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Homelessness - FAQ


 

Q. Why is homelessness so pervasive? 

The causes are varied. At the most basic economic level, homelessness is caused by poverty and unemployment. The poor simply cannot afford adequate shelter. With estimates of the number of absolute poor (those who cannot meet their most basic needs) reaching 1,200 million people world wide – which is about equal to estimates of the homeless – poverty and homelessness are linked almost by definition.

Beyond basic economics, there are political causes as well.
Because the poor often do not carry much political weight, a government may not feel the political pressure to improve its housing and anti-poverty policies.  Many governments are elected because a small number of wealthy people pay to have them elected. They want  things a certain way.  They  want to maintain the status quo and do not want to lose their privileges. The government will not put much energy into eradicating poverty because that is not what the wealthy people want. 


Q. How will we solve the problem of homelessness?

A. Through the redistribution of the world's goods and resources – The world stock market crash will bring this about. It will reorient the governments of all countries towards a more equitable redistribution of food, housing, health care and education, which as universal rights will become the priorities of all governments.

After the crash, the first duty of governments will be to feed people with the right food. Their second duty will be to ensure adequate housing. Health and education will be the next priorities. Investment along these lines in other parts of the world will follow, and lastly, defence. In short, the crash will lead to a reordering of priorities.

 

 


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First published April 1999, Last modified: 15-Oct-2005