Should you give money to homeless people?

No, I think that we should give homeless people the means to basic education, and employ ability. This will effectively reform them and allow for them to stand on their own feet. I feel that this is a better long term solution then just giving them money, as this does not work in the long term and will not help them ultimately.

Think of it as people who are dying of thirst in Africa we can send them "emergency water" but at the end of the day when they have drunk that water they are effectively back in the same position as they were when they were at the start of the day! However if we build wells in Africa that provide people with a reliable water source they will not need to be continually given water so both sides win. The comparison was only there for perspective and was not suppose to be taken literally.

Look on the bright side, if they are addicted to some substance and you give them money, then for that day they don't need to resort to crime in order to fund their addiction.

Yeah, I wouldn't nessecarily give 'homeless' people any money as you don't really know if they are 'homeless' at all.

Although I do donate to homeless shelters in my local area.

Yeah, I get that ..but the topic title is Should you give money to homeless people?

Seeing as you seem to want a concise answer no I do not think that you should give money to homeless people!



No it does not mean that the next time I see someone on the street who is asking for money I am going to give them money, and neither am I going to ensure that they receive an education as that is not my responsibility but that of the government and society as a whole. The quote was only for perspective and was not suppose to be taken literally I do think that you are over-analysing this a bit too much!



I do not expect every person who walks past a homeless person to personally provide them with an education as you are right, that would be too much time and effort. However I do not think that giving them "a few quid or nothing" is a valid solution to the problem (and can potentially do more harm than good) that is homelessness that is what I was hoping people would infer from my quote do you understand how this links back to the quote now?

Personally I wouldn't. Firstly because you have no idea what they will spend the cash on. Secondly there are professional beggars in every city and it can be hard to tell who is 'legit' - tears in their eyes could be a sign that they just know how to pull on your heart strings... I would donate to respected local charities/shelters or offer to buy someone a hot meal/drink if you want to help.

I've heard of gypsy women making >£200 a day walking around begging in central London with a young child accompanying them.

People are more likely to give if a young child is with them....

they even train the child to say things like "please.." ..."i'm hungry..." etc too whilst they are begging...

Look on the bright side, if they are addicted to some substance and you give them money, then for that day they don't need to resort to crime in order to fund their addiction.

I do not think giving them a few quid is going to help them to a large extent either, ..but I am being realistic here, I am not going to stop when I see a homeless person and make sure they are educated/personally see they start applying for jobs etc, that Is more work and effort that I am willing to do ...and more work and effort than 99.9% of people are willing to do.

The next best thing they can realistically expect from me as I am walking by is to drop a few quid into their hat.

and you are saying you don't think people should do that.

So that means what you're essentially saying is that instead of giving people homeless people money people should do nothing ....because they're not gonna stop and get them educated/a job ...and you yourself won't even stop and get them educated a job.

In an ideal world yes, it is much better to arm someone so they can take care of themselves rather than handouts....,but in reality ...that's much easier said than done [as I am highlighting]

yep... it's horrible as they're basically taking money from genuinely needy people

By all accounts, withdrawal from hard class A drugs is hell.

But the only two substances that can kill during unsupervised, non-medicated withdrawal are; benzodiazapines,... and alcohol. Alcohol is cheap, available widely, and is not only socially accepted, but socially expected. 90% of the British adult population are drinkers to various degrees.

Frankly, giving some homeless guy a few odds to go towards that days bullet of 7.5% Frosty Jacks is worth if it it stops him going into alcohol withdrawal seizures on the street, tying up an ambulance for 30 mins while admitted to A&E, cost of a CT scan for brain damage, night or three in A&E emergency department review unit.

So, chipping in some shrapnel to go towards a £3.60 bottle (1 L) of cheap, strong cider. Or cost to NHS (= taxpayer) of what £1k? £5k a night?

i gave a homeless man some food once , he threw it back at began to cuss at me

kind of been put of since , but occasionally if i have some spare change and see a homeless guy i would leave it for them