Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 2148664)

"Progressive" is one term to describe it. The more accurate term is "anarchy"

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive (Post 2148685)

"Anarchy" works. So do a few other words.

Unfortunately, with the Thought Police and all...

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725 (Post 2148687)

There are always going to be people down and out for various reasons and in an open society it is hard to do much for them unless they accept the help.

Originally Posted by Oldragbagger (Post 2148586)

On it’s face this sounds like a good and caring solution. But it’s not that simple when dealing with the homeless. I’m not taking about the person who suddenly finds themselves living in their car because of an economic downturn, or the person who has fled a bad home situation and finds themselves with nowhere to go. That’s a whole different subject and helping that person find temporary housing would be absolutely the right thing to help them turn their situation around. But the long term homeless are a whole different matter.

How do I know this? I have an alcoholic brother who has lived on the streets, by choice, for 15 years. I’ve had plenty of dealing over the years with him and his homeless friends. Everyone in the family has tried to help him, time and time again, but one by one we all had to give up at a point when it started to have toxic effects on our own lives and families .

My brother has been in and out of shelters so many times but never stays because they come with some expectations of acceptable behavior or even, god forbid, rules which he refuses to adhere to. Such as, most churches won’t tolerate you sitting on your bunk drinking yourself into oblivion, or being aggressive, or using constant foul language, or……fill in the blanks.

These folks usually have either substance abuse issues, mental problems, or both. Just finding them a place to sleep isn’t the answer, and honestly, as much as we’d like to believe differently, the vast majority of them have no desire to change their lifestyle. As hard as it is for those of us who live a normal life within society to understand, there is a freedom and a lack of expectations that comes with their life that they don’t want to relinquish in order to get “help.”

He has been in and out of rehab probably a dozen times over the years. Rarely makes it past a few days. And he has been banned from some shelters. He knows where to get a free meal if he needs it, and prefers to sleep in a tent wherever he can. He has been camping in someone’s back yard (with permission) for a couple of years now. If that should end he “knows” all the spots he can go where he is unlikely to be bothered by the law. What would be unfortunate would be for our local homeless population to start to realize that our neighborhoods are one of those places.

Are they all dangerous? I don’t know. I don’t personally believe my brother would intentionally hurt anyone. Although I do think that he might perceive a threat in a drunken state and respond in an unpredictable manner. Do I think he would steal from you if given an opportunity? You betcha. They even steal from each other. Their justification, survival.

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive (Post 2148688)

I agree.

But at what point does the good of the "open society" become more important than the "down and out" segment dragging it down?

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725 (Post 2148693)

Some homeless near a bridge in the Southern part of the Villages hardly is dragging down society. They have been around since I moved here in 2005. Panhandlers that is and sometimes they are anything but homeless. Just some more confidence men and women who probably make good money. Others are not so lucky nor so dishonest and might be on the street for reasons of PTSD or some other illness.

Originally Posted by coffeebean (Post 2148615)

The only homeless people I have ever seen, living in The Villages, are the people who stand on the corner of 441 outside of Walmart. They have signs asking for help.

Originally Posted by Kenswing (Post 2148709)

We moved here from Washington. What we saw in Seattle regarding homeless people was that you will never solve the homeless problem if you make your city a great place to be homeless.

Originally Posted by Smalley (Post 2148689)

I am so sorry for the anguish that your brother has caused in your family. He is probably typical of the chronically homeless described here. If they want detoxification, it is available. Those with serious mental health problems are more difficult problems. We can't allow a tented homeless camp in The Villages. It brings degradation, filth and violence. Our homeowners deserve a safe environment. We came here for quality of life and many saved their earnings for years to be able to afford it.

Originally Posted by manaboutown (Post 2148750)

A problem unique to The Villages, and perhaps Florida in general, is that so many homes sit empty for months on end, especially during the hot, hotter and hottest months of the year. Sure, people check on them now and then but empty dwellings attract homeless and other undesirables. Also many of the people who reside here are over 70 years of age and likely more vulnerable in a multitude of ways than they were in their young days. If the criminal homeless get a foothold here Katy bar the door.

Originally Posted by charlieo1126@gmail.com (Post 2148332)

There are people camped behind strip malls , Walmarts and just about any place you can camp in woods , was he bothering anyone , was it just seeing him that scared someone , and stating we all paid a premium to live next to a homeless camp is a little over the top

Originally Posted by manaboutown (Post 2148750)

A problem unique to The Villages, and perhaps Florida in general, is that so many homes sit empty for months on end, especially during the hot, hotter and hottest months of the year. Sure, people check on them now and then but empty dwellings attract homeless and other undesirables. Also many of the people who reside here are over 70 years of age and likely more vulnerable in a multitude of ways than they were in their young days. If the criminal homeless get a foothold here Katy bar the door.