The Left Is Dead Wrong About What Homeless People Really Need

The issue of homelessness is on the rise in many cities across the United States. With a growing number of people sleeping rough, there has been an ongoing debate about how best to help those in need. However, the common belief that providing housing is the magic solution to end homelessness is simply untrue, as it ignores many crucial factors.

The advocates who push for the provision of housing fail to consider the reasons behind why many homeless people end up living on the streets. Studies show that at least three out of four people who experience homelessness suffer from untreated mental illness or drug and alcohol addiction, which often make them unemployable and burn their bridges with their families. Instead of treating these conditions, advocates prescribe housing as the first step to a cure.

In the past, people facing similar issues as the homeless were institutionalized in mental asylums. With the rise of psychiatric drugs and therapies, many are now able to function more effectively in society. However, evidence suggests that a considerable number of people with such conditions are still unable to cope with society’s demands, either due to a lack of treatment or non-compliance with prescribed treatments.

While about 600,000 Americans were homeless in 2022, nearly a quarter of a million of them were sleeping on the streets. The homeless frequently commit crimes such as theft, assault, and vandalism, repeatedly landing them in local jails. Instead of providing them with housing, advocacy groups should prioritize measures to treat mental illness, addiction, and alcoholism.

The approach of offering shelter to homeless people with no rules or expectations of treatment only exacerbates the problem. The Seattle metropolitan area spent over $1 billion annually to address homelessness by providing them with housing, which only increased addiction, crime, sex trafficking, and theft. Places that house more than a few dozen homeless people have faced a spike in criminal activity in surrounding neighborhoods. Furthermore, people who are attracted to a particular locality for their lifestyle bring many social problems along with them.

The Austin Experience

Austin, Texas, offers a perfect example of left-wing policies that made the homeless crisis worse. The city council defunded and disempowered the police while making the city more

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