.

[@lindamorris3149]

I thought so too!

[@johnhamilton6003]

I was very disappointed John Oliver missed this very obvious point.

[@ChickSage]

The practice is cruel enough, but picking that song might keep someone from entering heaven

[@stoodmuffinpersonal3144]

I'm so mad that being a dick or being cruel going to people going through unimaginable pain seems so much easier and cooler to people, than. Idk. Trying to fic a single thing.

[@GottaWannaDance]

@@johnhamilton6003 This show is about homelessness, not food, clothing, etc. Homelessness and it's opposite ( living in a home, with a toilet, shower or bath, bed to lie flat and safely in, etc.) is the topic.

[@YukariOro]

I was a caregiver to my father for 5 years until he passed away due to Parkinson's disease and related dementia. I suffer from childhood ptsd as well. Since my father's house was sold, I've been sleeping in my car with my dogs at rest stops and inexpensive federal campgrounds, the latter with a half-price discount access card. To enter a shelter, I've been told I must give up my dogs-who are often the only thing keeping me going. I wouldn't give up on my Dad and I won't give up on my dogs. I made a commitment to them, and I won't break it. I don't do drugs, I don't smoke or drink. I live this way because I'm on disability and can't afford to rent anywhere that allows dogs, and I have no rental history and at the time of my Dad's death, I was credit invisible. Homelessness isn't a choice-you become homeless due to a lack of choices.

[@thexalon]

One thing John didn't get into, but could have mentioned: How we treat those of us without homes also affects domestic violence in a big way. If you don't have a way to leave a situation without risking freezing to death on the streets, you'll stay, even if that involves getting beaten regularly.

[@JesseLeeHumphry]

Could have mentioned it, but that seems at best tangential to the homeless problem.

[@CrystalLynn1988]

That's very true. I moved in with my boyfriend of several years when he became abusive and controlling. I called a helpline and they told me to leave my cat and personal belongings to go to a womans shelter. I couldn't do that so I stayed and tolerated the abuse longer until I could find an escape plan where I could get my cat and sentimental belongings. I lived in a tent in the woods with my cat until I could get us someplace safe.

[@peachybuttercrunch4409]

a sad effect, and one that i didnt think of

[@hmlqrt2716]

@@CrystalLynn1988 Honestly thats pretty dumb. Its like if youre starving but refuse food bcs its bot organic

[@lynxaway]

@@goji508 you don’t know anything about her or her life beyond that single youtube comment. Does it bring you joy to sneer at someone who’s been through unimaginable struggle?

[@bodenlosedosenhose1590]

Screaming "go home" at homeless people might be the single most idiotic thing I've ever heard about.

[@ewarren4244]

It comes from the lie that's a lot of news outlets perpetuate that the majority of the homeless population came to the city because they heard it was soft on homelessness. (This is very popular in Seattle, but it turns out, if you include the Seattle area, most homeless people here lived here before they were homeless) It helps sell the idea of homeless people as invaders who can be forced back to 'where they came from' with sufficient cruelty.

[@bodenlosedosenhose1590]

@@ewarren4244 Forgive me my rather disrespectful tone, but it seems that quite a few people in the US, despite the country owning the reputation of inhabiting the most patriotic people on this planet, really enjoy tearing into each other for the most outrageously idiotic reasons.

[@simplyincorrigible7708]

er, other cities have a habit of bussing their homeless to more liberal places. Spend some time around that crowd. A sizeable number aren't from that area at all.

[@leok7193]

Living in Southern California, it isn't that strange. We have a ton of homeless showing up from other cities and states because of ridiculously liberal laws, good climate, and relatively generous population.

[@bodenlosedosenhose1590]

@@leok7193 Still one doesn't know a homeless person personally, so one could yell that at somebody who actually hasn't been bussed to their city, and furthermore this way of interaction with homeless people shows very prominently a certain, if not great disdain for folks "underneath" one in society.

[@scarlettraven6505]

As a formally homeless woman, I can also add the complication of just being female. Period products can be very difficult to come across and a lot of shelters and programs are run by religious organizations that aren’t really all that interested in helping homeless women. Thank you for shining such a bright light on serious topics.

[@coalblooded]

Period products should be free for everyone, but especially those who are experiencing homelessness.

[@___Kelli___]

I’ve been homeless at two different points in my life and I can attest that finding help for my situation was unbelievably restrictive in regards to the charities unwillingness to help me because I wasn’t catholic, because I cohabitated with my long term bf (we were unmarried) and I think it’s atrocious that those were deal breakers.

[@coldscorpion6973]

​​@@___Kelli___ I am a Catholic and it makes me sick how conservative and not helpful the Catholics are in the US. The whole point of believing in Jesus is that you don't discriminate anyone because you must love even your enemies. As the pope said "the only time you can look someone from above is to help them get back on their feet"

[@gloomyblackfur399]

Thank you. As a male (mostly) I really hadn't thought of that aspect of homelessness.

[@randallcauley9484]

Just being able to access a bathroom for human needs, find clean water, change clothes, or show up clean for a job .... If people just used any amount of consideration (even if they were a bit short on the empathy spectrum, or like, diminutive), it would be obvious (and easy) to create solutions (and livable cities). The Frisco interview - spot on. So many folks doing this. It's what Frisco means

[@stoneharper7038]

“Far too often stories focusing on homelessness only talk about how it affect people with homes when it is the people without the homes who need help” That absolutely blew my mind, spot on with the accuracy

[@PROVOCATEURSK]

The capitalists prefer to fund armies for non-existent threats.

[@pauld.b7129]

Yes, but if you've ever done volunteer work, you'll know that solving homelessness basically needs providing everything for these people. While there are some people who are just in unfortunate circumstances, most just aren't motivated to take care of themselves. I've seen people begging withing visual distance of a "now hiring" sign... What we really need is designated camping areas so druggies aren't hanging out in people's front yard, and they can live without being disturbed by cops.....

[@Kardia_of_Rhodes]

That's because homelessness is unfortunately viewed by most people as a societal constant rather than something that can be actively fixed.

[@ChrisDoyle2112]

@@pauld.b7129 don't be part of the problem...your volunteer work doesn't make you an expert on homelessness...go try surviving a week or a month in one of those camps, then give us an informed opinion...until then...well, you know the saying...i've lived it and you're just spewing stereotypical rhetoric #whitepeopleproblems #firstworldproblems

[@pauld.b7129]

@@ChrisDoyle2112 you don't have to stay in a homeless camp. I've been homeless and still not been one of those dirty, idle people sitting around asking for money. I volunteered because I have lived it. It's not misinformation. If your in a hole, dig yourself out. Waiting around for society to do the heavy lifting for you does nothing for nobody. Also, if someone is on the street, they've probably burned all their bridges with friends and family already. There's a reason a friend doesn't take them in....

[@milkteamachine]

My mom and I were homeless when I was a child. It was genuinely one of the most traumatic things that ever happened to me, she had to fight tooth and nail to get housing, and I almost ended up in foster care. We’re all closer to being homeless than we are to being millionaires.

[@olandir]

That right there is poignant. For most people it only takes one lost job or one landlord eviction or rent raise to lose a home. Yet people are convinced that everyone can raise themselves up to upper-class / millionaire status if you just "work hard enough" and "hustle".

[@epothos1]

Same here. Unfortunately that is all too true. I ended up in foster care under my mom’s friend’s house then I had to wait until my mom got housing when she did we ended up moving a couple of times. My mom then started dating this one guy who seemed normal. He stole the car and her check book and fucked up her credit after that we were evicted and were living in a shelter for a bit. After that we caught a break from a friend from mom’s NA group. It was in a more dangerous part of town but at least we didn’t need a credit check for the apartment. We moved to a small town bounced around apartment to duplex then we got into a house in like 2006. 2008 the mortgage crisis happened and we were almost homeless again but my grandparents finally started helping us out they bought our house for us. Now we are one decision from being homeless again. I have lived life with most of it in the hands of another for awhile now and I gotta say that though I count myself as lucky to have friends and family I don’t like having this feeling of being unable to help myself.

[@justinturk9369]

That's a fact we are conditioned to ignore from a very young age. We are brainwashed into believing that we are all one lucky break away from being millionaires, but the reality is that we are all a hell of a lot closer to being a paycheck or less away from being homeless and starving.

[@konigstiger3252]

Where was her man? Oh wait, she had kid outside of wedlock. Sound like her problem hmm?

[@Odinsday]

@@justinturk9369 Something like 40% of Americans couldn't afford $400 of medical expenditures, and this was before the pandemic, so I'm sure that number increased even more. What an amazing country.

[@70528g]

"despite Tyra's best efforts, homelessness is still a huge problem in this country" almost got me killed...

[@VoodooV1]

waitwaitwait. You mean to tell me....a rich and famous celebrity....didn't solve the problem?? I need to sit down here and think about that.

[@Gepstra]

Get well soon!

[@estefanolivares4159]

@@VoodooV1 well when the people won't let you build in their " backyard " is it any surprise

[@religionisapoison2413]

@@estefanolivares4159 "y'aint building huts in my town. No no. My town's a sanctuary city for life, the real life: unborn babies. Not actual people. Ban abortions and homeless people." -Mason, OH Laura Strietmann right to life, divorcee and foreclosed upon person (Hamilton county Ohio court records);

[@TexelGuy]

The punchline to that joke came AFTER the punchline.

[@abstract_extremist]

"You wear your bias like a badge of honor when you see my history. You judge me for having children, for needing assistance. You hate me for wanting the stability you take for granted and why, because you didn't like looking the other way when you saw me on the street or is it simply because I make you uncomfortable and your discomfort is enough to disqualify a person from the American dream." -kiana Scott Powerful words. Excuse my terrible grammar i was just disappointed I didn't see anyone else mention her.

[@TheOriginalMarkJones]

My wife was homeless at one point. She worked 3 jobs and put herself through law school while couch surfing and depending on the kindness of strangers. People desperately misunderstand the state of homelessness in this country.

