So you think you understand homelessness | Marisa A. Zapata | TEDxSalem

[@nddavi58]

i was homeless for pretty much 2 years; from april 2021 to april 2023. living out of hotels, living out of my car for 7 weeks, living in a salvation army shelter. it wasnt due to an eviction or drug usage but rather not being able to afford an apt by myself.

[@mzhedda23]

Greedy People are the reason behind homelessness. Not because people are lazy, or do drugs, or even mental health... These are issues that can get help. People want more money...more money. Why can't you just be a decent person and charge a decent rate? Your money will multiply in the long run...If only....

[@whyistheworldcrazy8316]

Thank you I've been homeless for one year and it is very hard to climb out of the hole with a letter the hole gets deeper deeper and deeper I am so tired of feeling hopeless, I was renting a home and the landlord has increased the rent in the middle of a year and got away it

[@crowing2113]

Hold on there’s still hope! Jesus will help you, just ask Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and body. He loves you and will help you! Stay safe please! God bless

[@estreyfelion2190]

I was homeless for 4 years and my main problem was simply being accepted to a home based off my finances. Sometimes they just didn’t accept me and I continued sleeping outside until I got approved. I’m finally in a home but my homelessness experience is stuck with me and it hurts a little to still know at any moment it can come back

[@sashasilin3463]

You're going very well. Best of luck, stay positive

[@dcarr-kr7hk]

@estreyfelion2190... Yes..Being homeless for a while was hard. It was not the homeless situation (that was challenging) but the many homeless people I was around who just didn't care. (Not just about others but about themselves!) I'm no longer homeless but I have memories (not about my situation but of some of those who were around me) that cause me real pain sometimes. I also need to state that getting help from the government has been like a two edged sword. As challenging as not having my own place to live was, when you accept help from the government (taxpayers really) you become a part of a system that sometimes acts as though they owe you. Last year (review time) it was so stressful that I questioned if I were not better off when I was sleeping in my car. (Unseen. Those people who are not hidden? They are annoying as they try to take over public spaces. 😡) So, be careful what you ask for because you can lose your housing in a New York minute even if you are someone who does what is right. I feel your pain, know your fear, and hope you'll one day have peace.

[@Lastbadie]

This gives me hope as I'm in this very situation I've worked since I was 18. Rent slowly going up year after year im single so rent is a struggle no family to turn to, and I'm sober wtf is this system?

[@sab_1055]

It's frightening to know how easily it can happen. What hurts me more is how many people judge and blame out of ignorance. They believe if you do what you're supposed to do, you'll be safe and you must have done something wrong. That's simply not true.

[@SharlenesJourney]

😢😢😢 that’s my fear as well when I was a child my mom lost her house then we became homeless living in hotel we ended up getting apartment. Now I’m my older 20s I became homeless lost my job I’m in a shelter it’s crazy I’m so worried when I get my house that it could happen again 💔💔

[@nikmariealex]

Yikes some of these comments are very interesting bc a large amount of people being comment contrarians are only a handful of missed paychecks away from struggling themselves...

[@Christian-vc5qv]

What are you talking about?

[@really5453]

Crazy right?😅

[@O.....x-l7i]

Getting along with your roommates or boss is pretty important also.

[@marikishtar7062]

How many people have this lump sum to pay for housing?

[@sab_1055]

I paid my mortgage from a homeless shelter where I hid from a violent stalker.

[@meganreyes5111]

I was homeless at one point and time. It was my husband, myself, and my dog. We were all living in one car along with all of our backpacks and things we had. But my homelessness wasn't because of drugs, or that I had gotten evicted. Although, with absolutely $0 in our pockets, deciding to leave all the stress away at home, we traveled in a car across the US during a pandemic. I have to say the trip definitely wasn't easy. Being on the streets you'd have to deal with a variety of obstacles: finding changes of clothes, CLEAN socks were such an issue and sometimes you'd have to resort to stealing food... Altogether with not being able to shower up until you panhandled for enough money to get a night's stay at a cheap motel.. It was hard to keep up hygiene, and I myself like to keep very clean when I can. Luckily we weren't without a car, so we were mobile fortunately safer with the whip than out on the street. But having to sleep in a car brought along a whole other set of issues- police, nosy people, and crackheads all at once, so my advice to anyone sleeping in their car right now - park and rides are your best friend. Don't stay at Walmart parking lots. You could either get kicked out or encounter people trying to rob you. Also, try to always carry around pepper spray with you just in case. I remember my husband ended up finding a job up in Sacramento, CA at a restaurant. The employer was so understanding about the situation, but get ready for a rough patch of 2 weeks. Unfortunately we weren't able to keep the job. But to all employers - give the homeless a chance. And to all people who might encounter someone asking for spare change - Don't be afraid to give. It could really help someone out, and in most cases that money isn't going directly to drugs or alcohol if its someone who actually wants the help. I am now writing this in my own house with my husband and dog. I have never felt more proud to have my own little spot. But I never forget all those people who helped me get through living in my car. I hope if you are reading this and you are considered homeless, remember to stay strong and don't give in. God bless whoever is reading this, stay safe!

[@seanmatthewking]

This whole story is a bit confusing. These questions are sort of rhetorical, no need to answer anything if you don’t want, but these are things about your story which are confusing to me. You traveled across the country in a car why? If the stress you’re fleeing was in one town, why not just go to a different town, and try to figure out a stable situation? Did you prefer to live in your car and travel across the country? I mean, for some people they do this to satisfy a sense of adventure, but that’s not really how your story is framed. You weren’t evicted but had zero money...so presumably one or both of you had jobs to afford rent that you must have quit? Was leaving an emergency situation, and if not, why not figure out where you’re going and how you’ll make money before leaving and and ultimately having to panhandle? Were you avoiding work because fear of being exposed to the virus (which I definitely understand)? What happened with the Sacramento job? You say that most people panhandling aren’t going to use that money for alcohol or drugs, but I don’t know what you’re basing that on. Even your story makes it seem like a choice to be homeless. That’s not exactly the best advertisement for panhandlers. And maybe that’s because I’m misunderstanding the story, but I think you get my point. Anyway, I appreciate you sharing the story. I don’t mean to be critical or pry, but your story leaves a lot of questions unanswered, so I wanted to voice that.

[@meganreyes5111]

@@HollyWho-sh1dx How did you do it all without asking for money? In the time you couldn't work...

