Kamala Harris Teams Up With Maxine Waters On $13 Billion Plan To End Homelessness

[Rembrandt Brown]

Kamala Harris Teams Up With Maxine Waters On $13 Billion Plan To End Homelessness
The senator and congresswoman want to invest in more affordable housing ― a dire need in their home state of California.
By Sarah Ruiz-Grossman
Huffington Post
10/03/2019

Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), who is running for president, introduced a bill Thursday that would invest billions of more dollars in affordable housing and other initiatives to prevent homelessness.

The “Ending Homelessness Act,” which was co-sponsored by Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.), would give an additional $13.27 billion over five years to create an estimated 400,000 affordable housing units.

The funds would go to supportive housing, including homeless shelters and transitional housing, as well as housing vouchers for low-income families and local outreach services to homeless residents.

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) introduced a similar bill in the House in March, which passed in committee and is expected to go to the House floor.

“Too many people don’t have a safe place to call home. We must act quickly to tackle our country’s homelessness crisis head on,” Harris said in a news release. “The women and men who woke up this morning on a bench or under an overpass cannot afford to wait.”

The lack of affordable housing is a nationwide crisis, and California has one of the highest rates of homelessness. On any given day in January 2018, more than 500,000 people were homeless in the U.S., according to a federal report.

Nearly a quarter of the nation’s homeless residents live in California. In the past two years, homelessness has spiked in Los Angeles, parts of which Waters represents, and the San Francisco Bay Area, where Harris is from and had served as district attorney.

​

President Donald Trump went on a tear last month about homelessness in California, notably complaining about how people living in tents were ruining the “prestige” of San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Some of Harris’ fellow 2020 contenders have also zeroed in on homelessness in recent weeks, with former Housing Secretary Julián Castro and former Congressman Beto O’Rourke both visiting California last month to speak with people in homeless encampments.

The funds for Harris’ and Waters’ legislation would be appropriated from mandatory emergency relief funding, according to a news release ― but Harris’ team said it was still to be determined, namely through processes in the Senate committee, exactly where the funds would be drawn from.

“In the richest country in the world, it is simply unacceptable that we have people living in the streets,” Waters said in a news release.

See also:

• Sanders housing plan: National rent control, affordable housing, investment to combat homelessness

• Trump’s Homelessness Plan: Demolish Tent Cities, Increase Police Presence and Incarcerate

 

[Rembrandt Brown]

The “Ending Homelessness Act,” which was co-sponsored by Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.), would give an additional $13.27 billion over five years to create an estimated 400,000 affordable housing units. [...]

Some of Harris’ fellow 2020 contenders have also zeroed in on homelessness in recent weeks, with former Housing Secretary Julián Castro and former Congressman Beto O’Rourke both visiting California last month to speak with people in homeless encampments.

I would note how the press doesn't even mention Bernie Sanders, who just this past month released a plan to invest 2.5 times as much toward combating homelessness, along with an additional $70 billion to repair and expand public housing and a push for national rent control... And how he beats all the people they named in polls and fundraising if you combine them... But that's none of my business.

 

[LordSinister]

Shit was bad when I visited LA. We need a real good plan to help people in need.

 

[4 Dimensional]

Shit was bad when I visited LA. We need a real good plan to help people in need.

First step is to find out why they are homeless in the first place.

 

[Rembrandt Brown]

Shit was bad when I visited LA. We need a real good plan to help people in need.

''California is home to 12% of the country’s population but half of the country’s unsheltered homeless people."



Trump was just attacking Pelosi on this yesterday... Beyond what I pointed out about her proposal being relatively weak, the timing on Harris's repackaging of Waters's March bill is suspect.

As senator from the state that supposedly has half of all the homeless people in the country, how is she only just now addressing this issue now that it has become a political liability?

 

[The Plutonian]

Shit, is this for the entire nation or just Cali?

 

[Rembrandt Brown]

First step is to find out why they are homeless in the first place.

I want to learn more about why it is so concentrated in California. It's not just warm weather. Nevada and Arizona are hotter and in the same region.

