Market Square

[jeffster]

There are no real solutions for this idea -- even if something just short of prison costs. The issue is that some simply can't be helped, no matter what you do. In the 'olden days', they'd be put into a sanitarium, but humans rights basically forbids that, even if it's the best solution for everyone involved (the public, the workers, the individual). Some people you just can't reach, so you get what we have here right now, which is the way the society wants it, well, it gets it, and I don't like it anymore than you guys.

Can't help those that either don't want to be helped, or at least follow some basic rules, including respect for others, which many have zero of.

I agree to the extent that it's true that not everyone wants help -- or at least not help on the terms that we are willing to provide it.

But I disagree with the implication (whether intentional or not) in your post that we cannot do better. For example, the Housing First approach has been highly successful in dramatically reducing homelessness in cities such as Edmonton and Helsinki. We might not be able to house 100% of the (current level of) homeless, but I don't see a 90% reduction (for example) as impossible.

My reference was that a 100% solution is not possible. I agree we need to do a lot more, what I am not sure of how much we could do and with what result. I am not even sure if 90% is possible.

I did read about on the Edmonton situation (there is still a lot of homelessness) but something struck me: try to keep people away from the courts (the criminal system) if possible. I feel that it is all too easy for one to receive a criminal record and then be behind the 8-ball, as it were, the rest of their lives, and basically in and out of jail (even if just for a few days).

Another change we'd need to see in this the Region is the City of Waterloo chipping in to solve the problem. It currently does zero to help people out and everything is left to Kitchener and Cambridge.

Something else I would like to see is more education for those still in school, to teach them about life. Almost nothing is taught in schools these days (though apparently this might be changing) but for the past 15 years or so, absolutely no focus on life skills. If kids are taught how to manage money, personal hygiene, and stuff like this, I really think homeless would be cut significantly. But as it stands, schools teach children nothing about day to day living.

If people were taught how to take care of themselves and their surroundings, then you'd have a lot more private landlords listing affordable rentals, as the risk is less. And the region itself could afford more housing.

Lots of things would should try....hopefully forward thinking people to implement.