[@LynBrandonPodd]

You are an inspiration Megan. Thank you.

[@davidwadsworth8982]

You were not homeless, that car in which you and your husband DECIDED to live in aftetr QUITTING jobs and lived in on your fun road trip, WAS YOUR HOME!

[@jordanisland8481]

Yo one of the realist posts I ever seen. Super thankful it's possible to get out of. I'm still struggling because of my past and Addictions, such a terrible cycle. Edit: thankfully I am not homeless but I am struggling and it's terrifying to think about if I can't find an apartment or my lease ends bc I'm on social assistance still, what would/will happen to me if I can't figure out how to live like "normal people" in society.

[@christiansells220]

They could be more lenient about sleeping in vehicles at nature reserves/parks, etc parking lots. The other day I was at a nature conservation area parking lot, labeled on Google maps as 24hrs, which are difficult to find usually. Mind you, I work almost half a day from 3:30pm to 3 in the morning. So, sleep is prime necessity while living in a vehicle.. I woke up at 9 in the morning to a parks and recreation patrol (or whatever they're called. Excuse my ignorance), tapping on my window. I showed him the location on Google maps displaying its open 24hrs and lightly described my situation. He bluntly told me not for sleeping, and that I had to leave immediately. It's almost illegal to be homeless in a way. It wasnt my decision to be in the situation that im in.. I try to keep to myself, be moral and not break the rules, but along with feeling entirely degraded and physically/psychologically exhausted as it is, I almost feel like a criminal, until I reach the parking lot of my workplace.. Those of you that may be in a similar situation stay safe, keep cool/warm and keep on keeping on. This too shall pass🤜🤛🙏

[@nycjanedoe]

It is dehumanizing. _PEOPLE_ dehumanize. And on top of being psychologically and physiologically exhausted, women also contend with constantly being stalked and harassed by men.

[@CentralFloridaHomeless]

I am so sorry you are dealing with such ignorance and discrimination. Unfortunately, there are too many people like that park ranger these days. I'm hoping you can find some help through a local nonprofit or program. Usually it's the local United Way -- or try searching on "continuum of care lead agency" for your county or region. Wishing you the best!

[@CountJeffula]

Why should taxpayers be prohibited from fully enjoying local, state, and federal parks because people take up residence there? Have you seen the videos of Hollywood and LA? The park and rides in Milwaukee are unusable because they have turned into encampments. I don’t want that near me. And people living nearby shouldn’t be forced to experience it either.

[@cohen860]

@@CountJeffula Why should _anyone_ be deprived of a place to be safe and warm and rest one's head? You'd be surprised at how many who are homeless work [you just don't see them]. Jeez, man, try to learn something about this. You sound like such a victim because people who have less than you - almost always through little/no fault of their own - need some help. You are warm and comfortable. APPRECIATE IT. Not everyone is a lucky as you - and, believe it or not, homeless folks are mostly good, moral, people. You are not better than them.

[@CountJeffula]

@@cohen860 Your logic can be applied to anything. Why should anyone be deprived of a private jet or Disney? Because they didn’t pay for it. It’s very simple. The parks have to be mowed. The trees trimmed, the sewer lines periodically flushed, potholes filled, roads repaved. It all costs money. There is no, “they.” It is all us, people. People in these comments point to a government, “they”, who can wave a magic wand and just fix things. It’s not that simple. There are also always negative externalities and unforeseen consequences of seemingly good actions. Look into the history of employee sponsored healthcare’s origin after WWII. Some people want all the benefit without paying anything for it. How does that make me a victim? I’ve learned a lot about this. If private citizens want to take people in, they have the ability to.

[@joebloggs830]

I'm using the time spent "homeless" to heal, strengthen, appreciate. I know that when the time comes that I can walk through a door, close it behind me, and think that my surrounds are safe, I'll forever appreciate and remember how it felt to be completely displaced. For now, my car is my refuge, but it shouldn't have to be. I'm from Australia, and we're apparently the wealthiest adults per capita in the world, it's just many others are millionaires, and some are struggling.

[@SharlenesJourney]

How are you now ? Wow and yeah I can’t wait to finally close my door and just breathe the protection of being in my home

[@arlo9010]

This needs to be seen by more people. What a professional individual, love what she has to say.

[@le4561]

I feel like this video highlighted a very important problem associated with the cause of homelessness but I would like to acknowledge that the issue is very complex with a variety of socio-economic factors that contribute to the situation. The solution of providing a home will not work every time for the person experiencing homelessness and because of those nuances, there should be a variety of programs offered to help people from different walks of life. Those programs could include not only housing but education, support groups, mental health support, finance classes, job help, rehabilitation, and provide ways to find affordable homes afterward. Every person has a different story so applying the same rules could have ineffective results. I appreciate Dr. Zapata's reference back to the historical origins of homelessness in the United States and relating it back to the modern-day system that we live by. It shows how flawed our foundation is for providing some of the basic needs that people in this country, which is something we can change. I think it's important to understand past mistakes so that way we can change the future for the better. This video is a great start to spread awareness of the problem, and perhaps a basic answer to go about solving it but we can incorporate much more solutions to better fit the people experiencing their own unique situation of homelessness.

[@MRiitta]

When you start doing something by thinking that there are too many problems you end up by doing nothing.

[@Iggy-su2zu]

Homelessness raises important questions about social justice, human dignity, and the right to health. Homelessness is a social determinant of health that can have serious physical and mental health consequences, as well as prevent individuals from accessing healthcare and other essential services. To address homelessness from a medical ethics standpoint, we must prioritize policies and programs that promote social justice, protect human dignity, and ensure access to healthcare for all individuals, regardless of their housing status. Some potential solutions to homelessness include: Providing affordable housing: Lack of affordable housing is a major driver of homelessness. By investing in affordable housing and rent subsidies, we can help individuals and families maintain stable housing and prevent homelessness. Addressing income inequality: Income inequality is closely linked to homelessness, as low wages and unemployment can make it difficult for individuals to afford housing. Implementing policies that promote living wages, access to education and training, and job creation can help reduce income inequality and prevent homelessness. Providing comprehensive healthcare: Access to healthcare is crucial for addressing the physical and mental health needs of individuals experiencing homelessness. Providing comprehensive healthcare services, including mental health and addiction treatment, can help improve health outcomes and reduce homelessness. Promoting social support: Social isolation and lack of support can exacerbate homelessness and health issues. Implementing programs that provide social support, such as peer mentoring and community engagement, can help individuals experiencing homelessness regain a sense of community and connection. In conclusion, Marisa's talk on understanding homelessness highlights the importance of addressing homelessness from a medical ethics standpoint. By prioritizing social justice, human dignity, and access to healthcare, we can work towards ending homelessness and promoting health and well-being for all individuals.

