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Comment by mlindner | Hacker News Reader

Homelessness exists in cities because it's possible to be homeless in cities. It's not possible to be homeless (without a vehicle) outside cities. Ergo, cities cultivate homelessness. If you make living as a homeless person impossible in cities, homelessness would disappear.

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Rural homeless isn't just possible; it exists.[0]

[0]: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/07/04/7362403...

Fayette County Kentucky is the location of downtown Lexington, the second largest city in the state. It's not rural.

The article is much longer than the first few paragraphs about Lexington.

By what mechanism would homelessness disappear? What would happen to the existing and newly homeless? Because it sounds like the answer is "starvation to death".

Most people would regard that as pretty inhumane.

You assume that none of the homeless can lift themselves up from homelessness. I've read some interviews with them, and it seems that a portion of them just prefers homelessness to hard physical work for meager pay (which is an only option available for them). With the support systems provided by cities and states, homelessness can be seen as a favorable option by people who have an extreme aversion for labor (not to mention that without having to show up for work every morning they can freely pursue their drinking habit). I don't see that angle discussed here.

I don't propose a mechanism. Just pointing out the reasoning.

the sim city way.

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