Housing costs are higher there but why aren't those people migrating to cheaper markets like Las Vegas? How many of those California homeless are natives? These are my initial questions.

 

[exiledking]

I like this. Bout damn time. Let's go! Hopefully they don't fuck it up.

 

[exiledking]

Oh shit. They're about to build projects again. Sigh

 

[Rembrandt Brown]

I would note how the press doesn't even mention Bernie Sanders, who just this past month released a plan to invest 2.5 times as much toward combating homelessness, along with an additional $70 billion to repair and expand public housing and a push for national rent control... And how he beats all the people they named in polls and fundraising if you combine them... But that's none of my business.

 

[tallblacknyc]

Shit was bad when I visited LA. We need a real good plan to help people in need.

Cali takes another l

 

[4 Dimensional]

I want to learn more about why it is so concentrated in California. It's not just warm weather. Nevada and Arizona are hotter and in the same region.

Housing costs are higher there but why aren't those people migrating to cheaper markets like Las Vegas? How many of those California homeless are natives? These are my initial questions.

Finding out why will be able to weed out drug addicts, alcoholics, or just unwillingness to work.

So people may want work, but cost of living will not allow them to sustain in an outrageously priced economy.

 

[PsiBorg]

California is the richest state. It's Argri-business is also the largest in the country. Some people come here knowing of this wealth, and they think that they can make a fresh and better start.

But, what they don't know is that the taxes are exorbitant. There are taxes for every fucking thing here. For your vehicle alone, you really take it up the ass. Gas can be taxed locally in some places, and statewide at the same time. Then, they'll even add a tax to the gas again to fix the roads (which is what your registration money is supposed to go towards).

You come with a great idea, and a politician will find a way to tax it. I remember when they made everyone get car insurance. I took no issue with that. But, instead of making the insurance companies hold rates steady, they passed the law on the drivers first, then insurance went through the roof.

Some of the greediest politicians are here as well. I remember the Insurance Commissioner named "Quackenbush" got caught taking money from insurance companies etc... If they really want to fix the homeless problem, they'll need to pour money in the servicing of mental health issues of people first. They'll have to pour money into drug addiction centers as well. People are homeless for various reasons.

They think "Rent Control" will be a big help in cities like LA/SF... But landlords will not rent to people for the long term, because the rents can't increase according to the free markets, and evictions will be too costly. To me, Free Markets are always best. But government interference always fucks it up.

No matter how much federal money they get, it will be commandeered by corporations, and local/state politicians.

 

[HotNixon36]

First step is to find out why they are homeless in the first place.

and if they are able, find a way to make them productive, and work, not just live off the fat of the land.

Handouts cripple people.

 

[4 Dimensional]

and if they are able, find a way to make them productive, and work, not just live off the fat of the land.

Handouts cripple people.

And finding a way to make them productive is a huge issue. Ultimately, a person has to want to do better. All we can really do is motivate, inspiring, and show various directions and opportunities they may take to improve their situation.

The psychology aspect would be tough. I sure there are many reasons people are homeless in Cali. Definitely not just because they couldn’t afford the cost of living. I’m sure the cost of living has a lot to do with it, but there are other things as well.

And I agree. Handouts do cripple people, but some people do need a boost to get going.

 

[neptunes007]

Shit, is this for the entire nation or just Cali?

Good question

 

[BDR]

Shit was bad when I visited LA. We need a real good plan to help people in need.

47% of the nations homeless reside in Cali that is fuckin crazy

 

[xfactor]

That’s just about everyone except the 1%.

Wasn’t San Francisco 30%+ black in the 70s? Imagine if our community held on to those homes and how much wealth we’d have today?

Shit was bad when I visited LA. We need a real good plan to help people in need.

 

[Dannyblueyes]

First step is to find out why they are homeless in the first place.

Simple. Homes cost too much fucking money.

It's not drugs or alcohol. There are plenty of addicts with good jobs that still have a place to live.

It's not an unwillingness to work. Most retired people have homes as well.

It's not mental illness either. At least no more than physical sickness or injury.

