301: Homelessness, "housing first," and common sense

The boys drink and review Kostritzer Schwarzbier, then discuss homelessness.  When we talk about "the homeless," we have to make some distinctions. Some people with no home have a job, a car, and are making do ... they just don't have a place to live. They live in their car and shower at the gym.  Others are drug addicts or have mental illnesses. It's a mistake to lump them all into the "homeless" category.  Homelessness is closely associated with drugs, mental health issues, street camping, open drug use, and the legalization of property crime.  There are different philosophies on how to address this. One is called "housing first." Another is "treatment first." Many policies are based on permissiveness and perpetuation of the drug-addled life on the street.  Good policies require people to have skin in the game and demonstrate responsibility. Accommodating drug addiction and facilitating a vagrant lifestyle is sold as compassion, but it's not the solution.