Introduction
It is crucial to note that providing cash support to homeless people is a complex and controversial topic that requires attention and understanding. On the one hand, granting money can enable homeless individuals to buy food and basic necessities and address their fundamental concerns. On the other hand, it can exacerbate the problem of homelessness and inspire homeless people to abuse drugs and alcohol (Shara 110).
Moreover, people living on the streets have global problems that are not only related to the lack of clothing or food; they suffer from vices, addictions, and psychological issues. Consequently, monetary assistance on the street is insufficient to solve these global problems and only provokes their development. Therefore, I consider that providing money directly to the homeless will not help them because they will receive resources to buy alcohol and drugs, will not be able to save money to buy housing, and will not solve complicated life situations only through small monetary donations.
Arguments
I strongly believe that people without a fixed place of residence should be helped with food and warm clothes. When I see a person on the street for whom I feel compassion, I buy them food. I also trust charitable organizations and have taken clothes and blankets there a couple of times. In this way, I try to help people who do not have their own homes and places to live. I often do this, but I never donate money.
Although I think they are unfortunate people, and although many of them are in this situation for their own fault, they deserve help. However, many of them have drug and alcohol problems and severe mental issues (Shara 111). Accordingly, if you offer them money, they will use it to buy alcohol or a dose of drugs. Therefore, I prefer a different way of helping them and try to help them directly with the items and food they need.
Nevertheless, I consider that the solution to the problem should be comprehensive, which is why money begging on the street cannot solve the problems that homeless people face. Accordingly, it is necessary to eliminate the root causes of poverty and life on the streets and not to stimulate it through monetary alms. In this way, individuals who will not receive handouts will start thinking about the feasibility of finding housing and work.
Accordingly, I suggest that programs and foundations that provide social housing for people experiencing homelessness should be constantly funded. This will help improve people’s general health, reduce the risk of crime and drug addiction, and help them get housing. Thus, this type of assistance to the homeless using financial resources is effective because it increases their opportunities to enter society and promotes job search (Tsai et al. 87). In contrast, simply providing a steady handout on the street does not stimulate homeless individuals to develop and does not arouse their desire to find a job.
Counterargument and Its Refutation
In contrast to my position, there is an argument that cash alms are a response to a temporary and immediate need of a person in a difficult life situation. One of the leading causes of homelessness can be a lack of funds and access to basic necessities such as housing, food, and medical care. Therefore, at first glance, providing funds to homeless persons can be helpful in the survival and satisfaction of essential requirements (Gross and Wronski 585).
Thus, a large number of people believe that donating money to the poor on the street is vital for them. However, these people cannot verify whether homeless people spend the money they receive on medical treatment, food, or unnecessary things that will not help them survive or escape a difficult situation. Besides, I consider that giving money to homeless people can have a negative influence on others, as it can increase the number of homeless people on the streets and reduce the level of safety in the city. Therefore, I propose that individuals who give funds to the homeless for healthcare can buy the drugs they need or a health insurance plan. The same concerns clothes and food because this is the only method to be sure that the aid will be used for its intended purpose.
Conclusion
In summary, my position is that instead of simply donating financial aid to people experiencing homelessness, it is better to focus on providing comprehensive benefits that will improve their situation and meet their basic needs. That is why I do not support direct cash donations to homeless people on the street; rather, I send money to charitable organizations. Many charitable organizations and employment and social housing programs for people without places to live provide real opportunities to improve their living standards.
Moreover, I also offer food and clothing to homeless people when they ask for money for these needs. This is because, in this way, I can fulfill their desires and help them. Instead, there is an opinion that alms money is essential for solving the difficult life situations of the homeless, and many individuals give money directly to them. However, this method is not rational and does not guarantee that homeless people will not spend the funds on alcohol or drugs.
Works Cited
Gross, Kimberly, and Julie Wronski. “Helping the Homeless: The Role of Empathy, Race and Deservingness in Motivating Policy Support and Charitable Giving.” Political Behavior, vol. 43, 2021, pp. 585-613. Web.
Shara, Aprilia et al. “Differences in the Spatial Distribution and Characteristics of Urban Beggars: The Case of the Sanglah District in Denpasar (Indonesia).” Quaestiones Geographicae, vol. 39, no. 4, 2020, pp. 109-119. Web.
Tsai, Jack, et al. “Public Exposure and Attitudes about Homelessness.” Journal of Community Psychology, vol. 47, no. 1, 2019, pp. 76-92. Web.