All of these factors can exacerbate homelessness, but they don't cause it. otherwise you wouldn't have an epidemic of sane sober people working 40 hours a week and sleeping in their cars.

We need to understand that housing is a fundamental American right. Same as a court appointed attorney is.

In fact, a right to a home needs to be enshrined as a constitutional amendment. Something that can overrule the racist the zoning laws and housing covanents that caused this problem in the first place.

 

[8/11Streetz]

First step is to find out why they are homeless in the first place.

Man that rabbit hole runs deep.

The biggest misconception is that homeless people are lazy when that can be furthest from the truth. If you wanna be completely honest I know a few people one step away from being homeless. I had a cousin who was living in his car just to use what he would have used for rent to pay on student loans. I myself almost was fucking homeless when I got laid off and was living off my savings

I can give you tons of examples of the this so if they plan on getting rid of homelessness they are going to have to do more then just provide hones to folks.

 

[Dannyblueyes]

and if they are able, find a way to make them productive, and work, not just live off the fat of the land.

Handouts cripple people.

So if a poor person gets arrested for a crime they didn't commit does having a court-appointed public defender to help with their case cripples them?

Same applies to housing.

 

[HotNixon36]

So if a poor person gets arrested for a crime they didn't commit does having a court-appointed public defender to help with their case cripples them?

Same applies to housing.

Some of my best friends bounced back strong after doing a stretch, being homeless, or near death experiences.

I have traveled to a lot of 3rd World countries, seen babies and toddlers sleeping on the streets. I have seen people survive a lot of shit, right here in US.

Do not expect no pity party from me. Everything I got, I worked, sacrificed, hustled, or risked my freedom or my life for it. I have not had parents or grandparents for a long time, no excuses.

I do not respect healthy, lazy people. What does not kill you, makes you stronger. The world does not owe anybody anything.

Everything's gonna be alright...

 

[hardawayz16]

Simple. Homes cost too much fucking money.

It's not drugs or alcohol. There are plenty of addicts with good jobs that still have a place to live.

It's not an unwillingness to work. Most retired people have homes as well.

It's not mental illness either. At least no more than physical sickness or injury.

All of these factors can exacerbate homelessness, but they don't cause it. otherwise you wouldn't have an epidemic of sane sober people working 40 hours a week and sleeping in their cars.

We need to understand that housing is a fundamental American right. Same as a court appointed attorney is.

In fact, a right to a home needs to be enshrined as a constitutional amendment. Something that can overrule the racist the zoning laws and housing covanents that caused this problem in the first place.

Nah.

If these people are physically and mentally fine as you say, why don't they move to an area where there is housing they can afford?

Building more projects doesn't address the cause of homelessness, and it will create a whole nother set of problems. The government hasn't been maintaining the projects in their control now.

 

[ansatsusha_gouki]

Just remember, veterans has a large population when it comes homelessness yet folks walk around act like they care about them but shit on Kaepernick for taking a knee...

 

[gene cisco]

Finding out why will be able to weed out drug addicts, alcoholics, or just unwillingness to work.

So people may want work, but cost of living will not allow them to sustain in an outrageously priced economy.

Shit, close to 40 percent of homeless people are addicted to alcohol. Another 25 percent have other drug addictions. You have a large number who are mentally ill. I wonder how many problems are going undiagnosed. Dealing with the disabled, mentally ill, 'slow', and addicts would significantly reduce the number of homeless people.

While republicans are good for ignoring shit, democrats are great for pissing money away at symptoms instead of correcting root causes.

Addicts always provide a false sense of security. Money is spent cleaning them up. Folks stay clean for a period of time. They then fuck up, lose employment, end up homeless again. A mentally ill person will feel better than ditch their meds. Or they just might have a breakdown.

We ALL(democrats and republicans) have to admit some people just need to be put up forever. There needs to be permanent facilities for certain people. Addicts and the mentally ill will fuck up almost any situation. People who are 'slow' will also fuck up.