[@dcarr-kr7hk]

@Iggy-su2zu... "Homelessness raises important questions about social justice, human dignity, and the right to health." No. It doesn't. Signed, A Once Homeless Person

[@MegaSnail1]

Based on my research, it appears that the number one reason for homelessness is lack of a family support system and of course affordable housing. This is why when tiny home villages are created for homeless folks, the stability and sense of community they offer helps the newly housed residents move forward in their lives. Let's build more tiny home villages!

[@JoshuaDarius-bm7nc]

And our worlds keep getting smaller and smaller, but at least we have 'stability'.

[@milkncookie]

Ted talk name: White Suburbia, Stay at home Wife virtue signals about Idealistic solution for Homelessness. Ma'am, I appreciate your insight from the safety of your gated community. Now go ahead and move to an actual location with homelessness. Your mindset will change quite fast. It's not as simple as just giving someone a home.

[@agentorange20]

Some heavy fact boom right there. Same token liberal white lady uttered ‘ya’ll’ like she’s from the South or something, maybe a dozen times. Not cultural appropriation when they do it. Liberals love to assert complex issues are solved so easily by just wish washy theory backed by endless slush funds. Living in a constant deluded state where feelings over facts begs the question, why aren’t hippy dippy liberals taking all the homeless into their own homes?

[@AliveBoldTV]

I cannot deal with the fact that this only has 52k views- whew lawd!

[@mr12aT]

“A human being is part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few person’s nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.” - Albert Einstein

[@tfustudios]

I'm in the midst of trying a build a small house on a plot of land in Northern California. I'm learning how expensive and cumbersome this will be, and not just in regards to raw materials ( we're currently looking at costs of $500 a square foot!!). The laws, rules and permitting in place will likely result in at least 24 months of waiting before shovels touch dirt. THAT is why it is expensive to build housing in California. Until we dismantle this apparatus of bureaucracy, nothing will change.

[@DD-ms4zr]

It's not a coincidence that when you search for housing regulations and homelessness only like one article comes up about this, and 1000s pop up about building more homeless shelters and letting people camp in from of people's stores. Idk why but this problem being intentionally agitated.

[@nycjanedoe]

Bloody agree. The zoning and building laws are made to drive market values up, and in doing so they prevent people from building small and sustainable. It pisses me off.

[@shannonnicollechannel5884]

I spent a year completely homeless .. in a large city .. up here in the north, where -40 is common during the winter .. I've been living in a small one room apartment now for about 3 months .. I feel so misplaced .. lost .. it's like living in some strange kind of limbo .. Living on the streets changes everything .. even if you escape .. it .. changes .. everything

[@melgibson3287]

It sure does. It's scary how it changes your 🧠

[@World36599]

Same effect as a soldier coming home. They can't adjust. I was homeless for 5 years. Many many nights the cold nearly claimed my life. You have to fight to save your own life. And the loneliness during those cold nights and family holidays is soul crushing, no food, barely alive. The hardest was Christmas. All the family eating and laughing while you're there in the cold playing make believe, pretending you're home with everyone, eating and laughing. Till you realise there is no food in your hand and there is no one around. So you just bang up and forget about everything. I'm home now, and I feel like going back outside. They're not my people anymore, they take everything for granted and their problems are laughable.

[@melgibson3287]

Hey, Hope you are doing well Shannon. Remember to stay strong. I was homeless for over 3 years. And still renting a room from someone. I just bought my first car in my life. And I'm pretty old lol. Keep your head up.

[@isidoreaerys8745]

@@World36599 yeah I think I relate to the last paragraph the most. Because I’m homeless but I still am expected to go to family events on holidays and everyone just pretends like I don’t live in my car for the past 3 years. :(

[@RassleBock]

Experienced it growing up - it truly does leave a lasting impact on you. I'm glad to hear you made it out and hope life treats you well 💜

[@ClassWarVeteran]

If homelessness and loneliness didn’t already want to make you off yourself, people’s views of homeless people and law enforcement will. Thankfully, I made it out but it’s always one missed pay check away.

[@judyberes8655]

How about taxing those developers that put all those people on the streets? Put the taxes right into the permits they need to buy to remodel those affordable apartments into luxury condos.

[@GenXican84]

Strong positive family structures are important resources not only social adaptation but also things like....health insurance..

[@Shanny-p2y]

It's not a matter of who deserves a home, it's a matter of decency and a better and healthier and smoother running society and a better world !

[@philmarsh7723]

Thanks for this talk! I think that perfect is the enemy of good. In the USA, we expect people to have either "acceptable" housing or no housing at all.

[@cohen860]

Love that you talk about the mortgage interest deduction!

[@cohen860]

@@leoWorldBestGamer If the "market" could take care of housing supply it would have done so years ago.

[@seanmatthewking]

@@cohen860 There are many city restrictions to building. Developments have to get approved by the city, and many types of building are flatly illegal. I don’t think the market solves all housing problems. New housing would bring down the price of housing, and that would encourage more people to move to that city, which would limit how much prices came down. But in the end, you’re never going to get prices so low that everyone can afford them, so assistance is always required.

[@Bozemancurtis]

She acts like that's the government giving out money. What a false perspective. It simply lets the government take less of the money a home owner EARNED. It's the homeowner's money.

[@condor7810]

@Curtis Johnson: Not exactly. The mortgage interest deduction allows homeowners to reduce their taxable income by the "interest" paid of their mortgage. They didn't "earn" that money...the bank lent it to them. A renter gets no similar tax benefit for rent paid. I agree the government is not "giving away" the money to these taxpayers but it is giving them a tax benefit that non-homeowners do not get.

[@billm5435]

@@condor7810 LOL, it doesnt compare to the interest you pay to the bank, which the non homeowners don't. Goodness it pales in comparison to the weak tax credit you get.

[@junebennett978]

This is so interesting. Thank You for helping me understand!