[@randallcauley9484]

If not for the kindness of friends...There are so many good people who get it. But there are a LOT of people working (at all levels of government and in businesses that should know better) to make it harder on Americans. Dumb. Regressive. And a major policy fail for a so-called developed country. This issue alone drags us from "#17" in the world in terms of quality of life, to #29 and dropping in terms of well-being and "happiness" index (think, life, liberty, and the pursuit metrics). F (fail)

[@JRubin3]

I’m currently living in my car. I have a job at Wendy’s working as much as I can. I want to get a second job but my driver’s license is listed as my previous apartment where I was evicted from. I can’t update my license because of the real i.d act which requires me to have a physical address. I have a P.O. Box that I thought I could use, but that doesn’t count anymore (at least in Florida). Without that drivers license I’m stuck in the single job making enough money to eat fast food and live in my car barely. If I ever have a medical emergency or a car accident/theft I’m screwed. My town has 3 shelters, two of which are women or family’s only and the last one has such a big problem with theft and vandalism that I won’t touch it with a ten foot pole. Hell I just got the vaccine because I needed to have a valid i.d just to get it till recently. Thank you for shining a light on this John

[@dannydaw59]

How does the real id act relate to employers?

[@Primalxbeast]

I'm also living in a car with a driver's license that has been expired for 2 years because of that stupid real id law. I lost my birth certificate, so that's a problem on top of the no address problem. You need a birth certificate to get ID and you need ID to get a copy of your birth certificate. I'm lucky that the police in my area have been understanding about me not being able to get my licenses renewed, but I'm afraid to drive to other areas for things like doctor's appointments.

[@ol1294]

Can you ask a Co worker to lend you there address if they rent a apt. Or find someone that is willing to lend you an address

[@tovanto3971]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYCam6WKhq2AndE

[@goodvibrato]

Eating fast food is expensive. Try throwing together some cheap meals that don't need refrigeration. A can of Ranch Style beans is amazing by itself, rice cakes and peanut butter, can of mixed nuts (expensive but makes a good snack for several days or a week), dark chocolate (72% cacao for something relatively tasty and healthy), can of tuna and whole grain crackers, pickled vegetables, almonds, apples, bananas, carrots, bell peppers. Obviously raw fruits and veggies need to be eaten within a few days.

[@Ellary_Rosewood]

As someone who was homeless a few different times when I was younger, the first time being when I was 13, so many people don't realize exactly how EASY it is to one day lose everything and become homeless. How traumatic it is, how it changes your entire life, and how hard it is to get out of it. So many people in the U.S. are just one hospital visit away from homelessness, or even just one paycheck away from it.

[@manuginobilisbaldspot424]

People who haven't experienced something often just don't have the empathy in this country. Well I do know. My apartment burned down in 2003 and I lost everything. Staying in roach motels only because of the grace of friends to wandering the streets for weeks before my best friend sent for me...it permanently reshaped the way I try to treat people.

[@cerebraldreams4738]

Or you get arrested and don't have enough cash on hand to post bail. Even if your charges are bullshit, you're going to be in jail for three to six months before the charges get dismissed. By the time that happens, your apartment has already completed the eviction process, and all of your stuff is gone.

[@sasak369]

I've never been homeless, but once a homeless guy sat across from me in the tram, struck up a conversation and really gave me the impression that he was just glad to be treated like a person for once, be listened to. I realized that the only thing that separated me from him was I have parents who can afford to house me even when I'm not in a position to completely take care of myself out in the world yet, as a mentally ill student. I'm just lucky. The injustice broke my heart.

[@AnthonyGoodley]

As other replies here show becoming homeless can happen a multitude of ways to people. Often through no fault of their own. Yet so many people who are a paycheck or two away from being homeless look down upon those without and have no empathy. I'm rather confident that things are going to keep getting worse before it gets better Things will be forced to change as the number of people going hungry and sleeping on the streets increases else crime will.

[@krejados1]

You're right, Ellary. Both of my homelessness stints were brought on by traumatic events - first time, fleeing an abusive marriage and, second, losing everything in a housefire (set by the guy that was selling me the house, so he could collect the insurance). Each time, finding the will to dust off and rehouse for the sake of my kids incredibly difficult.

[@adde9506]

Fun fact: raccoon turds can look like they came from a human. When a tent city springs up, the amount of animal-accessible food goes up, making a trash panda population boom possible. People don't generally poop on your lawn, homeless or not, but I swear raccoons do it just to screw with you.

[@bigmarty11288]

Raccoons are almost smart enough to know it annoys people

[@caseyleirer9677]

It’s also a lot of humans. It’s absurd in a lot of places. They have literal shit maps.

[@williamslater-vf5ym]

Whether it's human shit or raccoon shit, it's shit, caused by the existence of a tent city. So I'm not sure what your point is here. And humans also do things "just to screw with you". I had a friend who took a dump in somebody's car, "just to screw with him". If you're a human, pissed off that another human has a home and you don't, you might take a dump in their yard. Especially if you're withdrawing from opiates.

[@mammawlee]

If the raccoons and the homeless cats ever get together, we will all be vegetarian. AND homeless. Because raccoons have HANDS and cats feel they are at the top of the food chain.

[@williamslater-vf5ym]

@@mammawlee If it came to that, we would just see a lot more cat and raccoon stew.

[@kumayasei]

The concept of "homeless veterans" really tells a thing. If they do not respect enough their so-called heroes to grant them decent living conditions, I can't even imagine how rthey think of the rest of people that, for one reason or another, find themselves in a situation of indebtedness or just not making enough money to pay rent

[@katherinetutschek4757]

This is how I've always felt. It's a disgrace to let veterans be on the streets or go without proper healthcare when it was literally their government that put them in that position in the first place.

[@hooting-ton5215]

"Hey, thank you for fighting in a war we started... now fuck off and survive on your own dipshit!"

[@TheNinthGenerarion]

The Roman Empire and the Republic before it experienced many revolts from their soldiers for not providing them land to own after their years of service, seems like the US is making the same mistake.

[@DiegoAlvarezBeltran1993.]

You're a hero until you serve your purpose and then, once you've served that purpose, you are expendable. The myth that serving your country is for honor, glory and the pride of defending a system that actively and viscerally hates you.

[@zuzanazuscinova5209]

​@@DiegoAlvarezBeltran1993.it's dumb to serve any country to begin with

[@Stampede103]

Playing “It’s Raining Tacos” to hungry, starving homeless people trying to sleep is just cruel and unusual punishment

[@ProbotX-eo5ln]

Hahahahaha

[@christinafidance340]

I agree!

[@vienlacrose]

Its psychological warfare

[@nataliekhanyola5669]

That's republican "christian compassion" for you.

[@marcosolo5718]

Soak in the fact that sleep deprivation is prohibited and considered torture under international rules and conventions even to PRISONERS, let alone to normal citizens.

[@Yerp_To_Da_Skerp]

As someone who was homeless its absolutely the most dehumanizing I've ever experienced. I was beat multiple times while sleeping, sometimes from police sometimes just random people, had food and drinks thrown on me, had the police cut my sleeping bag into pieces, and even now that I own my own company work every day and support my family and in fact own a house I've been mocked or shamed by people who found out. I am just as human now as I was then and yet stray dogs are treated with more kindness than I ever was

[@HarshRajAlwaysfree]

sucks man... civilization have truely fcked us up they have made surviving detached from it really difficult, they say you are free but it almost seems like hoax if I'm free i should have a choice to just detach and live on my own but all the resources are hoarded by the people at least mostly accessible one are how can we survive out of this slavery for money, for things we don't even care, we have become a slave of each other its really disappointing, we are supposed to be free but we don't even know anyway out of the system we were raised in this only to be a gear, if function badly we just get thrown away and replaced

[@poundfoolish6702]

Chris . I’m proud you and the changes you made you are more man than most people will ever be. God bless you and your family

[@leok7193]

Hey, don't bring dogs into this. I like them more than humans anyway.

[@RetardGamingHDx]

/r/thathappened

[@Yerp_To_Da_Skerp]

@@RetardGamingHDx ....? Why would someone even lie about something like that. I was a herion addict for 15 years constantly in and out of sober houses and on the streets... but I could honestly careless if you believe me. But just saying, you're definitely part of the problem here and you may need to self reflect on that a lil buddy.

[@susanc8220]

I just left an abusive marriage and am now living in my parents' basement. I never even considered that I am homeless due to domestic abuse. What an eye-opening moment for me. Thank you, John Oliver. And I know that I am lucky enough to have a soft place to lay my head being with my parents, but it is not where I want to be, and I am not in a position to afford my own home at this time.

[@ariane9214]

I hope you're doing better now. I wish you the absolute best ❤

[@Noah-lo9vb]

Wishing you the best

[@erikaarnold4780]

You have a chance for a fresh start. 🕊️Now you can write whatever story you want for your life. Healing and plotting is your next initiative. 🧘🏾‍♀️Be intentional. Forgive yourself. Kick some ass this year! You got this! 🌍🎇🦄✊🏾🧞‍♀️

[@coalblooded]

Really late here, but I'm so happy you left that hell and were able to be safe at your parents' house. That takes so much strength. I hope you are doing well these days :)

[@user-cn8ip5ym3j]

you are not homeless if you have a basement to live in. your only living in a condition your not completely comfortable with.

[@Panfrog.7]

I'm a 16 year old when I was 11 me and my family lost our home because we were renting and it was sold out from under us with little warning we slept in a motel and it was one of the worst experiences of my life but we still had enough food and had a warm place to sleep at night these people who don't have either of those deserve much better

[@YuukitheMighty1]

"Housing costs are rising faster than wages." Say it louder for the people in the back.

[@doneestoner9945]

Many people that have jobs cannot afford the astronomical rents around here.

[@aronchai]

Read 'Progress and Poverty" by Henry George for insight as to why.

[@theBear89451]

@@aronchai That's only a very small part of what is going on. The CURRENT growth rate differential is primary caused by simultaneously increasing the money supply while shutting down businesses.

[@elizabethpalumbo6516]

Agreed! I would be house poor with current rents if I lived alone and one paycheck away from the streets myself.

[@mr.jodaniels4156]

Why do you suppose that is happening?