Ain't like this country don't got the funds to just house the majority of these people. Been spending billions for decades locking people up for bullshit. Prison industrial complex can just transition to homeless industrial complex and the rich will still eat while homelessness is greatly reduced.

 

[Dannyblueyes]

Nah.

If these people are physically and mentally fine as you say, why don't they move to an area where there is housing they can afford?

Building more projects doesn't address the cause of homelessness, and it will create a whole nother set of problems. The government hasn't been maintaining the projects in their control now.

A lot of them do. San Francisco even has a program where they buy bus tickets for homeless people with out-of-state relatives who can help them get on their feet.

The problem is that most people who end up homeless in San Francisco are from the Bay Area and don't really have anyone locally who can look out for them. For them moving to another city cost money and most landlords won't let you move into their building unless you have deposit and a job first.

Think about it. Suppose you went homeless tomorrow and chose to move to a cheaper City like Las Vegas for instance. Where are you going to find work? If you get a job how are you going to sleep the night before? How are you going to wake up on time to get to work? Where are you going to shower? How are you going to make sure nobody steals all your stuff when you're on the clock?

I fully agree that simply providing homes won't solve all the problems, but it's still a huge first step.

 

[Dannyblueyes]

Some of my best friends bounced back strong after doing a stretch, being homeless, or near death experiences.

I have traveled to a lot of 3rd World countries, seen babies and toddlers sleeping on the streets. I have seen people survive a lot of shit, right here in US.

Do not expect no pity party from me. Everything I got, I worked, sacrificed, hustled, or risked my freedom or my life for it. I have not had parents or grandparents for a long time, no excuses.

I do not respect healthy, lazy people. What does not kill you, makes you stronger. The world does not owe anybody anything.

Everything's gonna be alright...

It has nothing to do with pity.

the reason why every person has the right to a lawyer whether or they can afford it or not is to stop the government from using the criminal justice system to displace the poor. It's far from perfect, but it goes a long way to protect both the people and the integrity of the system.

Likewise, ensuring that every person has a home helps prevent businesses from railroading poor people in the jobs that don't do really do anything for them.

It also helps people with particular issues become less of a drain on society. If an alcoholic passes out drunk in his bedroom he wakes up in bed with a nasty hangover. If he passes out on the street he wakes up in either a hospital bed or a drunk tank. The hospital bed gives him a bill he can't afford to pay and the drunk tank gives him a criminal record that he may not be able to shake. It adds yet another layer of barriers to his recovery which makes it a lot more unlikely. Meanwhile you and I are the ones paying for it.

And yes, a lot of people do overcome adversity including stretches in jail. That doesn't mean they should be sent there when they didn't do anything in the first place. And let's face it, if overcoming homelessness is so easy why the hell did they make a Will Smith movie about it? Nobody would watch it if it was just an everyday thing.

 

[hardawayz16]

Think about it. Suppose you went homeless tomorrow and chose to move to a cheaper City like Las Vegas for instance. Where are you going to find work? If you get a job how are you going to sleep the night before? How are you going to wake up on time to get to work? Where are you going to shower? How are you going to make sure nobody steals all your stuff when you're on the clock?

I fully agree that simply providing homes won't solve all the problems, but it's still a huge first step.

Listen bruh If I'm serious about bettering myself I'm gonna figure things out, no matter where you place me. I'm not with the excuses. But thats just me.

 

[SPECTRE1]

Being homeless is a form of incarceration.

 

[Dannyblueyes]

Listen bruh If I'm serious about bettering myself I'm gonna figure things out, no matter where you place me. I'm not with the excuses. But thats just me.

same here, but it's a hell of a lot easier to do when you have a roof over your head. Especially when you're already in an area with high rents and high wages.

 

[tallblacknyc]

The same people saying the homeless should pull themselves up with their boot straps should say the same thing about million dollar corporations that get billion dollar bail outs... When rich people get bail outs nobody complains but when people want to give homeless some shelter and food tell them lazy people to get off their ass... Got to love amerikkka

 

[ORIGINAL NATION]

It would be good to end homelessness. A lot of places hate the poor and homeless. Sometimes it seems that maybe they need to keep this as a threat to those that have not completely sold their soul. Or those that are not completely controlled by the system. Third world countries starved to death while we threw away tons of food. And white power governments knew this before the masses ever found out. But white power governments like America would help their so called enemies like Russia before they would help them or help them to help themselves. Sometimes I feel that these countries starved to death because unlike us who were born right here to be programmed from birth to death they had some space from some of the programming.