[@ARasputinaFan]

Not only housing, but provide education and accountability around finances and keeping up a home. Many homeless I meet through outreach programs have little to no capability to manage their own money and that is how they lost their homes: both rented and owned/inherited. Also, if it weren't illegal to live in homes with no utilities and/or did not meet strict building codes then more people would have "a roof" over their heads. Not everyone needs/wants a home with indoor plumbing and air conditioning.

[@seanmatthewking]

I’m sorry but who doesn’t want indoor plumbing? You have to go to the bathroom somewhere, seems like indoor plumbing is a very minimal societal standard. If someone can’t afford a place with indoor plumbing, there needs to be another solution, not just having some cheaper places without plumbing. And AC is definitely not necessary for all people everywhere. I live in California and have never had air conditioning. and while sometimes it’s a bit uncomfortable in summer, it’s never been an issue. But older people people and people with certain health issues are more at risk for heat. And some climates are can be much more unforgiving than California. AC is required for survival for some people in some places. And while I don’t think it should be universally required, we should try to have it for people who need it.

[@ARasputinaFan]

@@seanmatthewking You answered your own question: "societal" standards. While some people may truly benefit from AC and indoor plumbing not everyone may, including where I live where the springs, summers, and even early fall are 100 or higher with high humidity. Also, I should have specified "on grid" and paying utilities for indoor plumbing... Where I live it is illegal to live in an off-grid home, collect rain water, etc. They want you to pay for something you may not need/be chained to them/dependent. Meanwhile, some people are still living in the Appalachian mountains just fine without all of it. Heck, my grandmother's house still only had an outhouse until 25 years ago, when the city made her get indoor plumbing!

[@dzumwalt72]

Lol, not everyone wants indoor plumbing?….You used a taboo word that is not allowed in the housing first program and that is “accountability”…… There is no such thing in this housing model and that’s why it’s a failure at best!!

[@nycjanedoe]

@@dzumwalt72Thank you for saying this. Anyone using that word has no understanding of the root issues.

[@Lastbadie]

​@@seanmatthewkingwhat? I'm homeless and I've always worked full time I would gladly take a place to sleep regardless if it has electricity or plumbing it'll Def help

[@susanarsoniadou3588]

There is lots of land. You can drive in Texas for days and not see anyone.

[@really5453]

What if no vehicle?

[@taraclarke6850]

Am a Canadian hairstylist who’s been intimately conversing with folks and gleaning their opinions for 45yrs. I can sadly confirm that not only do we have the same problems and dynamics here, there’s also a very consistent painful truth around the historical privilege they don’t recognize they’ve had.😞 The commentaries I hear most often from “middle class” folks in my chair allow me to come to one conclusion; “middle class” folks NEED homeless people to “look down on” to support their personal narratives around how they are the only ones that are functional, have met personal challenges, are hard working, kind and good etc. and it breaks my heart the very same way every time because most of them ARE good people they’re just WAY outta touch having been given unearned privilege from the start so finding solutions simply allude them, well .. aside from the idea of institutionalizing those without homes. 😞😞😞

[@CountJeffula]

I cut my own hair, don’t eat out, and saved to buy a home. Some people just don’t want it enough I have come to realize or don’t think creatively or are addicted or coaxed into helplessness. We have to teach people to fish, not give them the fish. The aid organizations and employees are the worst.

[@taraclarke6850]

@@CountJeffula I mentioned that I’m a hairstylist for context around the intimacy of conversation .. you cutting your own hair isn’t relevant🤷‍♀️

[@wesalvey]

As someone that lives in Portland. This is just sooo Portland. Supposed empathy sandwiched around “ideas” that don’t actually solve anything…

[@JaxAug]

Most of these policies have been tried and don't work. Eminent Domain is only used for public infrastructure, of which housing for people who don't pay taxes is not. Your acknowledgement that people disagree with you ("it's drugs and mental illness") doesn't mean that you refuted them (in this case, they are correct).

[@ruurtdevries6]

We feel it's a discrace, that 90% of all the money available for housing, goes to wealthy people!!?? I ask myself why they do this. It's a crime against human nature!!!!

[@greenghost6416]

Well seeing as they provide housing for people and take all the risks in providing it.

[@M13x13M]

The crimes here is people that don’t abide by the laws of civilization. A citizen should provide for himself and contribute to society. I was not born with a silver soon in my mouth like yourself. If I quit work and sat on the beach all day I would be homeless in short order.

[@orlandoalsbrooks3319]

100k is not wealthy

[@sirspongadoodle]

Capitalism that’s why. It’s solely built off of making a certain group of people own more than others..

[@jacqslabz]

@@orlandoalsbrooks3319 It's 4x what I make. And I make a double min wage. Seems pretty wealthy from where I stand.

[@francesbernard2445]

I love the humor in this video. The joke about aps reminds me of the look of surprise on a persons face in a counselling office when I admitted when asked told that I already knew anything about how algorythms automatic choose KZbin channels for us. Why in the world she brought up the subject I will never know since I am not being educated in A.I. while seeking emotional support as an older student.

[@World36599]

If you've never lived it don't ever speak about it.

[@johnnyreigh7988]

What

[@DD-ms4zr]

Appeal to bums fallacy

[@ryanwarman9805]

Mental health needs addressed before we can house someone safely and successfully.

[@dcarr-kr7hk]

@ryanwarman9805... And drugs and alcohol. It isn't all mental health issues.

[@Demille40]

Someone needs to feel safe in a home first before they can have their mental health needs treated. You can’t treat mental illness while you’re living on the streets. The streets will drive anyone crazy.

[@phineascampbell3103]

How can anyone living outside with no safety or rest ever take on let alone succeed with tackling mental health issues? I'd say a person needs housing first

[@sharofjonkhayrullayev9796]

Thank you for information about homelessness.

[@tileyahjudkins22]

*Pre-Video Comment* - I thought I understood homelessness✋. I really want to help the people in my neighborhood. I just can’t imagine going days without food & water. Not to mention not having a place to lay your head. *Post-Video Comment* -

[@dcarr-kr7hk]

@tileyahjudkins22... I was homeless and never met one person (ever) who went without food and water for days. 🤔

[@tonyescobar4501]

I think if we step back and ask ourselves who do we see working the most and give those people their taxes to buy more homes and let them have a say on development instead of giving it to the people who don't work.

