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Record number of Americans are homeless amid nationwide surge in rent

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Re: Record number of Americans are homeless amid nationwide surge in rent

#2
I could dump a dozen headlines from the last two days about how great the economy is. And one or two that talk about how the latest "GDP rose by 300 billion" is balanced by "public debt rose by 800 billion."

The economy of the world I live in hasn't been getting better; we've drastically reduced the variety of foods we buy and I'm stretching medications for chronic conditions

Re: Record number of Americans are homeless amid nationwide surge in rent

#3

I could dump a dozen headlines from the last two days about how great the economy is. And one or two that talk about how the latest "GDP rose by 300 billion" is balanced by "public debt rose by 800 billion." The economy of the world I live in hasn't been getting better; we've drastically reduced the variety of foods we buy and I'm stretching medications for chronic conditions

Exactly. The question is: who is benefitting from the +300 B in GDP? Everyone?

It would be interesting to know how much homelessness the canceling of student debt prevented? And what about all the Covid stimulation programs, many of which are ending soon, how much homelessness did those delay?

Finally, perception is reality for most voters. If I were to bet on the results of this coming Nov, I don't think I'd be putting my money on the incumbent.

Re: Record number of Americans are homeless amid nationwide surge in rent

#4

I could dump a dozen headlines from the last two days about how great the economy is. And one or two that talk about how the latest "GDP rose by 300 billion" is balanced by "public debt rose by 800 billion." The economy of the world I live in hasn't been getting better; we've drastically reduced the variety of foods we buy and I'm stretching medications for chronic conditions

If you are an employee in tech, media, entertainment, or gaming things are much worse than a few years ago. If you are of an age where you didn't buy a house already, things are pretty awful. If you were low enough income that small price increases break your budget, things are pretty awful.

Re: Record number of Americans are homeless amid nationwide surge in rent

#5

I could dump a dozen headlines from the last two days about how great the economy is. And one or two that talk about how the latest "GDP rose by 300 billion" is balanced by "public debt rose by 800 billion." The economy of the world I live in hasn't been getting better; we've drastically reduced the variety of foods we buy and I'm stretching medications for chronic conditions

Housing is a huge problem and while it has started to improve in some places that have started building a bit more like 'enough', it's going to take a while to turn that ship around. And there's still a lot of scope for reform in the US.

The good news is that it is something most people can help fix locally.

Like... look at this group of local NIMBYs trying to stop an apartment from being built in their neighborhood, where I live:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-compass-corner

That's entirely a local problem, not something the supreme court needs to fix.

Re: Record number of Americans are homeless amid nationwide surge in rent

#6

I could dump a dozen headlines from the last two days about how great the economy is. And one or two that talk about how the latest "GDP rose by 300 billion" is balanced by "public debt rose by 800 billion." The economy of the world I live in hasn't been getting better; we've drastically reduced the variety of foods we buy and I'm stretching medications for chronic conditions

While some prices have decreased, studies show that gouging from pandemic peak times has continued in food. Cost of materials has gone down but prices remain high.

And as for medications, don't expect their prices to go down without legislation and bullying, as shown with insulin. The industry just owns legislators.

Same for housing. Soaking consumers is asymmetrical warfare.

Re: Record number of Americans are homeless amid nationwide surge in rent

#7
post #5

I could dump a dozen headlines from the last two days about how great the economy is. And one or two that talk about how the latest "GDP rose by 300 billion" is balanced by "public debt rose by 800 billion." The economy of the world I live in hasn't been getting better; we've drastically reduced the variety of foods we buy and I'm stretching medications for chronic conditions

Housing is a huge problem and while it has started to improve in some places that have started building a bit more like 'enough', it's going to take a while to turn that ship around. And there's still a lot of scope for reform in the US. The good news is that it is something most people can help fix locally. Like... look at this group of local NIMBYs trying to stop an apartment from being built in their neighborhood,…

What’s wrong with this? People have paid lots of money for those houses and they don’t feel like the local infrastructure can support apartments population density.

I have seen huge problems in Tennessee zoning causing massive traffic issues where I grew up. It’s honestly very bad — maybe we should start by fixing the infrastructure first.

Re: Record number of Americans are homeless amid nationwide surge in rent

#8
post #5

I could dump a dozen headlines from the last two days about how great the economy is. And one or two that talk about how the latest "GDP rose by 300 billion" is balanced by "public debt rose by 800 billion." The economy of the world I live in hasn't been getting better; we've drastically reduced the variety of foods we buy and I'm stretching medications for chronic conditions

Housing is a huge problem and while it has started to improve in some places that have started building a bit more like 'enough', it's going to take a while to turn that ship around. And there's still a lot of scope for reform in the US. The good news is that it is something most people can help fix locally. Like... look at this group of local NIMBYs trying to stop an apartment from being built in their neighborhood,…

What are the chances of a small group and 10k vs big business with infinite pockets and teams ofa lawyers who went to law school with the legislators and judges?

America is not a country where the little guy wins typically anymore but wishing the best for them.

Re: Record number of Americans are homeless amid nationwide surge in rent

#9
post #7
post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Housing is a huge problem and while it has started to improve in some places that have started building a bit more like 'enough', it's going to take a while to turn that ship around. And there's still a lot of scope for reform in the US. The good news is that it is something most people can help fix locally. Like... look at this group of local NIMBYs trying to stop an apartment from being built in their neighborhood,…

What’s wrong with this? People have paid lots of money for those houses and they don’t feel like the local infrastructure can support apartments population density. I have seen huge problems in Tennessee zoning causing massive traffic issues where I grew up. It’s honestly very bad — maybe we should start by fixing the infrastructure first.

Spending money to try and stop homes from being built in the midst of a severe housing shortage is, to put it bluntly, gross.

The infrastructure is just an excuse. The roads they're talking about are some of the least busy in town.

Also you're never going to "just one more lane, bro" your way out of traffic. You need:

* To put more things people need day to day closer to where they live, so they can walk, bike, or still drive, just not so far. Zoning prevents this in much of the US.

* To build alternatives for the people who are able to use them, like bike infrastructure, transit and so on.

But you have to start somewhere, and you can't wait until everything is 'just right' before you build homes. The real world doesn't line up like that, it works in fits and starts and you do what you can where you can.

Re: Record number of Americans are homeless amid nationwide surge in rent

#10
post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Housing is a huge problem and while it has started to improve in some places that have started building a bit more like 'enough', it's going to take a while to turn that ship around. And there's still a lot of scope for reform in the US. The good news is that it is something most people can help fix locally. Like... look at this group of local NIMBYs trying to stop an apartment from being built in their neighborhood,…

What are the chances of a small group and 10k vs big business with infinite pockets and teams ofa lawyers who went to law school with the legislators and judges? America is not a country where the little guy wins typically anymore but wishing the best for them.

These folks are not 'the little guy' - they are the lawyers and wealthy and people who have profited from big business, living in million dollar homes, trying to stop renters (actual "little guys") from moving into their neighborhood.
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