r/theydidthemath 2d ago

[request] Is the $20 billion figure cited accurate?

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u/heresyforfunnprofit 2d ago edited 2d ago

Very true. There’s also the basic economic principles in action here that will exacerbate the problem - when you subsidize anything, including homelessness, you produce more of it.

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u/crater_jake 1d ago

Sure, but there’s an opportunity cost on the other side. It probably isn’t alluring to most people to choose to be homeless even if there’s a safety net. If the safety net reduces the cost of the problems that occur without the safety net (in dollars or less demonstrably in the health and wellbeing of the populace) then it’s worth it. I think people are way more frustrated by the people on the streets than they’d be by the safety net, at this point.