Why Don't We Just Open Up Empty Homes to Shelter the Homeless?

I have had people living in my dwellings for 30 years, and am looking to do it again. However, this isn’t a casual undertaking and must be considered with wisdom.

I allowed people live in my house after I knew them and their habits well. I didn’t just open up a house and let anyone stay there. There are some who live on the street who have a philosophy of damaging property, any property. And there are some who will steal. Let’s face it, there are bad people out there, and it requires wisdom and effort to discover who should be allowed in a house.

A single house can hold a number of people, but if they don’t get along then violence can occur. Or the house could be used as a place to sell or make illegal drugs. It wouldn’t help anyone if the house was condemned because of criminal activity.

Generally, a house to provide shelter for the homeless needs a manager who will uphold the desires of the owner and prevent criminal activity. This person or these persons will need to be paid. Insurance will have to be obtained.

To house people isn’t a light undertaking. Certainly not something we just want to open doors and offer freely. Many vacant homes are vacation spots or shelters for emergencies, and the owner will want to make sure that the home is in the same condition in which they left it.

To house people is an expesnive, somewhat risky undertaking. It isn’t for everyone. However, we need more people doing it than are, currently

Unethical Panhandling?

Question: 

Is it morally unethical to ask for money because you’re homeless, yet you have the money to afford rent and are too lazy to get a job?
Answer:

1. If a person claims to be homeless when looking for help but they are not, then that is lying and so unethical.
2. Panhandling while not homeless is ethical, as it is just a means for people to ask for support. I’ve seen fathers go on the street and hold signs asking for help for their electric bill. As long as people are honest.
3. If you want to hold a sign, but not tell your story, the sign can read, “Anything helps” and hold it proudly. Then you are asking, but not lying.
4. Flying a sign doesn’t make very much money. Maybe 30 dollars a day, if you have a good demographic. (women and people with animals receive more). Tough to pay rent on that.
5. Flying a sign isn’t easy. Emotionally, it’s as hard as a job, and if you want to pay rent with it, you’d have to do it every day. Frankly, getting a job is more lucrative and often less work, even temporary labor. Almost all people who fly a sign do so because they can’t get work, not because they’re lazy.