[@piecartbox]

Get rid of city councils etc. Build housing at any scale that makes sense.

[@JH-vm2rh]

She's amazing. Thank you!

[@witwisniewski2280]

Two underlying wealth issues: Our socio-economic system is based on exclusion. Wealth is multiplicative in our society. It takes wealth to gain wealth. We are simply playing a game of Monopoly with real lives. It's a game that is designed to enrich a few, and impoverish the rest. Our system is designed to be inequitable on purpose. Who designed it?

[@MN8]

Doesn’t matter who started it, it persists because it is considered virtuous to have discretionary income

[@hhwippedcream]

Just want to put this out there but pay attention to pet barriers. You cant get shelter benefit if you have a dog - even if that dog has been a very real part of your home, protecting and comforting you. They arent alloweed in many of our systeme. Its time to make this all much more approachable.

[@kentheengineer592]

a full functioning home has taken 15 minutes to build utilities included & yes they are legal the process of getting those resources takes 2 hrs NEXT

[@ธีระยุทธพุ่มขจร]

Homelessness are nature and pure and so wise more than you ever imagine

[@World36599]

You have a kind heart.

[@eyreinsect7461]

I agree friend

[@invisiblegirl28]

You'd know.

[@harrissimo]

Love this woman. She gets it.

[@hesselpijnaker2002]

Oh my god I was so shocked by her talking about the Netherlands as an example. Because it used to be, but what she doesn't know is that in 2011 all rules regarding landlords were scrapped, paying taxes on rent and taxes on buying houses was also scrapped. Also social housing (wich is this type of cheap rent house what she is talking about) got Privatized and these now companies sold almost all of the houses. These days the Netherlands has a huge housing crisis with an insane amount of homelessness, also Amsterdam is the most expensive city of europe now. Not Paris, not London, but Amsterdam..

[@Doomzdayxx]

this is such a simplistic view of the problem. She is bypassing the source of the problem completely, which we all know is addiction and/or mental illness. Giving these people "free houses!" is not going to solve the problem. Gimme a break.

[@christopherscheiber1439]

As a formerly homeless person who never drank or did dope, let me say that the money addicted gentrifiers are also a cause as well. The rents could be ten to twenty grand a month yet that still would not be enough to satisfy their addiction to money. I guess some addictions are more acceptable than others.

[@MN8]

You don’t need a break, homeless people need a break-we’re not all shiftless beggars

[@really5453]

Statistics indicate 30 percent

[@dcarr-kr7hk]

@Doomzdayxx... So many people bypass the real (and most common) issue(s) that, at this point, most of what they say is just grandstanding. Been there. (Without a safe place to sleep.) Done that. (Been homeless.) Gone to "how can we aid the homeless" community meetings. (Even when I was homeless. They didn't know. What a incredible waste of time!) People are so painfully idealistic as they forego the whole issue of personal responsibility (when it comes to most, though not all, homeless individuals). 😞

[@calligman2844]

Thank you

[@tammy-v1c]

That's why we have to help the homeless people so if it happens to your one paycheck away of becoming homelessness.if it happens to you how would you get back on your feet think about it.

[@jstead22]

Housing First programs demonstrate strong rates of short-term housing retention, they do not improve symptoms related to drug addiction, mental illness, and general well-being-and have not reduced overall rates of homelessness. Homelessness has increased. What could be an alternative to housing first?

[@melindasaddler559]

You are 💯 percent right

[@dominicdalton4346]

I dont know. I cant speak for poeple who dont have the ability to help themselves but for someone like me who lives on the street and has to take showers with two gallons of water everyday so i dont look and smell like a bum when i show up to work make $16 a hour and have $3000 in the bank but dont meet the requirements to rent because i dont make enough money. I ask you is there a solution for me?

[@homelessintoronto]

@@dominicdalton4346 I hope you are doing okay. I am homeless for 12+ years and it is super tough out here. Stay strong. God bless you.

[@dcarr-kr7hk]

@jstead22... How about personal accountability and/or special hospitals. They are autonomous human beings who only are not interested in being so when they are cold, hungry, etc. The desire to be autonomous should also include the right to personal suffering but we are all over the place on these issues.

[@dcarr-kr7hk]

@dominicdalton4346... I traded my time and had places to lay my head. Sometimes you can be the person who stays with an elderly person at night (just to sleep or if there is a medical emergency). I was there from 10 p.m. - 7:00 a.m. (I was not the caregiver. Only a presence in the house at night!) Provided the family has a good system in place (life alert, caregivers during the other hours, 2 nights off a week for you), and the person isn't sick (elderly and sick are not the same thing), it can work. You end up with a room (with no other household utility costs) and they end up saving hundreds of dollars to pay an overnight caregiver who would be sleeping anyway (although they should be staying awake). It can work. When I first did it, my client (who became my friend) was 99 years old. I hope you find something and become a part of a special community. Sincerely.

[@0oohnegative]

Is she not going to talk about the influx of ppl moving TO Cali, Portland and Seattle because of the lax drug laws and ability to use openly? This is happening. People are moving from out of state to come here because we have created a perfect place for them. Mild weather, open drug use and ability to camp anywhere.

[@christopherscheiber1439]

And rents that will soon be ten grand a month!

[@dcarr-kr7hk]

@0oohnegative... No. She won't. That would make too much sense.

[@williamgodin1110]

Two thumbs up

[@whimsicalhamster88]

I’m a homeowner and the mortgage interest tax deduction has to go. All of that money should be used by the government to build homes for those who need them. The landlords need more competition, clearly.

[@billm5435]

That is not how mortgages work.... Goodness...

[@Polksalad615]

Please tell this to Christopher James Thulin in Paul's Valley OK! He was lucky that he was supported and still had his health! He is proud of his hard work but he looks down on others, after he was rescued!

[@ruurtdevries6]

Yes I agree completely, housing must be available for everyone!!!

[@agentorange20]

Always the same, same people preaching the pie in the sky and public virtue grandstanding are never the ones actually walking the walk. Take the homeless into your houses. Nothing is stopping you there. You fund the project to ‘save the homeless’ one liberal home at a time. When you realize the errors of trying to implement it in practice let me know how it’s going.

