[Jochim]

When I was a child I had the same idea. I imagined myself a rich man, living in a large mansion. I would invite the homeless to live in the mansion in exchange for their labour, providing days off and a stipend.

I grew up.

To exploit someone's desperation for personal gain is an idea that has no place in a civilised society. More so when that society is fully capable of ensuring no-one ends up in that position.

[nicenewtemp84]

Society can. But the person that employed me part time in highschool wasn't able to. So yes, he had someone living in those conditions in his warehouse (not me). I think it was better for the person than being homeless.

Is that really any different than a young adult moving back in with the parents and helping around the house?

[Jochim]

> Society can. But the person that employed me part time in highschool wasn't able to. So yes, he had someone living in those conditions in his warehouse (not me). I think it was better for the person than being homeless.

The existence of a worse alternative does not justify a situation in isolation. I don't doubt that it was a better alternative to homelessness but it was not the only alternative. We would never attempt to justify slavery with the suggestion that it was better than being murdered.

That's not to say that the people involved were moustache twirlingly evil but it also doesn't make the situation moral/desirable.

> Is that really any different than a young adult moving back in with the parents and helping around the house?

Generally, yes. There's a decades long filial relationship, the child's time is free to pursue paid employment, and the parents are unlikely to kick the child out because business is slow or the dishes haven't been washed. A homeless person living and working in a warehouse has been put in a position where they're obliged to comply with the employer's demands. If they're working full time for the employer for free/very little then they also have very little ability to save enough to have the agency to move themselves on, or push back against unreasonable behaviour.

If you've ever had a bad boss, imagine that person deciding whether or not they want to make you homeless at any given moment.

[nicenewtemp84]

One, young adults do get kicked out of their home on the whim of their parents all the time.

Two, a HUGE percentage of low income earners could be made homeless by losing a job at any time, which they do, combined with maybe an unlucky event or two.