> it is a misrepresentation, as a lot of those "empty" homes are awaiting a buyer.
Which means as a society we've chosen to value the liquidity of the housing market (something that I think is really good!) over the basic dignity and needs of human beings (something that I think is even more important!).
That's a societal choice. In a society that absolutely has enough wealth to shelter and feed every person, the fact that we've chosen not to is simply a disgrace. That people die in the cold in America is a moral failing. If we were a poor nation, and couldn't afford otherwise that would be one thing. But we aren't, and it's simply a choice that we make to let people die in the cold.
I made a proposal above (though, you’ll also not that I said I thought my proposal was unlikely to be workable in practice).
But, if you review what I wrote, you’ll note I never proposed anything close to what you asked about.
My actual proposal would be this: we should invest heavily in a housing first approach to homelessness at both the federal and state level. We should invest in this as a priority, as if it will save lives because it will.
Along with that, we should invest in mental health and addiction treatment programs as a supplement.
We should tax the fuck out of the rich to do so in a revenue neutral way.
BTW, the government has built housing for the poor many times. They're called "The Projects". Usually they wound up being demolished after a few years.
Taxes aren’t really bad for the rich in California. Ya, they are higher than normal, but most people who think they are excessive just don’t understand how marginal tax rates work.
Which means as a society we've chosen to value the liquidity of the housing market (something that I think is really good!) over the basic dignity and needs of human beings (something that I think is even more important!).
That's a societal choice. In a society that absolutely has enough wealth to shelter and feed every person, the fact that we've chosen not to is simply a disgrace. That people die in the cold in America is a moral failing. If we were a poor nation, and couldn't afford otherwise that would be one thing. But we aren't, and it's simply a choice that we make to let people die in the cold.