[@wyomins]

You will never be able to solve homelessness. Mental health is probably the biggest issue with drugs and alcohol tied right in to that, plus those that want to be homeless. Most would rather stay an addict than get the help required to get off the street. Those that don't want to be homeless work their buts off and get off the streets. There are ten comments on here of people just like that. Also the definition of homelessness has changed. If you are a kid that ran away (and are living with friends in their home) you are homeless. Sometimes if you live in a trailer at a campsite you can also be homeless, even if it is your choice.

[@nycjanedoe]

@@agentorange20When we've done it and actually seen it fail, then you can talk about how it doesn't work. Until then, that's conjecture.

[@Lastbadie]

​@@agentorange20 see this would work for people like me who aren't addicted to drugs but instead struggling to make rent I'm single and it's hard out here especially if you don't have parents

[@JosephBeaver-b5l]

I'm houseless now I'm 45 in calia ..It's not that easy ..God was homeless it always been here look at the cave men..hi no homes ..U will never understand a homeless person's life once..If u never were..Never forgot we were all together.....

[@douglaspartello7775]

Housing First is a failing policy. They cannot be "just left alone". They need to be healed, and functional to sustain whatever housing they are provided. They need oversight, and guidance to be successfully autonomous. Putting folks up in motel rooms is not a solution. Placing folks into housing that just gets destroyed, or misused is not a working solution. There needs to be a transitional approach that brings many of these folks to the doorstep of a "Housing First" domicile.

[@melindasaddler559]

You are 💯 percent right

[@dcarr-kr7hk]

@douglaspartello7775... I tried to tell them that when they implemented that silly policy in the country in which I live. No one listens...

[@christopherscheiber1439]

Do the money addicted gentrifiers have a time frame for when rents will be ten to twenty grand a month? And will that be enough to satisfy their addiction to money?

[@elainegoad9777]

Now our Supreme Court has criminalized homelessness.

[@KRobinson-ko1ne]

Great So maybe they’ll provide housing and rental assistance as well as safe clean shelters I mean if it’s illegal to be homeless such a state would HAVE to be by choice then…right? Right?………right?

[@TobyFloof]

​@@KRobinson-ko1neNo that's not what's happening

[@KRobinson-ko1ne]

It still disturbs me to no end how we create homeless folk and punish them for being such

[@MrInflnzr]

Start with transitional housing then long-term look into prefabricated houses. There's a process to this.

[@glorialovesChrist]

I think philanthropy does a better and faster job of buying and building housing for homeless. Like the Getty family is doing. ❤

[@planetwalker798]

at this point repurposing vacant or poorly used sites/buildings would be a quicker start to relieving the situation. Can’t be “business as usual any more! If cities keep building these mixed projects (with yet more franchises- yawn), that few can afford, hypocritically you’re doing NOTHING. I’m so tired of the hypocrisy...

[@truehope287]

All I can find from Getty are grants for art. Can you help me find the people you are talking about?

[@eliseolopez6504]

I understand homelessness it begins with the spirit which you don't understand

[@Christian-vc5qv]

In the first 2 min she just described every conversation I've ever had about it. Someone who's pissed off and blames everything in society on them . I just think it's sad , those people are so broken and deserve a little empathy. I think it would be hard on a normal person. I have no answers. But don't be so horrible

[@dcarr-kr7hk]

@Christian-vc5qv... Unless you've lived the life of a homeless person (and maintained a sense of personal pride) you have absolutely no idea of the amount of empathy those broken people are given. 😔 Where I live they are given so much empathy that they are given the highest priority when it comes -- not only to housing but a plethora of other services. So please. It isn't anything like what you expressed. (Certainly not in the area of California in which I live.)

[@wildarahmawati8937]

This is what confuse me so much.. why the price of house there is very very expensive? House is a basic human needs, why they don't make it more affordable? I mean, i live in indonesia and here we can rent a room for a cheap price, depending on which city you live. But if you work, you should be able to pay the rent and feed yourself. Getting job here is not so difficult, as long as you are honest and hard working.

[@contecrayononpaper]

Those with the power (money) to create Housing First or affordable housing cannot be bothered.

[@homelessintoronto]

Strong point

[@dcarr-kr7hk]

@contecrayononpaper... Yes. They can and they are where I live. But it's a waste of money (as California cannot, this week, account for over six billion dollars of funds that were to be utilized for homelessness). All in all? A whole lot of you have no idea what you are talking about.

[@dcarr-kr7hk]

@homelessintoronto... Foolish point not based on what's really going on.

[@SaturnsSnack]

I worry that USA sets up places like Portland for failure by not providing funding in other regions. Regions with services get quickly inundated and then blamed for the national homelessness crisis.

[@bobbullethalf]

Whatever happened to boarding houses and communes? We have to have something where people can transition out of their family homes for a couple of years and then purchase a home later. You just can't move out of your parents' house and start paying $2,000 a month for a one-bedroom.

[@melindasaddler559]

It was the "great society" programs that began in 60s and were run by people like this that created this.

[@blehahhh3071]

Her points significantly simplify a complex issue that doesn’t have a single solution. It’s like trying to cure cancer when, in reality, cancer is a million unique diseases with their own unique cures. Principles apply, but the disease is not universally curable. Not to mention she’s acting like an incoherent ideologue for 50% of her speech. I applaud the effort towards trying to solve the problem, but she has a square peg going into a round hole.

[@Boofus90]

Her entire talks acknowledges that there’s a multitude of factors, simply that the fundamental issue is lack of housing. Not having a stable home is the reason why issues like addiction or crime become an issue. Providing housing is an effect way of reducing these effects.

[@thisgirlisoverit]

i love people in the comments who spread information about how she didn’t do enough , when in reality they’re probably not lifting a finger to help underprivileged in the community 😅

[@franksalot114]

Well, this aged terribly.

[@davidthedolphin5583]

How

[@ericherman5413]

I am sad that we're still arguing in comment sections 4 years after this presentation was first released. As someone who works with the homeless and formerly homeless, I don't understand how anyone can think helping people get housed is a bad thing.

[@CountJeffula]

People win the lottery and end up penniless. Giving away homes won’t and hasn’t helped anything. A few perhaps, yes, as this is population level statistics, but some will continue down their desolate spiral unless tremendous resources are continually expended to keep it up. I have friends whose neighbor inherited a house and has done nothing to maintain it and let it fall into ruin while refusing help and being rude. I bet you $100 this happens more than people selling up and escaping the cycle. the project homes in Milwaukee decimate surrounding home value and nobody I've talked to who lives in these communities feels its even a community. They hate living there and cant escape because they are trapped by the assistance and unable to move elsewhere.