[@dylank.4498]

As a veteran myself, it really grinds my gears that we have those in government, who don’t dare increase spending on social programs but have ZERO hesitancy to increase spending on the military, police, and jails/prison. Their excuse to not supporting social programs seems to always be “we cannot afford it.” Problem is we can afford it. We just have our priorities out of whack.

[@garbageparade5144]

The problem is you have no idea what you are talking about we spend far less on the military then social programs actually look at some budget reports

[@TitoTimTravels]

We outspend every other country in the world for military. We have unlimited funds to waste on war, and no one asks who will pay for it. But try to actually help our own people? Oh...perish the thought.

[@angelan6121]

@@garbageparade5144 it's how amazing how confident you are with being wrong. You should look at the budget report yourself before you advice others to do so.

[@jocelyncooper1738]

The people in government in this country care absolutely nothing for the average person living hear. That becomes more e apparent to me as the days pass on.

[@jashanestone]

✅✅✅💯

[@siriusputsch1842]

"Far too often, stories focusing on homelessness are presented solely through the lens of how it affects those with homes, when, in reality, it is obviously the people without them who need the real help." ~John Oliver

[@josephdrury8579]

That is such a dumb quote and it is even more idiotic to idealize it. Let me rephrase it for you - " Far too often, stories focusing on homelessness are presented solely through the lens of those with homes and or apartments, aka basic normal fucking individuals who are very clearly the majority in society and thus the narrative portraying an issue through the lens that most of the population sees it through is not inherently bad." And that, my friend, is a huge point that this episode missed. Normally a great show, but this one was terrible.

[@chinmaypurohit3431]

@@josephdrury8579 This is where the “Not in my backyard attitude stems from”. A lot of them could really go ahead and improve their lives but without a home, you cannot take a shower for a job interview, or apply for jobs, so essentially people like you call them abnormal and also block their pathway to normalcy, not very different from the slave owners

[@ejshafer]

@@josephdrury8579Haha! Oh yeah. I couldnt make it past 10 minutes. What a bunch of bullshit. I'll go find another episode to watch instead....

[@bobpurcell7175]

Actually, not all Americans are assholes. 1 out of 3 deserve to live. I'm sure I don't need to name names here.

[@bobpurcell7175]

​@@josephdrury8579 If you haven't experienced it, your opinion shouldn't mean shit to anybody, just like it doesn't to me.

[@jacob07221]

living here in portland oregon, i’ve had my fair share of experiences with the houseless, and i can say without a doubt the overwhelming majority of them have been positive. i’ve bought them dinner, i’ve talked and laughed with them, hell i even helped one move by shoving their stuff into my car. it’s been an incredibly humbling experience for me and done nothing but motivate me further to fight for equity in this disgusting system of oppression we call the US. i myself am fortunate enough to have housing with great roommates, a full time job, and a family that would take me in in a heartbeat if that was ever to happen to me, but even still i live very much paycheck to paycheck and it’s not any less stressful

[@celticwolff5429]

I was hoping John would point out how cruel it is to play a song about all you can eat tacos at homeless people.

[@skittenskitten]

I was thinking that too.. its so hard to fall asleep hungry and then having that song rubbing it in all through your sleep.. its really cruel actually

[@apuapustaja1958]

Homeless people can make 200+ dollars to feed their daily heroine habit. Being Homeless in the first world is not a bad life.

[@brianm7109]

@@skittenskitten Then they should go sleep somewhere else... Not on a walkway by the front door of a downtown business

[@everentropy]

@@apuapustaja1958 You did not watch this video did you. Yikes.I'd be embarrassed to write that

[@leadpaintchips9461]

@@everentropy People with that opinion, in my experience, don't think it's embarrassing to say that despite the evidence that's laid out in front of them.

[@jaridkeen123]

I was homeless for 4 months in my early 20s. I have never felt so much hate. I worked 50 hours a week and I was so frustrated on why I couldn't afford a place to live. Edit: Where i was working: - Publix (Grocery Store) - Some Fast Food Job ( I dont remember what one, i worked for so many food industry jobs) I lived in Florida and Delaware homeless time to time. In Delaware I was paid $7.25 an hour and i think my take home pay was $900 or something a month after tax. Florida was not much better, made $1200 a month but rent was $1400 - $1750 No, im no longer poor or homeless. Im a Software Engineer now. No, hard work didn't get me where i am. It was knowing people

[@proprietarycurez8463]

vanlife

[@Andreamom001]

I have a family member who had a similar situation. Work friends offered a room but charged her exorbitant rates and then locked up the toilet paper and food so she couldn’t have any. She went to a shelter.

[@johnsmith-so5do]

What did you do for work, where do you live and when was this ?

[@mostbestjia627]

Have you tried moving to a different city? You don’t have to be stuck at one place forever

[@robertblokdijk901]

America.. home of the homeless. so FREE. to live under a bridge. Poverty is everywere.. but.. in a country with trilloinairs it is insulting .

[@HIMAslapU]

My rent went from $500 a month to $350 a week (was living and working in a hotel, new owners came in with no warning). Now I live in a tent behind my job trying to save up enough to get a place. But people don't realize how expensive being homeless can be (yes there are different levels of homelessness), and how hard sometimes seemingly impossible it is to find a place.

[@SavageEcaterina]

My fiancé and I currently have two roommates who would be homeless if it wasn’t for us moving heaven and earth to give them a home. Both suffer from mental health problems, but we do everything we can to make sure they are taken care of. It bothers me when people don’t want housing for homeless in their area. They are the kindest people and they sometimes have break downs think they are unworthy of our kindness. They are far more worthy in my eyes then most people.

[@tracesprite6078]

You and your finance are wonderful people. May blessings come into your lives all the time and I hope your room-mates can be happy and healthy.

[@Dicearoo]

"A man was walking around with a machete" oh no, imagine people walking around with weapons in Texas

[@TheWizardMus]

So they're saying that seeing a random stranger openly carrying a weapon doesn't make them feel safe and actually makes them feel in danger because they dont know the random strangers intentions? Wow! I never would have expected that!

[@uncannyvalley2113]

right?

[@fourlightsorchestra]

Most conservatives don't have any real values. They say they do, but what they really have is double standards. Blue lives only matter when they see them as on their side, sex trafficking is wrong only when it's not a republican doing it, Abortion is wrong only if it's not them secretly doing it, and now here we are at the right to bare arms.

[@centerrightpunk]

@@fourlightsorchestra no, you're just an ideologue

[@fourlightsorchestra]

@@centerrightpunk If the answer is truly no, what explanation can there be for why so many conservatives seem to hold such strong ideals, only to completely abandon them the moment it's inconvenient? And no, I'm not an ideologue. I examine why I feel and think the way I do, and I'm also a pretty flexible guy. If there was an alternative explanation that made sense to me, I'd change my opinion.

[@johnfaber100]

How to solve homelessness: Finland: Give them all homes Germany: We'll pay your rent and help you get a job America: Make everything they do illegal

[@tovanto3971]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6jXi6WQhdGkrpY

[@drummilein]

There are still a lot of homeless people in Germany. Our system isn't working for everyone. Yeah its better than the US, but it's still shit.

[@koenkoe7]

@@drummilein no system works for everyone. The goal of the system is to make it work for as many people as possible and the other cases require special attention and might even provide small fixes to the system if they learn from it.

[@rayperez6322]

facts

[@blackjacki2]

It's only in red states where they make everything they do illegal. In progressive cities like San Francisco, Portland, Seattle they spend a lot on homelessness and the homeless are free to camp wherever they want. Take a guess where the bigger homelessness problem exists.

[@duncanmchenry3349]

I just watched this sitting in a tent, in a very affluent county in Virginia..i have been homeless since the start of the pandemic.. I have a job making more than minimum wage and still can't even afford a room here.. I don't spend money on drugs..and still can barely afford food.. I can't afford to simply move somewhere less expensive..i don't have a job there.. Even a couple months of housing would probably allow me to get ahead of this problem.. Just time to take a deep breath, feel like a person again..just a little break is a some people need.. Thank you so much for shining a realistic light on this problem..its never going to get better until more people see it this way...

[@alicialapatra7416]

I've worked with persons experiencing homelessness for over 10 years now... thank you for shedding light on this very serious issue that affects us all.

[@codelicious6590]

"Your discomfort is enough to disqualify a person from the American Dream" wow, nail on the head.

[@timothymiddleton6651]

Says the person who bought a smart phone instead of buying 50 meals for the homeless.

[@codelicious6590]

@@timothymiddleton6651 Fallacious logic aside, me and my smartphone are far from being the cause of suffering.

[@avokevo5394]

@@codelicious6590 it goes without saying, but please disregard Timothy. Literally pure nonsense, so we’ll keep it moving. That woman really did nail it. We need to help give these folks a foundation to stand on. No pun intended.

[@timothymiddleton6651]

@@avokevo5394 I’m in awe of how good of a person you are.

[@avokevo5394]

@@timothymiddleton6651 thanks

[@ulfrmolette1043]

I remember in Florida when it was passed to make it illegal to feed the homeless, and a priest who refused to cooperate (he and his church regularly gave food services and donations on a frequent basis) was arrested. I'm not a Christian, but damn. This man was doing right.

[@ChineduOpara]

Christianity in the dUSA is a facade for domestic terrorism and pure hatred.

[@lackeyreader]

I remember that story. I felt such rage at those who thought that making it illegal to feed people was a good idea. Talk about the devil walking among us.

[@aoeu256]

Have a camera out and speak to people who defend that law...

[@XaadeTheBlade]

@@ChineduOpara So is humanitarianism. People are people. Whether they are religious or not, they will either act for good or for evil. Religion is not inherently anything. Notable atheists have advocated for genocide or racial superiority, and so on, list goes on.

