A B.C. study gave 50 homeless people $7,500 each. Here's what they spent it on.
A B.C. study gave 50 homeless people $7,500 each. Here's what they spent it on.
A new B.C.-based study undercuts the persistent stereotype that homeless people can't be trusted with cash, according to the lead researcher who says it also highlights a different way to respond to the crisis.
A new B.C.-based study undercuts the persistent stereotype that homeless people can't be trusted with cash, according to the lead researcher who says it also highlights a different way to respond to the crisis.
This is good to see, but I don't think it's anything groundbreaking. Anyone who has been paying attention knows that the way to cure poverty is to give people money, the problem is that the rich and powerful don't want to do that, so it doesn't happen.
Great news, and hopefully this will lead to more help for those who need it (UBI please!).
I'm not sure how this will "undercut the stereotype that homeless people can't be trusted with cash" though, as they specifically didn't give money to the type of homeless people these stereotypes are about...
The study did not include people who are street-entrenched or who have serious addictions or mental health issues, Zhao noted, adding people who fit that criteria do not make up the majority of homeless people.
The need to exclude these people reinforces the stereotype if anything.
They were conducting a study targeting the population they wanted to study. I'm assuming other studies would seek other populations out, assuming they could get the funding to even do so. 375k is a large but limited sum to deal out.
A comprehensive study would be to offer monetary aid to those who can use it and supplant that aid with equivalent or above resources in whatever mental care they need otherwise. More informed people can figure out how to reach out to "street-entrenched" individuals than me.