[@drkarenbukharibukhari9931]

Govtdhouldshouldgivemorehomescheaphomes

[@michaelvanhorn3271]

She fails to recognize that the homeless are individuals... and the entire social services industry, which is what it has become, is based on not discriminating... everyone gets the same resources. So the system needs mental health as much as about 15% of the homeless. You have healthy people, the mentally ill, drug addicts, and the disabled and elderly all getting lumped together as homeless. Want to remove about 1/2 of the homeless overnight. Provide the elderly and disabled enough income so they are not choosing to eat rather than living indoors as less than $1000 a month that is the real choice. The truly mentally ill need to be institutionalized for their and society's safety. The kid aging out of foster care needs structure and job skills while they become self sufficient, instead of "your 18yo now" and dump them on the streets. No one solution is going to work. Everything from building codes to policing has to change. And immigration needs to stop until we have no homeless. Importing people into a housing crisis is pure insanity. When many of them will soon become homeless as well.

[@TobyFloof]

I don't believe we should put any mentally ill people anywhere against their will until we as a society fully understand what mental health issues are. Because it's a huuuuge spectrum. Even the people who look like they're completely crazy can and have been able to get help to have their own apartment and they were perfectly fine. They has therapists and a case manager but i mean who doesn't need a little extra help from time to time.

[@dcarr-kr7hk]

@michaelvanhorn3271... I agree. When I was homeless I told them that they needed to divide the people group wise and not lump them all together. Some homeless actually are serious any having a home, living in community and getting back on their feet. Mixing them all together only aids in bringing homelessness to the entire lot (if the individuals are not careful).

[@pablorobles1277]

Giving someone a home while enabling destructive behavior without conditions solves NOTHING. A society can only survive and flourish when the individuals within it are productive. Some are more productive than others so the level of success will vary according to the effort and skill of each individual. There are requirements and conditions that affect us in everything we do as well as consequences for our failures. We learn or fall behind. We follow rules and steps that allow us to grow or we ignore the rules and live beyond our means or outside the norms allowing irresponsibility and chaos to define us. Indeed we even excuse bad behavior and enable it in the guise of empathy. We should help those whose efforts in trying to do the right things are not enough and celebrate every small success in the process. Helping those who have fallen without conditions only enables destructive behavior. There must be incentives and requirements of progress. Those receiving help should have “skin in the game” and know that the help is there if they want to get better. Anything less is doomed to failure. Remember…the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Education, faith, skill, wellness and relationships all have conditions and requirements that must be met and consequences for failures.

[@reymartinez496]

You can only understand if you are in that situation

[@rhkrossman1827]

Homelessness is not a home problem; it’s an accumulation of just about all the social problems. Stop attacking people who are home owners with a mortgage.

[@huriking7234]

Don't you think people like those(which might include you)grab any estate they find just to lend it and EARN while having a another stable job.Instead if every owner with mortgage sells their extra houses the market would again be open and house prices would go down. INSTEAD they(might include yourself)just don't care about society and only care for personal gains which mean nothing in long term

[@xianixiir3091]

The home owners are either part of the solution or a part of tge problem.

[@sylvialupehernandez9154]

@@xianixiir3091 Home sellers, and Landlords, and property developers, are loan sharks, and GREEDY! It's a bad market for a buyer and a renter.

[@invaderzim6904]

You gotta understand how people can abuse what you’re so scared to lose

[@Polksalad615]

Homeless shelters are usually dangerous!

[@bucklaw]

@ In Chicago one tent City. It started off as one. American Exceptionalism.

[@smde1]

smde1 0 seconds ago The recipe for homelessness is : Have less than $1500.00 in the bank. Lose your job (for any reason) . Take more than 1 month to find work. Boom! You are homeless.

[@AUTISTICLYCAN]

Other recipes for homelessness you omit. Become a dope addict, become a crack head, become an alcoholic, drop out of school, have a baby or 10 before you can earn enough money to properly care for yourself. Adopt a weird or rebellious lifestyle complete with demands that force your parents to kick you out of their house. Enter a life of crime get a record that severely reduces your employ-ability for jobs that pay a living wage. Become a dead beat dad. Ruin your credit. Rack up a plethora of evictions for non-payment of rent. Oh and by the way most truly poor people have no bank account. It's all high fee check cashing, pay day loans and other types of financial exploitation of the poor.

[@smde1]

@@AUTISTICLYCAN I was going for the population of highest risk - and the recipe includes practically 45% of the US population - and now that they are firing people for not being vaccinated - you see where I am headed - but of course - you don;t care about freedom ... only punishing those who break the"rules" whatever the rules may be and whoever may impose them .... How German/Orwellian of you !

[@AUTISTICLYCAN]

@@smde1 Ahh you would rather we have the democratic solution. Give everyone everything. Let dope addicts shoot up in the streets. Let dope addicts infest and destroy public spaces. Walking through streets loaded with with used syringes. Crazy people running amok in the streets. Yes taking all the mental patients out of the hospitals gave them the freedom to be abused, hungry and homeless on the streets. You too have a cold mean German streak to you. At least I am not alone!

[@knot4nuntaylor660]

Imminent domain (government takes property) Mortgage interest tax deduction

[@karimalameddine5092]

Funny the title of the talk predicates we do not understand homelessnes when the speaker mises a central point, lack of family support. Housing is not just a money issue, it is also a family problem issue amongst other things...

[@sylvialupehernandez9154]

Not all of us get along with our family!

[@karimalameddine5092]

@@sylvialupehernandez9154 For sure. I totally get that. Still stands however, that family breakdowns and the lack of family support is a major contributor to homelessness, etc...

[@johnnyreigh7988]

@@karimalameddine5092 Can you cite a source please?

[@Games-tx1zc]

Do you know what the solution to that problem is? More, and cheaper housing.

[@eternalangel666]

@@sylvialupehernandez9154 yeah but at the end of the day if you were beaten by your boyfriend and then hit by a van would they be there for you or would you end up homeless and nearly dead like me

[@DonnySanders-n5u]

Im homeless right now. 48yo. 3 years ago people were inspired by me cause i worked so hard and i gre a million and a half a year buisness for a decade. It started with a kiss. Then love then lies. She kept her home i lost everything. Since christmas eve ive been homeless in Austin Tx. I never imagined.