 

[Dannyblueyes]

It would be good to end homelessness. A lot of places hate the poor and homeless. Sometimes it seems that maybe they need to keep this as a threat to those that have not completely sold their soul. Or those that are not completely controlled by the system. Third world countries starved to death while we threw away tons of food. And white power governments knew this before the masses ever found out. But white power governments like America would help their so called enemies like Russia before they would help them or help them to help themselves. Sometimes I feel that these countries starved to death because unlike us who were born right here to be programmed from birth to death they had some space from some of the programming.

I think it's more an offshoot of the Puritan mentality.

It's this whole idea that God blesses his most faithful servants with riches. That having more money means that you're more virtuous. On the other side, people who live in obvious poverty must be scorned by God because of a lack of moral character.

The real reason we don't help the homeless is because if a person is poor it's because of something bad they did and it's up to them to redeem and repent so that God can lift them out of their condition.

 

[ORIGINAL NATION]

I think it's more an offshoot of the Puritan mentality.

It's this whole idea that God blesses his most faithful servants with riches. That having more money means that you're more virtuous. On the other side, people who live in obvious poverty must be scorned by God because of a lack of moral character.

The real reason we don't help the homeless is because if a person is poor it's because of something bad they did and it's up to them to redeem and repent so that God can lift them out of their condition.

I hate to say this but that is not true. They said the same thing about third world countries. No black should be poor in Africa but if white devils control the land and riches one part of Africa cannot help another part. The Tutsi's in Rwanda were killed for contacting revolutionary groups in other parts of Africa. But they killed the poor helpless unarmed Tutsi's. But when the armed Tutsi's came to help what was left of them the French government sent in armed troops to help the killers get away. The Hutu's even stated that our French brothers will help us now.
The world is fucked up because devils have the land resources and power. After slaving for 400 years we have house niggas today that have no idea they are controlled and their soul has be sold to a white reality. It is similar to what was experimented in Jonestown where somebody else is represented as your man and that statement Jim Jones made I will be your God until you realize that you are God. That was a statement for the blacks. The seat where he sat to make his public speeches in Jonestown was a sign over the seat that said "Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it" that was put there for blacks. Over 80 or 90 percent of the followers were black. All blacks had to work the fields except for 2 whites. They starved, worked like dogs, mosquitoes ate them up daily, even at night because their huts had no doors or windows. But Jim Jones was built a house with screens etc. Plus he had millions in the bank. And he also had a lot of their money that was coming to him.
That programming or spirit of the world (white man's world) is why every year more and more millions are homeless. For generations we have been filling the prisons like sardines. Not because we are criminals but the genes have been programmed. It is just a matter of overcoming this white reality.

 

[ORIGINAL NATION]

I want to learn more about why it is so concentrated in California. It's not just warm weather. Nevada and Arizona are hotter and in the same region.

Housing costs are higher there but why aren't those people migrating to cheaper markets like Las Vegas? How many of those California homeless are natives? These are my initial questions.

The shit is world wide and here in America it is all over. Georgia got millions of homeless. Las Vegas got a street named John 3:16 and at night it is lined with sleeping bags. Some places like Reno lock them up for major holidays like Xmas, 4th of July, New Years etc., so the tourist will not see them. In a lot of places law enforcement is instructed to beat them up and force them to leave town.
It is a trip a certain force can rush in make you successful and powerful but it owns you and then you find out what that force really is and want to end it it will rush you into prison or to skid row. There are some people actually on skid row that are afraid of changing because they are threatened in a way that no one can see. But in prison they can make you wish you were dead and actually make you upset that death itself will run away from you as long as what ever it is that is controlling you at the time. It is sad and sick but it is real.