[@cherachapin3826]

Unfortunately, its becoming illegal to feed homeless in many places. I was 16 working as a lifeguard and there was an elderly man well known for living outside the ballpark. Anyone going to a baseball game knew this man. He was in a broken down old wheel chair and had no legs. He never asked anyone for money. Instead he asked for food, which he often shared with other homeless individuals who were too ashamed even to "speak" to the people spending hundreds of dollars to see a baseball game. Everyday when I went on my lunch break, I used to go to Subway and pick up an extra sandwhich for him. He was really nice and interesting to talk to. Not creepy or anything like that. One day I was stopped by police because "feeding the homeless is illegal". When I asked them how could such a ridiculous law exist, they explained that often people will buy food of some sort and do something to it to make it dirty or even poisonous and that is why it is illegal. Honestly, that was the most horse 💩 I'd ever heard in my life, but sadly I can also see it being a thing. Infacr, not long ago there was a man in Missouri who was arrested because he was bragging to his friends that he 💩 in a sandwhich and fed it to a homeless person on a regular basis...gross. But I can't imagine the number of people doing that is so high that making it illegal to feed someone is justified. Afterall, you could come to my house and I could barbeque some meat and piss all over it and with all the sauce you might not even know. So I guess anyone eatting outside the home should be illegal? Or cooking a dinner for your date should be illegal cause who knows, they might put some date rape drugs or something. So wildly ridiculous

[@michalpitowsky]

When I visited the US a few years ago, and traveled the west coast, it just blew my mind how many homeless people are living like this, and frankly, made me rethink of the US as a first world country. Something about the economical structure is wrong when you let the sick and the weak rot to death on the side of your street every morning as if it is nothing. I say this not coming from a perfect place, every country has it's own crap going on, but man, the US has a deep problem.

[@vulcanhumor]

A huge part of our problem is our broken health care system. If you can't afford to go to the doctor, or you can't afford insurance, you're SOL. A lot of people become homeless due to medical debt, and it's extremely difficult to manage any health conditions while homeless. If you already can't afford your bills, how are you supposed to be able to afford medications, or therapy, or exams that could catch a disease in its early stages? And it feeds into itself, because homelessness itself can lead to health complications. But America just really hates taking care of people for some reason.

[@markk3453]

the US marketing machine is VERY VERY good about lying to people. so much so that they lied them into wars and agreeing to put trump as a leader. people want a easy way out to belive someone so they dont have to stop, think and question. meanwhile everything in usa is for money. people, land u know name it. watch some of the other video on this channel. USA has 1000 problems that are not being talked about. is it better then a 3rd world country? sure but not by too much.

[@NoraNekos7]

There's a reason some people call America a third world country

[@emilysmith2965]

Because it fucking is.

[@embedded_software]

America is a first world country with a world-class healthcare system. The problem is not in healthcare, but in health INSURANCE. Paying for that healthcare is harder here than in other countries, but the quality of care you receive (if you are insured) is generally pretty damn good.

[@karenlebeter4196]

My son & I lived in an old house (1940s) we rented for 15 years, in a neighborhood of 17 homes. Right before Covid shutdown, we were told the property under 17 homes had been sold and we had to move. I thought we would be living in our cars. His employer had shut their doors due to Covid but he was able to get a temp job in a nearby town. I am a disabled vet and get a pension. We looked everywhere for a place we could afford. Finally found something less than a thousand $ a month. It's an old mobile home. I drive 100 miles to go to the V.A. to see my Dr. and I am 70. My son drives 50miles to get to work. Our furnace broke, so we bought small space heaters. Now our older cars need more upkeep. I drive 30 miles to Safeway or Wal-Mart for fresh vegetables, when we have the money for gas. Lack of affordable housing & community gardens is the problem.

[@discon_csert]

Playing "It's raining tacos /in the street/ it's raining tacos /all you can eat" to someone hungry and homeless could be considered torture. I would want to cease to exist.

[@amberleighstorms126]

@@richardmaclean4519 ......I'm sorry, what?

[@lS-qp6zq]

Definitely evil.

[@frankielopezzamudio4127]

Yes its insane how systematically cruel humans can be but it's our task to make this world a better place before we leave it 👍

[@ioanbotez7128]

Exactly, it's in such bad taste it left me speechless. The lack of empathy is amazing, and likely linked to the division in US society.

[@MrTwenty20video]

@@frankielopezzamudio4127 ✌

[@CivilWarMan]

When I was a young child, I thought that we could solve homelessness and poverty by just giving homes to the homeless and money to the poor. As I grew up, I learned how the world was more complex than I realized as a child, and that problems like homelessness and poverty don't get solved in spite of our efforts to fix them. Then, as an adult, after learning about the preliminary successes of testing programs like Housing First and UBI, I realized that we could solve homelessness and poverty by just giving homes to the homeless and money to the poor.

[@rysler]

Heheh.

[@MaidMirawyn]

TL;DR: Just do the decent thing and help people. It works.

[@tylerpaulson6689]

Couldn't have said it better

[@Brian-tn4cd]

Turns out the simplest solution is sometimes the best (not that the USA will do anything about it, not really conducive to capitalism's whole thing)

[@spongeintheshoe]

@@Brian-tn4cd And sometimes the complicated part is getting people to do it.

[@KurtvonLaven0]

This is the only reporting I can ever remember willingly rewatching. Flawless coverage of an issue so frequently misunderstood.

[@cindyjmoss7525]

It’s sobering to think how many people delude themselves into thinking they are a couple weeks from being a billionaire and not a couple weeks from being homeless. It informs their viewpoints.

[@emilysmith2965]

“Temporarily embarrassed millionaires” need to wake up

[@Simon-nw9bf]

That's interesting, because if I lost my job tomorrow I'd find a new one the next day like a normal person. I wouldn't shrug my shoulders and give up on life to smoke rock in the street and throw garbage at random people walking past. Ask yourself, these homeless - why do they not have any friends or family willing to shelter them? Or even any of the thousands of highly paid policy makers who have made entire careers out of claiming to care for their well-being? Why don't any of them house the homeless?

[@TheNinthGenerarion]

@@Simon-nw9bfyou can guarantee for a fact that you’d only be jobless for 24 hours? What industry do you work in? For pretty much every job I’ve had there has been at least a week long interview process, some even going for months. As for politicians not giving out excess beds, that would be a temporary and inadequate fix at best, what we need is dedicated housing for homeless people but enough rich politicians don’t want to do that meaning we’re stuck with a fixable problem that will only continue to get worse until we actually start helping and save money in the process.

[@Gaywatch]

​@Simon-nw9bf Ever consider that their family and friends are also strapped for cash and resources? Or even if someone has a couch, they have an attitude like yours and refuse to help on 'principle' and 'not until the person helps themselves' or 'just go to a shwlter it's not that bad.' Having a connection to an open bed or couch like that is luck, pure and simple.

[@GEM4sta]

@@Simon-nw9bf Yeah, I saw someone else write this 'you're closer to homeless than a millionaire', absolutely not, lol. Most Americans are closer to being millionaires for sure. Billionaire, sure that's pretty rare.

[@Dreska_]

'Get these homeless off our streets!' 'Ok, we'll build accomodation & services in the area' 'Not in my backyard!' People like that don't want to see the less-fortunate given opportunities, they just don't want to see them at all.

[@far2ez539]

Would be great if people would stop making choices that lead to homelessness. John showed a bunch of people. Know what they largely had in common? Even moreso than skin color or location? Kids. Like that woman who was working as an aide in a mental health shelter (obviously not a high-paying career) and had a stay-at-home husband and was rising two kids, one with autism. Yeah, no shit that you can't afford a life for four people on such a job. I make deep six figures but I won't even buy a dog because it's too much of a potential financial burden. I have health insurance but I injured my back gravely last year and chose not to go to the hospital because I was convinced they wouldn't do anything for me other than toss me some painkillers and a $3k ambulance bill. And I could trivially afford a $3k ambulance bill, but I didn't want to pay it. I'm only ~30, but I've got over $300k saved for retirement. I pre-qualify for a mortgage decently into the 7 figures, but looked at houses with prices no higher than $230k. Being homeless isn't a choice, but people who are homeless often made a SERIES of choices to reach that point. It's like chess: nobody willingly moves their king into a situation where they can be checkmated, but if you are about to get checkmated you definitely made a lot of fucking bad moves earlier on that led to this scenario. Just because your come-uppance from your bad decisions on turns 10-20 isn't coming until turn 40 doesn't mean that you aren't responsible.

[@BRM2X]

@@far2ez539 It's mere human nature. Not everyone can be Light Yagami, it shouldn't be the standard of survival.

[@bryaneverett9850]

Pretty typical for a Democrat. They are only generous with other people’s resources.

[@BRM2X]

@@bryaneverett9850 Yes.

[@justinmadrid8712]

Why don't you adopt a homeless person then Mr. righteous? Seriously. Go find a homeless person and let them live with you for a while.

[@SSenderling]

My wife and I were homeless and addicted to meth and heroin for 5+ years. Then we finally got a housing voucher through Boulder Housing Partners in Colorado in jan 2019 with this same exact housing first model. Now on Christmas of 2021 we have had our apartment for almost 3 whole years! I'm working. We have 2 vehicles and our drivers licenses (something I had never had until now). We have been sober for 2+ years and my wife's 2 daughters (my step daughters) just moved in on the 6th permanently and we just had our first Christmas as a real family. The housing first model absolutely works! Especially if you want to better your situation. I do understand from being on the streets for so long that some people just aren't ready to start healing yet but one of the main reasons for that is because your still experiencing hardship on a daily basis. Once that is eliminated (as much as it can be) it can give people the motivation and hope and resources they need to want to get better.

[@johnryan5133]

I'm so sorry to hear what you went through mate but I'm glad things are looking up for you and wish you and your family all the best for the future.

[@janycebrown4071]

Keep up the good work 👏 👍 💪 👌

[@SSenderling]

@@janycebrown4071 thank you I certainly will!

[@SSenderling]

@@johnryan5133 thank you! The housing first model seriously saved our lives. I really hope that it gets more support and funding in more states. I'm in Colorado and here there is lots of support and resources for the homeless population but I know that's not the case in a lot of other states and it's just sad that they don't understand that people really can't grow and better themselves when they are not in a safe and stable environment.

[@Iwannaps5]

This made me teary eyed, it’s so amazing that you are your wife were able to come from rock bottom to now living a better life with a loving family. Keep it up!