[@dtothemtothea]

All the root problems she talks about are true and real…. over a hundred years ago.

[@tomevans4402]

Comments are interesting. Peace and love all

[@danielflynn8530]

Profit over people, we need to think small instead of fancy, my mother lived in a small ranch house and it was very cozy and nice, in Connecticut they are developing large housing communities for houses over 500k dollar housing! We could build premade housing units plot more housing because that development is probably building 30 houses right now but If it were houses that were smaller and less expensive it would fit over 100 houses then more families of diverse income could live.

[@deannaspencer8988]

All Stores 100,000 Please Lower the price of all Brands of Military Equipment and Local for All Brands of Homelessness Products and Production Cost Now 100,000 That's Too Much $$ 100,000 Now The Whole World Now 100,000 🙏 🙏 🙏

[@salmanokour7906]

Wasted 20 mins

[@holoceph3916]

“Is this going to interrupt the 5 air bnbs I own in my neighborhood?” Lol

[@happyhippytarot5248]

Can anyone tell me how i can legally use this content for reposting and using for creating content. This will really help me to make my point.

[@rabbitcreative]

> Can anyone tell me how i can legally use this content for reposting and using for creating content. This will really help me to make my point. Just do it. Make small clips of it and intersperse with your own content. If someone screams at you to take it down, deal with it then. There are no rules.

[@kristint.4562]

In some cases, the problem is indeed the lack of a home. But in many others, being without a home is a symptom of a problem, not the problem itself. A symptom of addiction. A symptom of mental illness. A symptom, in some cases, of simply not wanting to have any responsibilities, play by any rules, or have any conditions imposed on you. Simply giving everyone homes and not solving the underlying problems is not going to fix anything at all.

[@kherevmikiel2486]

Conditions imposed?? What if those conditions are unjust and based on social stigma??

[@kherevmikiel2486]

Most people treat the homeless as less than human and expect them to tolerate and be quiet about the abuse and exploitation of them as homeless individuals

[@kherevmikiel2486]

Many people expect the homeless to always live in fear and beg and never stand up for themselves and pander to everyone else and the list goes on and on

[@kherevmikiel2486]

You make a lot of assumptions and generalizations, like most people

[@jcorey333]

I really missed how "we had slavery" means "homelessness is racism", there didn't seem to be much logical coherence there.

[@glensonturner3395]

Hi can you elaborate on this question?

[@lilianagomez7415]

I would ask you to clarify your question but I would suggest you look up vagrancy laws after abolition.

[@bascal133]

After slavery free slaves had nothing, capital N nothing, and there was a system of laws that criminalized them without explicitly mentioning race by going after them based on their circumstances such as loitering laws, laws against men without jobs etc.

[@Eyevanna12]

Look up redlining and the FHA’s history of denying people of color loans to buy homes. People of color were denied the opportunity to build generational wealth through homeownership up until 1968.

[@bishop5400]

Making sure everyone has a place to live in is something they haven't really tried yet, at least not that I have seen the governments can give 22 billion to fund someone else's foreign war but we can't help n provide for our own???

[@kenneth7610]

Truth

[@renzomatic]

The solution is large scale soviet style apartment buildings. Those are always wonderful places. Always have the best curtains.

[@AUTISTICLYCAN]

Also have you never noticed the wall paper in the Khrushchyovka apartment buildings. It's to die for. If you gave every poor person an apartment in Beverly Hills today the rich would ALL move out before the first poor persons moving truck entered the area. Before you know it a concentration of poor people will live there. Drug dealers will live there to supply the habits of drug and booze addicted poor. The problem is Ghettofication is the process that happens the minute middle class and rich people move out which by definition concentrates a formerly nice areas poverty. Economic mobility of the rich when confronted by the poor causes dis-investment leading to areas becoming high poverty zones.

[@sinebar]

Would still be better than a tent or nothing at all. just saying.....

[@Inquisitor2024]

The only people who can understand homelessness it's the homeless

[@architectMd]

Under the topic , “So you think you understand homelessness”! Great Marisa A Zapat speech puts forward one of the most needed consciousness and awareness to all lame type of Government who have all their lives spent on every other fictional aspects than the most important constructive subject matter as “Housing not just of rich but poor and most needy” as their birth right before the age of puberty. If all governments in the world focus as this being their prime concern the world would be free from all the evils, diseases and crimes in the world. Primarily every government is accountable to achieve this goal else they have no business to be in any seat of power, whatsoever. This is the most prime qualification of any government to come, be and last in power. The architectural institutions must focus on to assist as their prime duties in every way as party to the Governments to achieve this set goal forever to be participating, competing and targeting these noble goal well qualified . There can be no two thoughts about it, else they be failing too for which they too be set accountable. God Almighty Bless!

[@brooksrichardbrown]

I would be happy to give up my mortgage interest deduction IF I knew the money was going to helping people more needy than myself be housed. However, if it just vanished or was used to offset tax cuts for people wealthier than myself, no thanks.

[@josephalmond3759]

Outlaw poor choices. Homelessness permanently solved.

[@us-unclesam6566]

* Ode to the Forgotten * I see the pearls, That are boys and girls. Left alone, By care Unknown. Passers -by see the Sky But not the Cries. Watchers see the Shame, But not the Pain. The Judgers scream. Get a Job The Broken Reply, Put one there, not Overseas Or leave us Be. Talk is cheap as are thee. Life moves on. For those cheated from Birth Others decide Who comes First In the End, We fill our veins, to kill the pain.

[@SaturnsSnack]

Housing won’t fix the gaps in mental health, health, and addiction for these people. After the asylums closed down, the government promised to make community options -they didn’t. The government needs to be held accountable.

[@denises3779]

Unless you've been homeless you can't speak on it

[@samwatson8108]

So true, and unless you speak five different languages you can't speak on it, and unless you've been to the moon you can't speak on it.

[@davidlovett879]

Have u ever been homeless

[@luisarroyo8111]

Homelessness is a complex issue which must have a portfolio of solutions attached to it. You can have a house, and still be homeless. Certainly, having a house is a temporary solution but there has to be a commitment to a " Personal Purpose" to change their lives long-term.