The number of links/studies make it pretty notable that none of them actually presents evidence for enforcing anti-camping laws or clearing homeless encampments being effective policy
The only thing really evidence backed is that apparently that a solid chunk of voters like that kind of punishment to homeless people, but that shouldn’t be too much of a guide to mayors where it isn’t a real political threat
tallcoolbudweiser on
I think liberal urbanists need to confront an uncomfortable choice: Are public spaces meant to serve the majority of the public, or the most needy members thereof, to the detriment of everyone else?
If neoliberals want thriving urban centers we must accept the reality that few people want to ride the train or sit on a bench next to unhoused individuals. We also have to admit that isn’t out of bigotry, but that unhoused folks often suffer from mental health ailments, substance abuse issues, etc that make them, well, not enjoyable to be around.
If clearing encampments is inhumane and unhelpful, what can we do to help people get into homes and out of public spaces?
hypsignathus on
I’m concerned that encampments will pop up again in Seattle. I lived near a notably affected park when encampments were rampant through starting around 2019. We eventually moved to a different part of the city and then out (not entirely because of encampments/theft, but it didn’t help). It wasn’t “some tents” in the park. It was numerous, lots of trash and human refuse, needles, tents with incipient basements and “built in” staircases! (These were actually pretty cool to see pop up, but still inappropriate!)
It’s been really annoying to have people tell me I’m a conservative reactionary. I’ve totally heard similar things to that. I have a ton of compassion for the homeless–including the most visibly problematic homeless (drugs, crime, etc.). But public parks are really important to keep welcoming *for everyone*, especially if you want to promote dense housing development. We don’t allow people to live in parks. We should enforce those rules.
zZGDOGZz on
“We can’t overrule someone’s decision to decline shelter.” The apathy for encampments is far stronger than the political will to eliminate them. I feel like I see these posts on the sub fairly often but the median does not care nearly as much. This issue is typically framed as a leadership problem when the call is actually coming from inside the house. Everyone, in the aggregate, is more okay with this than people on this sub think or are willing to admit.
4 Comments
The number of links/studies make it pretty notable that none of them actually presents evidence for enforcing anti-camping laws or clearing homeless encampments being effective policy
The only thing really evidence backed is that apparently that a solid chunk of voters like that kind of punishment to homeless people, but that shouldn’t be too much of a guide to mayors where it isn’t a real political threat
I think liberal urbanists need to confront an uncomfortable choice: Are public spaces meant to serve the majority of the public, or the most needy members thereof, to the detriment of everyone else?
If neoliberals want thriving urban centers we must accept the reality that few people want to ride the train or sit on a bench next to unhoused individuals. We also have to admit that isn’t out of bigotry, but that unhoused folks often suffer from mental health ailments, substance abuse issues, etc that make them, well, not enjoyable to be around.
If clearing encampments is inhumane and unhelpful, what can we do to help people get into homes and out of public spaces?
I’m concerned that encampments will pop up again in Seattle. I lived near a notably affected park when encampments were rampant through starting around 2019. We eventually moved to a different part of the city and then out (not entirely because of encampments/theft, but it didn’t help). It wasn’t “some tents” in the park. It was numerous, lots of trash and human refuse, needles, tents with incipient basements and “built in” staircases! (These were actually pretty cool to see pop up, but still inappropriate!)
It’s been really annoying to have people tell me I’m a conservative reactionary. I’ve totally heard similar things to that. I have a ton of compassion for the homeless–including the most visibly problematic homeless (drugs, crime, etc.). But public parks are really important to keep welcoming *for everyone*, especially if you want to promote dense housing development. We don’t allow people to live in parks. We should enforce those rules.
“We can’t overrule someone’s decision to decline shelter.” The apathy for encampments is far stronger than the political will to eliminate them. I feel like I see these posts on the sub fairly often but the median does not care nearly as much. This issue is typically framed as a leadership problem when the call is actually coming from inside the house. Everyone, in the aggregate, is more okay with this than people on this sub think or are willing to admit.