[@meowmix6081]

I literally almost choked to death laughing at the grandparents in bed bit. Totally worth it. I've been homeless so yeah you're right about everything, but I'm waiting to hear more about Charlie's twisted grandparents.

[@Ashley-cv8bd]

I asked my mother once why so many charities would come into our building looking for donations, when so many of us barely survived on a pay check. She told me because those little are more likely to help because they know what it's like to be without.

[@karinagutierrez7134]

As someone who has worked with those experiencing homelessness, I want to point out that experiencing homelessness in itself can create mental illness. Everyone goes through trauma differently, but constantly being in a fight or flight state because you don’t have your basic needs met changes your neuropathways and can lead to illnesses such as PTSD and anxiety.

[@HonestlyYrTrippin]

It can also lead to "Brief Traumatic Psychosis" Literal hallucinations induced just by stress.

[@ashleygarcia7608]

I feel you. I also work with homeless transitional age youth and all their stressors add up and it’s difficult for them to find housing

[@stevenkaz28]

Never thought of that. EXCELLENT point.

[@anontheshade]

This. There are many root causes of homelessness, but it's mental illness and addiction that keeps then there. We should focus funding on treatment, and not government assisted housing in over priced cities.

[@xuto2693]

Having been homeless I can attest to this. The unimaginable stress, no safety, no relaxation, no peace, no rest, no recovery. It's trauma inducing. Psychosis inducing. It breaks you mentally. Truly breaks you. And that just makes getting out even harder, if you even can.

[@TheWiseAss]

I've been homeless for the better part of 10 years. In all those years, I've never taken a dump on a street, committed a crime (except failing to pay child support), or stolen anything. I smoke weed when I can get it, but do not drink or do any other drugs... I'm exhausted. Each season brings new challenges, whether it be the frigid cold of winter or the blistering heat of summer, and food is ALWAYS hard to come by. There are places that feed, but to be near those places you have to risk sleeping in very violent camps and alleys where even the housed will attack you for no reason. Everyone hates me without knowing anything about me. They scream at me, throw things at me...and I've done nothing to them except share their air space. For someone to say "he chose this life", I say this: Why the fuck would ANYONE want to be hated this much?

[@eshbena]

Not sure what to say except I'm sorry and I never thought homelessness was a 'choice'.

[@sunfeatherX3]

Dumbass question I’m sure, but where do you shit? Like, all bathrooms also have locks on them where you have to buy something to be allowed to shit. Street dumps cost nothing but dignity, and I’d assume dignity is harder to come by than food in some cases

[@saranghae2808]

💔💔💔 I hope things get better for you 🙏 Sending you love from South Africa ❤️

[@marcod5027]

So rough. It's incredible to me how so many people on the streets still find the strength to prevail, to keep on going with dignity. It humbles me often. I hope it helps to see that most hate you get is poorly translated fear from people who are afraid that they themselves could not deal with the harsh situations you have to deal with everyday. But hey, all I try to say is, keep up the good work brother, let's change this system into a fairer one!

[@malcolm2466]

If I may ask, how did you post this

[@user-sw1wq8lh2w]

Thanks for doing this story John. My friend was orphaned as a child, lost his life savings and home twice due to Katrina and Harvey. He died of conjestive heart failure in his encampment 2 weeks before I could get him housing via the nonprofit I was working with. RIP William. My other friend Drew was more fortunate (in a way), he had terminal cancer, but we did find him housing. I made half a dozen multiple mile long treks out to his encampment to help him get out of the encampment and into a hotel. We still had to deal with a hotel kicking him out and move him to another hotel until we could help him get transported to hospice.

[@TheOldHippiebilly]

This is one of John's best segments ever. I'd like to see a follow-up.

[@Overthought7]

"Far too often, stories focusing on homelessness are presented solely thru the lens of how it affects those with homes, when in reality it is obviously the people without them who need the real help." This is always my reaction to these stories, but he said it way better than I could have!

[@Wwetitanfan27]

so true

[@Enoch-Root]

It's easy for John Oliver to make jokes and virtue signal about this issue while getting paid large amounts of money, but he hasn't really provided a solution. Is he willing to have homeless people in his backyard?

[@lilyhammer6661]

Enoch Root it sure sounds like he is. Also he presented that Affordable Housing First and Rapid Rehousing are both effective programs.

[@bradfieldheiser7106]

@@lilyhammer6661 he presented? So what has he done individually in terms of his time and money? Did he donate the proceeds he made from this show to the homeless problem? No he pocketed the proceeds, hypocrite

[@Enoch-Root]

@@lilyhammer6661 He mentioned that giving houses to the homeless is cheaper, fine. But people are going to be angry if illegal immigrants are being given houses, especially if they get them instead of American citizens. The problem is either you can have open borders, but low taxes and very little in the way of social services. Or you can have closed borders and social services that can provide much more. Most people just aren't willing to have their taxes used to help people who have no legal right to live in their country. I'm not American by the way and never been there, the homeless problem in America is just shocking, and something that American media has for the most part hidden away from the rest of the world.

[@rowandownstream3539]

"But despite Tyra's best efforts homelessness is still a huge problem in this country"

[@bigcity2085]

In Boulder, CO., they made camping in the city illegal, which moved the homeless up into the foothills, where unfortunately , their camps started a few forest fires, plus the rich folk up there don't want the homeless living out in the woods. "Pushing them somewhere else" doesn't work.

[@MorboTheDiddlyDo]

@@bigcity2085 Look up George Carlin talking about NIMBYs (not in my back yard) and die a little when you realize its from the 90s and still VERY relevant.

[@Dong_Harvey]

@@bigcity2085 to the rich, homeless people are a sign that order still exists in the hierarchy they pay pigs to enforce

[@markbahouth2713]

@@Dong_Harvey no problem Mega maniac Bezos who owns the earth and desires the " HIGH Ground and does not want to be taxed will give free tickets to Mars to the homeless to experience any down side to Martian life. they must report to Bezos or he will abandon them to perpetual orbit in space debris.

[@Dong_Harvey]

@@markbahouth2713 Bezos is his own problem compounding geometrically upon the rest of humanity

[@nicholaswood821]

seeing that formerly homeless veteran man tell his story of walking around singing to himself comfortably brought actual tears to my eyes! to all the crew at last week tonight god bless you!

[@F1EvolutionEsports]

I have been homeless 3 times in my past it’s never easy . The hardest part is when people say get a job bump but don’t realize you can’t fill out a job application with no phone number or address for them to contact you for a interview and even if your phone does still have service and you get a interview you’re appearance and hygiene will keep you from moving past the interview process. It’s extremely easy to become homeless and extremely hard to get out of. Thank you for explaining this to people it’s a very big problem that definitely needs fixing #Johnoliverforpresident

[@reblade7704]

I love how outraged FOX is about the guy carrying a machete, while it's perfectly legal to openly walk around with a gun. I wonder which of the two is more dangerous. Oh sweet irony.

[@ILovePancakes24]

The machete for sure.

[@seandriscoll6612]

Pretty sure it’s legal to open carry machetes in Texas as well

[@krombopulos_michael]

If only he was carrying a harmless AR15, then there would be nothing to worry about.

[@smhdpt12]

@@scottplumer3668 Race baiter. It's comments like these that will lead to further distrust and separation among fellow humans. Great job!!

[@jameswhite5293]

The machete wasn't the complaint, threatening people with it was.

[@jakedunkin4728]

literally watching this behind a church wearing a rain coat in the middle of the night using shitty free wifi. Homeless people represent.

[@cocacola4blood365]

Been there. Hope you luck changes.

[@Ruby_Witch]

Be safe out there, I hope enough people see this episode that we can do something to help. The right way.

[@apuapustaja1958]

Sounds like your life isn't hard enough.

[@pleappleappleap]

Keep warm, brother.

[@Brightside117]

I hope things start to turn around, hopefully this gains more attention and traction and change can happen, stay safe out there

[@MrDeadpool09]

My heart goes out to all the homeless out there. I wish more people would think logically about this and have more compassion but I think that would force people to look at their wages and living situation and realize they’re about a stones throw away from homeless and that’s an uncomfortable thought.

[@andysmith5806]

I really agree that being homeless impacts your mental health. I had a mental breakdown that lead me to being homeless. Being alone for hours on end with nothing to do in a tent can send you a little loopy. I started having conversations with myself because at least it was someone to interact with.

[@damnthatwizard1463]

This one hit REALLY hard. I just got out of homelessness, living on my friends’ couch for about 5 months, then back in a toxic household. I got lucky in finding a place, with a LOT of help from outside groups (no organizations, just peers and friends) and I’m LUCKY. I HATE that this has to be said, but homeless people are fucking people too.

[@shaunaburton7136]

They are. I live in a town with a lot of homeless and the city is always pushing them around. The police call it pushing water.

[@lynnharris7119]

I'm happy you have a safe place, homelessness is not a choice & happens to good people, my god rent is so high it blows my mind, if you own then taxes are just as insane. Too much money wasted on bs, that could help many people. Blessings to you🤗

[@torturedsoul4397]

Yes we are all human but what happens when someone stops acting human because they're so drug addicted and dangerous?

[@user-yc8xw8bd5r]

@@torturedsoul4397 A lot of homeless people become drug addicted and dangerous because of the harsh conditions they're under. Boredom, hunger, anxiety, and sleeplessness will make the best of people turn to doing drugs, stealing, and whatever they have to to survive. They are still people. They need to be rehabilitated and healed from all that trauma, and they are still people.

[@taylorbastian9670]

I wish I could help people in situations like what you were more at my agency. Unfortunately, HUD thought you are not homeless. That really sucks and I'm sorry you had to deal with that.

[@ericaschmidt4506]

I find myself judging homeless people as lazy, especially since I see so many people begging in front of stores that have help wanted signs… but I never really thought about how hard it would be to get a job or even start to get of homelessness without a home, or address, much less with mental health problems on top. This was a good eye opener for me.

