Think Homelessness Cant be Eradicated? These Communities Did ItBy Alex Pietrowski As communities, we pull together by donating to food banks and participating in homeless outreach programs, even though government regulations are putting limits onwhere and how we can help the homeless. (see: 90 Year Old Man Arrested for Feeding the Homeless). We are naturally inclined to want to help people in need, but most of us dont understand the economics of caring for the homeless. The Costs of Homelessness Often funded by government subsidies, charity organizations and sometimes private patrons, taking care of the homeless carries a significant price tag, once you add up the cost of running emergency shelters and transitional housing, collecting and distributing food and clothing, offering mental health, rehabilitation and employment assistance, etc. What do these costs amount to? Ted Clugston, Mayor of Medicine Hat a small town in Canada that has recently reached its goal of eliminating homelessness estimates that it costs up to $100,000 a year to support a person that lives on the street, versus about $20,000 a year that it would cost to house someone. Why is the cost of homelessness so high? In addition to the services listed above, Clugston found that homelessness also carries with it indirect costs such as increased emergency room visits and more interactions with the police. Click Here to listen to Mayor Ted Clugston explain the costs of homelessness in Medicine Hat. Simple and Economical Solutions Exist Although initially skeptical about ending homelessness in Medicine Hat, Clugston decided to keep true to the towns pledge to put an end to homelessness, which it achievedin 2009. With the help of funding from the providence of Alberta, the town put resources into building new homes. Today, no one spends more than 10 days in an emergency shelter or on the street. Clugston states, Ive come around to realize that this makes financial sense. This is the cheapest and the most humane way to treat people. Another example of a town where homelessness is no longer an issue is Marinaleda, Spain. Thanks to its olive farming cooperative and eccentric mayor, Juan Manuel Sanchez Gordillo, Marinaleda made global news because it has virtually no police, no crime or unemployment. This is quite a feat considering that the rate of unemployment in the providence of Andalusia stands at 37% (and a staggering 55% for younger people). What is Gordillos solution to homelessness? YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Sustainable Community Revolutionizes Housing for the Homeless Homelessness in the US Although the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) shows a slow decline in homelessness, the estimate of the homeless people in the US in 2013 is around 610,000. Other sources estimate this number to be up to 3 million. Similar to Medicine Hat, HUD has set some lofty goals: end chronic homelessness and homelessness among veterans by 2015; and end homelessness for families, youth and children by 2020. How do they plan to accomplish this? Will they follow a similar model as Medicine Hat and build more affordable public housing? HUD states little about their approach in their assessment report. Impact of Individualism and Income Inequality on Homelessness The solution to homelessness in a city filled with millions may not be as simple as in Medicine Hat with its 60,000+ residents or Marinaleda with its 2,700 residents. This brings up the question, if larger urban areas face societal problems that need to be addressed first, if homelessness is to diminish. Perhaps to answer this question, we can look at the most populated city in the world, Tokyo, with over 13 million people. Tokyo hasnt rid itself of homelessness, but it is relatively low when compared to other cities. Why the massive discrepancy in rates of homelessness between two of the most populated cities in the world? Tokyos government officials state that the city focuses on temporary housing provision, employment training, and ensuring that older homeless people are covered under welfare programs to ensure housing. The culture in Japan also plays a part. The Japanese tend to have a stronger family support system when compared to the US, where individualism and self-independence is prized. Less income inequality in Japan, but a growing problem in the United States, is also believed to be a contributing factor to keep homeless rates low. Once youre at the poverty level, it is difficult to escape it. Modernized societies are distinguished by lavishness, convenience, and abundancebut only for individuals who can afford it. As the gap of income inequality continues to widen the poor become poorer, while the rich get richer if the prosperous arent willing to put the resources into supporting the less fortunate (such is not the way for a capitalistic society), homelessness will continue to prevail. Alex Pietrowskiis an artist and writer concerned with preserving good health and the basic freedom to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. He is a staff writer forWakingTimes.com, where this article first appeared, and an avid student of Yoga and life. Homelessness isnt so bad once one adapts to it as a lifestyle. You have a van. We are talking about people sleeping on the street or in culverts. Isnt to bad?? The future increase will be in my sector of homelessness, which Ive been watching and tutoring new arrivals to. The government has a definition that both fit into. If you want a politically correct label, you can call those like me the working homeless, because I have always worked. There are thousands of longhaul truck drivers who fit the same definition. I used to be one of them. Well done Medicine Hat. You are too close to Harper country though. Watch it. Harpo doesnt like this at all. Good point little Stevie I wonder how he got the job Harper cant have this on his home turf. Hope for Canada if the NDP can take Alberta, Harper maybe can be at least voted out in the fall. 