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A two-year study between the United Way of Greater Los Angeles and USC's Center for Community Health Studies and Housing found that housing the homeless is about $80,000 cheaper than leaving them on the streets. The survey found that taxpayers spent $187,288 a year those living on the streets because of their use of hospitals, jails and clinics. Putting people in permanent housing costs $107,032.
A county program that found housing for the 50 most vulnerable people found similar results in a different study.
"We need to show that the taxpayers benefit by having permanent housing and are hoping to see Los Angeles used as a model for managing homelessness," said Elise Buik, CEO of the United Way's L.A. chapter, to the Daily News.
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"...because of their use of hospitals, jails and clinics", they don't use these services if we house them? I don't see the logic behind this argument. I say we train them and put them to work. It's a win-win situation.
I say put them to work on farms. They can grow food and learn other basic skills such as woodworking to feed themselves and to raise money at farmers markets. Those who don't want to can be placed in psych hospitals, jail, or simply don't allow them into hospitals and clinics if they refuse to act human.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/16/nyregion/16farm.html
By way of clarification, the dollar amounts that are being cited come from this passage in the report:
"The total cost of public services for two years on the streets was $187,288 compared to $107,032 for two years in permanent housing with support services—a savings of $80,256 or almost 43%."
http://www.unitedwayla.org/getinformed/news/Documents/HomelessCostStudy_09_r2_v3.pdf
It's too bad that we can't take advantage of all the vacant homes for sale, to house either the homeless, or the poor. I know there's the risk of people damaging property that's being sold, but what a waste of empty homes.