[@brycejordan8987]

Just to toss in. Imagine if every day you slept in a car or a tent and these were more prestigious choices over having to sleep on the ground of in a bench. Think about how people look at you. With guilt, embarrassment, disgust, and derision. They look at you more like vermin than people and often treat you accordingly. And where can you to use a restroom or address hygiene concerns? There are not that many public restrooms and so you have to be able to not get thrown out when going to the restroom. Everything is humiliating and strips away your humanity.

[@jdwinks40]

I have had this conversation over and over and over again, in person and through social media, and with both friends and strangers. I hear folks say, time and again, "Well I think instead of giving beggars money, we should just give them job applications to places hiring." Then I have to explain to them that most places won't actually hire a homeless person because they don't have access to a bathroom or laundry so they may smell bad. They also likely don't have nice enough clothing, reliable transportation, or even an alarm clock to help ensure arrival on time for work. So handing them a job application for a job they are 99.99% likely to not get is incredibly privileged and unhelpful even if it makes you feel like patting yourself on the back.

[@randymilam1965]

The most vulnerable segment of all society.

[@zephpekrul2760]

Thank you for having an open mind.

[@sandata]

thanks for keeping an open mind. its very easy for people to fall into preconceived notions if they havent experienced it themselves. the fact is no one wants to stay hungry, to stay unhoused or to go to sleep with your heart pounding in your chest because you don't know what could happen while you just want to rest. i hope you keep that compassion in your heart always.

[@youngwang97]

It's ironic that people don't want homeless on the streets, but push hard against any solutions to solve that exact issue

[@MonsterPrincessLala]

It's wild that people feel like people don't have a right to exist while being homeless but we still don't pay a living wage like anywhere. Proportional minimum wage should be $25.00 and we had to fight to get it to half the amount.

[@boink666]

I was homeless as a kid. I can say it wasn't a choice. It wasn't from addiction. I was lucky and got rehoused. Thanks John Oliver bringing this up. So many people live this horror in their lives, it doesn't have to be this way.

[@Chrisko1492]

And? You were clearly in the minority of homeless people. The majority are dangerous no-goods, with drug addictions and/or severe mental illnesses. This video only showed the good ones, like the guy who was singing without reason, or the woman with the letter. If those people lived near you in affordable housing, no one would have anything against that (well, except legit white-supremacists - so, republicans). BUT the truth is that the majority of this affordable housing will be savages, shitting on your lawn, harassing you and maybe even commit crimes like breaking into your house. Of course, those people weren‘t showed in this video. Can‘t destroy the narrative.

[@HarryBalzak]

How about your parents? What happened to them? Death, abandonment, drugs, or mental illness?

[@latch9781]

Glad to hear you got help Zack

[@solsystem1342]

@@HarryBalzak wow, definitely need to punish children for their parent's actions by making them grow up on the streets. Also, have you perhaps considered that people just legitimately can't afford their rent? I've worked with people who worked around 80 hours a week in order to make ends meet. What do they do if they have a medical emergency? Get a 4th part time job? What if they get injured and can't work? (For reference she did have two dependents one of which needed specialized medical care). Not everyone grew up with middle/upper class parents like us that could always afford the necessities.

[@boink666]

@@solsystem1342 It wasn't the fault of my parents either. Back in the 90's brain injuries weren't fully understood or treated. I along with my family experienced a violent car accident that caused my parents to lose their jobs/prospects/dreams/minds, the family dog to be throw from the car, and caused the whole family to be homeless and fucked up from a brain injury at the same time. It took years of healing to even get to a place close to "normal".

[@cynthiaclark6721]

The definition of pure evil is playing "It's raining tacos" in a park where homeless people who have no money to eat are just trying to sleep. I am sure they would love to have a taco or anything to eat.

[@deniseengle4269]

Thank you. That was my first thought. They play classical music in Portland OR to deter us. Thankfully I dont mind classical music.

[@Fire_of756]

I would not feel bad if they decided to eat those assholes.

[@chrisitinabobinski3798]

Cynthia thanks for being that up I would definitely rather go hungry than hear that song that’s is pure evil.

[@XxNoMErcY99xX]

@@dr-tse I know you didn't mean that in a bad way, but think about what you just said from a homeless' perspective...

[@avamasquerade]

*Sadism is the point* Idk when or if the general population will ever get over their blind naivete.

[@samrey1803]

I am struggling with homelessness. This segment is on point in every way it did raise the underlining issues. Appreciate from the bottom of my heart to the team and everyone else who can understand these issues to raise them as policy remedies in future that are very much a solution in this masterpiece as always behind the facade of stigma ❤️✌️

[@FizzleBurger]

That gag about Ellen aged way better than we could have expected.

[@daggerthedragon1582]

"It's raining tacos," is an absolutely vile song to play specifically to taunt hungry people... I almost cried, and was just as shocked that this fact was never mentioned.

[@danieldaniels7571]

If I was homeless, it wouldn’t hurt my feelings any. I love that song.

[@undefinederror40404]

@@danieldaniels7571 *If* you were homeless, I don't think there's much reason for you to comment that.. Because we have no idea what it's really like to be homeless (on the longterm).

[@davidrule1335]

If they played the Shags philosophy of the world, they would leave.

[@ZachariahShihab]

@@undefinederror40404 oh I thought you meant because he would have to have internet to comment. Its a harmless joke, get off your high horse, we all know this to be true. If your going to try and help the homeless defending their honor on a comment on youtube isn't the way lol

[@danieldaniels7571]

@@undefinederror40404 I’m 51. I’ve spent nearly 5 years of my life homeless.

[@kevgmor]

Thank you for this piece. I was chronically homeless since a teen, now 49 and housed for the past 2+ years through the VA; They've helped a great deal with my mental health care. Now I work as a peer/musician; performing at the shelters...it's wonderful!

[@ashleyshelley9774]

Happy for you! 💓❤️💕

[@lolopop12345]

The VA was actually beneficial?

[@01jbeals]

❤️

[@richardmaclean4519]

clorox yes thanks for the refi… You paid for it.

[@sweetums1634]

I just subscribed to you ! Keep it up, I Love it !!!

[@alikayneedscoffee3935]

I live in Clairemont (San Diego), am disabled, and would probably be homeless if I didn't have my parents' support. We are all struggling. I feel disappointed in my community; I don't know when that committee meeting but I am sad that I missed it and wasn't able to voice my opinion. We have so many homeless in this area that need help and kindness.

[@johanngomez4044]

I lost my job because my work permit expired and my Lawyers fucked me with my money and didn’t begin processing my renewal in time and I lost my job and home and am currently looking for any way of sustenance in LA. I was a fulltime student working fulltime when I suddenly lost everything. Still haven’t used a day in my life but everyday that goes on and I wonder why I cant have a home despite me wanting to work and study in the country I have resided on since I was 6 months old. Being treated as an outcast while doing nothing wrong but being born too far south has surely changed my perspective on homelessness.

[@johanngomez4044]

All i have left is my hope in people like John Oliver.

[@cordelia8031]

hey hope you’re doing better now man, that sounds fucking awful :(

[@toryhavoc3152]

I was homeless at 18 and would have been homeless many times since then if I did not have a support system of loving friends and family. I have no addictions, minimal health issues, and live in a relatively affordable place. I am educated, hard working, and never without a job or 2. Stability is ridiculously fragile and more than half the people I ever met struggling with homelessness have lost their stability due to something 100% out of their control. I hope this mentality catches traction. Be kind💙💚

[@sixfeetundertheradar6080]

With my mental health I can barely work, I have a part time job which I put ALL my energy and effort in but as soon as I clock out I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck and am exhausted and drained from a interaction. By the time I’m feeling better it’s time to clock in again. If it weren’t for my family I’d be homeless

[@TheDuality0fMan]

It shocks me how razor thin the line is between comfort and desolation. I'm lucky enough to currently enjoy relative comfort, and have for most of my life, but the nagging doom in the back of my mind, that I'm one problem, or fuck up, or even piece of bad luck, away from losing that is always there. Society was supposed to get better. Instead it just feels like it's getting worse. I'm glad you're doing well right now, and hope it lasts.

[@razz1166]

I think I read it in a Malcolm Gladwell book, but something like 80% of the unhoused were not homeless months ago and won’t be homeless a few months from how. There’s no room for error at the bottom of the socioeconomic ladder and no one can reliably survive no room for error for long. An efficient social safety net is an absolute necessity in an advanced society, which we claim to be.

[@toriless]

It used to be only half, now it is more.

[@kitcoffey7194]

EVERYONE DESERVES HOUSING.

[@1yellowbutterfly679]

I would also like to add that funding libraries can do some serious serious good for unhoused people. When my brother and I were living out of my van we would go to the libraries from the time they opened to the time they closed applying for jobs, charging our stuff, using the bathrooms, filling up on water, etc. Idk where I would be without the libraries and the people who helped us

[@MarcosIsABaritone]

This part!

[@brandonkohler9721]

Libraries are a cornerstone of our civilization in so, so many ways. Pay attention to who tries to defund them.

[@jprevatt]

Well, for a few hours a day. Not much more, or they suspect you of loitering...

[@1yellowbutterfly679]

@@jprevatt I don't know what the library rules are by you, but we were there from the time they opened to the time they closed every day for weeks on end and no one bothered us. And this was across about 5 different libraries, but 90% of our time was split between 2 depending on where we were able to park. Libraries are kind of built for loitering

[@duncanmchenry3349]

They should have homeless case managers at every library in America

[@QueenCaitiePie]

I must be one strong woman!!! My son is obsessed with this song and he makes me listen to it all day!!!

[@SjSOdJ]

I'm watching and rewatching a bunch of these. So good! Glad he's saying what some of us have been for *so long* !! Some of these things are basic common sense.

[@JessHart006]

I work at a convenience store down the block from a newly-designated homeless housing unit in a very liberal Seattle suburb. The residents all try to complain about the unhoused people without sounding judgmental or bigoted (I never let them get away with it). The unhoused folks, on the other hand, make a point of being courteous, friendly, and paying for their purchases even when they have very little money or I offer to let them have food or coffee for free. You need to treat people like people if you want them to get back on their feet.

[@krysti2]

Thankyou! Just someone smiling at you or saying Hi! goes a long way in making you feel human & not just a piece of trash that everyone would gladly make disappear (if they could) rather than just be polite & friendly- just treat ppl like you would like to be treated....

[@dingusdingus2152]

Homeless people are human beings? Who would have thought?

[@supplyanddistributions6418]

Thank you for doing that!

[@dustymccrusty8545]

Your gonna get fired for giving out free food n coffee and end up homeless and it'll be your choice due to your addiction of being nice to others which with then also be considered mental illness.

[@JessHart006]

@@dustymccrusty8545 Cool. You are very wise.

[@a.walters123]

How cruel to play “it’s raining tacos” to someone who is likely experiencing hunger pains, on top of nowhere to sleep.

[@OzyMandias13]

The correct terminology is actually "hunger pangs". In the medical profession, "pangs" are directly associated to discomfort caused by hunger.

[@ggcatbelladogantics2959]

@@OzyMandias13 gimme a break🙄

[@meatballhead15]

I thought the same thing =/

[@skoomakity8769]

Tormenting the poor is a great activity though! One of America's favorite pastimes z

[@OzyMandias13]

@@skoomakity8769 I'll stick with tormenting the ignorant. I'm not a classist.

[@frankiebelle]

I was made homeless by an ex in the summer of 2020. Thankfully I have friends who's couches I could crash on to help get back on my feet. It was scary to be suffering at the beginning of a pandemic with no defenses and find myself without a home. It can happen to anyone

[@tjevans3025]

We have all seen and heard about homelessness over the years, and in the years subsequent to this video it has become worse - criminalizing homelessness is nationwide. Ironically, and sadly, the cost of incarcerating them (in the already overcrowded county jails) cost Far more than providing basic shelter and even porta toilets. John is an incredible entertainer, and comedian, but at the end of the day he is the Best. Most Professional, Credible, Investigative Journalist - that sheds important insights that are ignored by the so called media. I am educated, and well read, but John delivered this well documented journalism, and it has greatly increased my understanding of this ongoing, and growing, humanitarian crisis.

[@warpossum2174]

In regards to the intersection of homelessness, mental illness, and addiction… two decades of EMT and law enforcement experience has shown me that mental illness and addiction occurs EVERYWHERE. On the streets, in the trailer parks, in the suburban bilevels, even in the big fancy McMansions. The big difference is who has adequate support networks and access to evidence-based therapies and treatment.

[@waywardgoddess7219]

I've worked in healthcare for 4yrs now and every patient I've had with mental illness has polysubsance abuse and 110% of the time are homeless. Breaks my heart because they have zero access to adequate healthcare and all they can do is self medicate. The most recent shattered my heart. Lost his wife 6mo ago and she was his world. His depression has destroyed him and he's homeless too. 😔 fk this world sometimes

[@malum9478]

exactly. it's the most obnoxious and ignorant argument "bUt wHAt If TheYre ViOleNT???" what if your next door neighbor's violent. what if your cousin's violent. what if YOU'RE violent--i don't know you! you could cut people up in their backyard for all i know! for every story of a homeless person being "violent" i can show you ten of a suburban wine mom who did some of the most horrific shit humanly possible. total bs from those people.

[@StacySalles55]

Really good point!

[@Champigne]

Well said. And just fyi to those who may not know, 12 step meetings are not evidence based.

[@jamiehoule1583]

And so much of how addictions are treated is dependent on whether they're seen as "acceptable" addictions. Like the "wine mom" who freely admits to needing alcohol every single day to cope with the stress of her life and it's seen as a fun or quirky personality trait, but any other person who admits (or hides) their need for alcohol as a mechanism of self-medication is an alcoholic and has a problem. Same thing really applies to things like marijuana vs valium. Marijuana as a calming agent is seen as bad/problematic, but somehow valium for the same reason is totally okay. The whole thing is full of double standards.

[@paulahik211]

"Homeless by choice." I was homeless once. In a way it was my choice. I either lived with a husband who, when I arrived home from work one day, he and his buddies had left 5 spoons of melted speed on the coffee table which my 2-year-old daughter was walking around or I lived in my car. I'm sorry. I took the car. That's probably the only reason my daughter is now 40 years old and not buried in a graveyard.

[@JT-xj1pg]

What's melted speed?

[@harrisonfnord5871]

@@JT-xj1pg Hard drugs. Cokain iirc

[@jeffn9952]

That's a really great thing you were doing, not only feeding people who were hungry, but giving them something to look forward to all day, and letting them know they had an ally in a cold world. I bet you were their favorite person ever.

[@anjelitamalik9763]

It's so good of you to bring this up and advocate for the homeless.

[@quinnwatson6060]

Don't forget, you have more in common with a homeless person than a CEO. Many of us are one or two bad circumstances away from living on the streets, even if we don't realize it or think so Also-- I had completely wiped all memories of "raining tacos" from my mind, I had completely forgotten that song and video existed until watching this episode. It filled me with an indescribable emotion something akin to nostalgia and rage

[@JT-xj1pg]

Raining tacos is a low key racist song

[@edelweiss8168]

Most people don't realize that a mental breakdown can happen to ANYONE. I had a wonderful, happy life when I was hit by a psychosis. Out of the blue. Thankfully, I had a loving family that took care of me. Not everyone has that. So they don't get treatment. They lose everything: job, home, car, friends, and often their so-called partners. And they end up on the street. If you think it can't happen to YOU, you're wrong.

[@NajxxTrebla]

God bless america

[@sengabrockerhoff5750]

Yep! Reality is we're in a capitalist system where we're all just 3 missed paycheck or 1 mental breakdown from homelessness.

[@michaelpara8582]

I'm always kind to the homeless because I'm acutely aware that in this country I'm only 1 or 2 bad choices or circumstances away from being right there with them.

[@FrayedSanity1981]

That is one of the things that I find so infuriating with your country. Almost no form of support system (that actually works). In Norway (where I live), you cannot end up homeless. (Well, you can, but it`s almost as if you need to make an effort to get there. Those that are, are usually people with severe drug issues, that have more or less given up on life. And even they have a bed and meal at local shelteres every night.) The support network is vast. No matter how hard you screw up, everybody deserves a second chance. Its sad to me that so many people are one step from endig up on the streets.

[@arielgaede3673]

Not even a bad choice, just 1 or 2 instances of bad luck can do it

[@havelock285]

@@FrayedSanity1981 there are so many social programs similar to what you’ve mentioned here in the US. There are government systems and independent charities/non-profits that help. In my small(tourist) town we have a homeless shelter that houses and feeds people and also helps them get jobs.

[@xzonia1]

Technically speaking, I've been homeless many times in my adult life but am fortunate to come from a large family, so I've always had a roof over my head (just not one I paid for). We would have so many more noticeably homeless people in the US if they didn't have family / friends take them in when something unfortunate happens to them. I really do wish the US would prioritize making home ownership an affordable option for all Americans. The way our country runs right now is ridiculous.

[@ianbattles7290]

@@arielgaede3673 Exactly, I'm one broken leg away from no income, which means no rent, which means no home.

[@Sakura-uo3qz]

I would imagine a fair portion of homeless people have suffered abuse as well. My father was abusive and stole all of my mums money so we couldnt move out and when we finally did we were homeless and had to access housing services. My dad had a job that paid fairly well, he just refused to pay for anything. People in abusive relationships or family situations can often end up homeless, either from their confidence and lives being ruined or because their money/property is literally stolen

[@RedBeardDaProphet]

As a homeless person watching this 2 years later, it is a shame that nothing was learned from it

[@SupremeVerdict]

When I was 19, almost 20, I was kicked out of my house by my parents. They were part of a religious cult and went onto my Facebook and saw that I was talking to a girl outside of the faith in an "inappropriate way". I continued to go to my full time college courses, worked as much as I could and managed to find couches to sleep on during the winter time in Northern NY. Fast forward 9 years during the covid pandemic, I'm working at FedEx and I am listening to the opinions of a Coworker about how all homeless people are on drugs and have psychological issues. I didn't do drugs, I was pretty depressed with the state of my life, but otherwise I didn't have psychological issues and had straight A's. I wanted to slap my coworker with the utmost swiftness.

[@thechosenone1533]

Did you tell her your story? People often feel comfortable talking about a stranger they know nothing about but when it's someone you know,they become more human. Unless you didn't feel comfortable sharing this for fear of being judged which I completely understand.

[@SupremeVerdict]

@@thechosenone1533 it was a him and I did. I told him that there are tons of people who are on the streets because of their parents or because of financial collapses.

[@thechosenone1533]

@@SupremeVerdict How did he take it? Did you change his mind?

[@SupremeVerdict]

@@thechosenone1533 not really. Still thinks they are mostly insane drug fiends.

[@thechosenone1533]

@@SupremeVerdict Eh what can you do.

[@mcbeezie]

i was homeless as a kid with drug addicted parents, nothing made me feel more alone. the hateful way people look at you. To this day, that time affects my life and decisions more than any other thing in my life growing up.

[@johannakalytera9574]

So sorry to read that. That's awful. I hope you're okay now. 🌺

[@mcbeezie]

@@johannakalytera9574 thank you, I am. but it really instilled that "if you're not first than you're last" mentality that capitalism is known for.

[@johannakalytera9574]

@@mcbeezie i'm glad to hear that. You are perfectly right... All in all, when we pull the thread, the source of the problem is almost always capitalism. Homelessness is the one undeniable fact that capitalism is not working anymore. I hope that the US as well as all capitalist countries see this through. I live in a middle sized city in France and I am just so sad to see more and more ppl on the streets. I feel very helpless and angry at the system. Buying food and hot beverages for them is not going to fix their situation. Sorry I'm ranting. This piece was the piece we all needed. Warm regards from France, where the sitch is similar... The pb is global.

[@mariee.5912]

Alexander, I worked with homeless families and before they came to us the children were mistreated. It was vere sad to hear that.

[@mcbeezie]

@@mariee.5912thankfully my family loved me so much it got them to go straight, sometimes the best thing about me being born I thnk.

[@larryjames8617]

Good show, John. I hope that you continue to advocate for the homeless by supporting housing for the homeless in YOUR neighborhood. That would be a great example.

[@birdielein9636]

I think the sad part about this is that providing homes is not as easy or as rosy as John Oliver is saying here. My hometown of Victoria BC, Canada turned handsprings to house the homeless during Covid- buying hotels to provide homes, giving out cell phones for the homeless, a ton of stuff. It was all well-meaning, and it was a disaster. Hotels got lit on fire, they turned into drug dens, and it really was non-stop criminality with people shooting up in the parkinglots. Just providing people with homes doesn't solve the problem. This is the same thing with the shelters and the rules. They have to have rules, or it is chaos. The city needs to put systems in place to provide security. There needs to be a structure. People need to want to change their lives, or the homes you provide them with will become scary places. There needs to be counseling to help people get off drugs. It doesn't start and end with homes. It's a much much bigger problem.

[@POBAllstar46]

So glad you touched on NIMBY policies. NIMBY policies and the zoning laws are such a huge part of the problem.

[@kai663]

Single family zoning is cancer

[@AUTISTICLYCAN]

Zoning laws only creates ghettos because people with money always can flee the poor making new protected spaces away from the very poor. When you lose middle class residents, the stores and services they need the process of disinvestment begins. The housing stock decays and soon you have "The Projects!" The "Projects" are anyplace where crime, hookers, dope addicts and all the attributes of poverty reign supreme. NIMBY's can afford to leave all that!

[@LowLight420]

Thousand Oaks priced me out, so I moved to Redding. Redding is pricing me out, AND they ordinanced section-8 out of the city proper. AND HUD purged it's waitlist, so all those vouchers will expire in 60 days because the industry is LYING about available properties.

[@holachristinita]

The NIMBYs in Austin aren't pearl-clutching wealthy white women. They're working-class Black and Latino families afraid of displacement. California tech bros have no shame in infiltrating their neighborhoods. I'm all for creating new housing for the transplants, but it's all in East Austin and Rainey Street, which is still feeling the effects of urban renewal.

[@alaly1027]

I wonder if a possible remedy to this is to put rehousing communities in multiple locations. So not just one community has to worry about "oh the crime", "oh our image", "oh our property value". Which those stereotypes are not rooted in absolutely nothing but no one can claim "no fair!" if multiple communities do their part.

[@phungdao4660]

"Far too often, stories focusing on homelessness are presented solely through the lens of how it affects those with homes when in reality it is obviously the people without them who need the real help." -- quite sobering. I've always felt a strong compassion towards the homeless community in our current houseless epidemic in Hawai'i and this sentence has made me realize that every policing policy or legislation proposal that has come out of our elected officials is literally to appease the loud homeowners and hardly anything to address the actual problem.

[@willythemailboy2]

Because a government who does not "appease" those homeowners won't be the government for very long. Any approach that ignores that obvious fact is going to fail.

[@overdose8329]

Taxpayers shouldn’t have to endure parks being turned into shitholes with shit, needles, urine, and severely mentally ill criminals. Also housing homeless people and providing all these services for free while lower class and lower middle class people suffer and have to pay for everything just squeezes the true middle class via taxes to pay for these people

[@nickandres7829]

@Overdose​ In Canada we pay higher taxes, have a much more robust welfare system, and our middle class gets by just fine. Social housing here isn't "free" except in extreme circumstances (ie housing for women fleeing domestic violence and the like), but it is subsidized by the government and by taxes. Social housing is always a better option than tent cities, and homeless people who get housing become much more employable and are very likely to reenter the work force.

[@JRCP144]

@@overdose8329 You don't want "them" befouling your public spaces but ALSO don't want to provide "them" any services. What's your solution? Just shoot the entire homeless population? I do notice that taxing the rich doesn't seem to be something you've thought of.

[@lubintasevski5985]

@@overdose8329 I can't help laugh at the irony of your user name and your statement. Clearly, you choose to be ignorant. What if you job was taken away, as your whole industry became obsolete? What if your child or spouse had a major accident, disease, or disability that cost you all your savings and home? What if you became homeless due to a successful scam/arson/natural disaster/identity theft/bad investments/etc? Are you ok knowing there's nothing to help you get back on your feet? Are you happy being looked at and treated as a criminal? If you think insurance will help you 100% of the time? They have lawyers not to help you, but to find ways to not help you? There are just too many ways for good people to get screwed over and yet you feel nothing should be done to help them as you assume they'll all become drug addicted criminals. Truly you are naïve. Parks don't have to be shitholes if social services were to be sufficient to address the needs of those disenfranchised. Also the "true middle class" is vanishing as the 1% eliminate your very existence through automation and devaluing your wages by firing those that have had wages increased for too long that they eliminate your job for someone that is willing to do it for less (except this doesn't happen in unions, but those are also becoming rare).

[@glenn6583]

Keep speaking the truth, Mr Oliver. We need it badly.

[@BunkerSquirrel]

I live across the street from a homeless encampment and they’re some of my better neighbors. They actually do a better job keeping their camp clean than our law keepers do most of the time. Now that I’ve said that, there’s this one dude who lives across the overpass who has scattered so much junk about it legit is starting to look like a landfill. Now i haven’t talked to any of these guys but I feel like there’s a reason this dude’s not in the camp with everyone else.

[@sarahuhlich6833]

I took a course in college where one of the assignments was a group homelessness simulation. We stayed in a nearby city over a weekend and were only allowed to bring the clothes on our back and a couple of other items we could carry on our persons. One of many of my takeaways from that weekend was simply how hard the very state of being homeless is - and we didn’t even have the full experience. We moved in groups for safety, we stayed in a pre-determined fenced-in area overnight, we had access to a port-a-potty, and we knew at the end of the weekend we had somewhere to go back to. We only had a taste, but I can tell you I don’t wish the real thing on anyone. People are mean. Your next meal may not be guaranteed. The weather is unpredictable. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. It’s hard to better your situation when you’re in survival mode.

[@GadgetMsGadget]

As someone who once was in the homeless cycle, I appreciate your comment on your experimental experience.

[@BrightBlueJim]

The access to toilets is the number one problem. Without that you become an outlaw in less than a day.

[@Krystalmyth]

A decent experiment but a weekend is a rave/concert at best. Also the situation during the work week changes things when Monday arrives. Society has no quarter for you in their hearts. They turn on the hoses for you then. Its fucked.

[@Ginlock45]

Most homeless people live in cars

[@aliseegenuine6414]

@@Ginlock45 really? Are the tents considered hotels? Where do they park their cars? I have slept in my car and it wasn’t comfortable at all. A friend stayed weekends by her mom’s hospital bedside. She couldn’t afford a motel room, slept in her vehicle & used fast food restaurant rest room to clean up to go back into hospital. She worked full time during the week. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do, but it shouldn’t have to be a regular thing. Especially for children. Rental properties have increased drastically. It isn’t logical to have an empty building because you want to charge higher rent. What hurts the homeless is the people who take advantage of the funds they have no necessity for. Such as a person who lives with his/her companion & gets Section 8 funds as a renter. It’s true, it happens. This crazy world is filled with liars and abusers.

[@bobbyewing311]

I honestly started crying when the guy started talking about randomly singing in his apartment because he is just so happy now. Like....... who could be against helping people like this?

[@dingusdingus2152]

Republicans

[@taylorbastian9670]

This is the goal for housing first. This does not happen all the time.

[@RelaxAndSmokeMeth]

me.

[@prestonnicodemus9336]

Very unhappy people...

[@samwindmill8264]

Super rich arseholes who whine about the idea of paying a reasonable tax

[@paulawilder8368]

How did you get to be this caring?

[@user-yd3jd2em8e]

great points made John ! Homeless people should NOT be criminalized! ❤ 🇨🇦

[@amila_]

I could never imagine hating on the homeless. Most of us are so close to homelessness and I don't understand how people can't realize it!!

[@toriless]

Much more now that covid-19 shutdown businesses, some forever.

[@Julia-lk8jn]

Agreed. I'm lucky to live in a country where it's pretty difficult to get rid of a tenant, and it's shocking to me how quickly that can be done in the US. Combine that with low wages, rising and yes, there are probably millions of US citizens who are living one accident, one expensive emergency room visit, one lay-off away from homelesness. I've read a quote years ago that US Americans have no sense of empathy with the poor because being poor is such a stigma that nobody considers themselves as "one of them", not even the poor themselves who rather view themselves as millionaires experiencing a bit of tough luck. It sounded over the top then. I wonder whether maybe the knowledge of being close to homelessness oneself get's repressed and turns into aggression against the people who remind you of that possibility.

[@BriannaBanana1]

@@Julia-lk8jn Speaking as an American, I'm guessing that that's exactly what happens in a lot of cases. At least on the more conservative side of things where being poor seems to get stigmatized as laziness.

[@darkriku12]

People aren't realizing that - as the middle class is deteriorating, wages are stagnating, and everything (especially housing) is getting more expensive - the middle class is functionally becoming poor and the poor are becoming homeless. You can have two jobs and still be homeless as rental properties are rejecting everyone they can and those jobs require completely irregular schedules. Then people complain the minimum wage jobs arent finding people.

[@darkriku12]

@PT and yet if you contribute to improving the lives of those homeless people, suddenly you have less homeless problems.

[@plagiats]

It is so incredibly cruel to blast "it's raining tacos in the streets" to tired hungry homeless PEOPLE

[@iloveplasticbottles]

Someone should go over and short the circuit of whichever speakers are playing that.

[@roostercogburn3272]

"Got any change?"

[@maxpower8549]

if there was a war, it would be a war crime to torture people

[@sarahoshea9603]

I thought it was strange he didn't address the fact that singing abt FOOD to ppl who were trying to sleep HUNGRY would be considered a war crime under the "No Torture" bit.

[@dipenb4u]

Love the way John Oliver brings awareness to important problems in our society that needs to be addressed and strategic approaches with carefully vetted directions to solve them🙏

[@autumnrichards9365]

I love you for this John Oliver