A new B.C.-based study undercuts the persistent stereotype that homeless people can't be trusted with cash, according to the lead researcher who says it also highlights a different way to respond to the crisis.

Zhao says having data on how people who did get the money actually spent it is something she thinks will help counteract stereotypes, increase empathy and potentially get skeptics and the public on board with the idea of providing cash transfers.

Now that the study is complete, the plan is to replicate it and expand it to other cities in Canada and the U.S.

  • givesomefucks@lemmy.worldEnglish
    818·
    1 year ago

    Mate…

    If we can show that early intervention prevents things from getting so bad we can’t fix them…

    That’s still a good thing.

    What you’re saying is like “we can’t help people society failed a decade ago, so why help people society just started failing?”

    Stopping an issue from getting worse is better than ignoring it

    • blueeggsandyam@lemmy.world
      51·
      1 year ago

      I think the study seemed to want to change the stereotype so I think the parent comment has a point. I would be interesting to see what percentage of people make up those excluded groups. The study mentions it is low but don’t provide numbers. Also, the opposition to current social service argue that the recipients should get drug tested and have jobs to receive them so this seems to support that argument. It would be interesting to hear what Zhao used to exclude people from the study and what could be done to help the outliers.

      “People in general don’t trust those in homelessness. We think that when we give homeless people money they’re going to squander it on drugs and alcohol. That’s a deeply ingrained distrust and I think it’s unfair and it’s not true,” Zhao told CTV News

      • 🍔🍔🍔@toast.ooo
        2·
        1 year ago

        just to clarify, the study provides numbers, it’s just the article that does not

        45% of participants were excluded for a score >= 6 on the DAST-10 drug abuse screening test, 13% were excluded for score >= 20 on the AUDIT alcohol use disorders identification test, and 26% were excluded for psychiatric symptoms according to the colorado symptom index

        in total 229 of 732 participants passed all screening criteria (additional criteria: age 19 to 65, homeless for less than 2 years, canadian citizen or permanent dresident)

        • blueeggsandyam@lemmy.world
          1·
          1 year ago

          Thanks for the info! 500 being excluded out of 732 doesn’t sound like a small amount. It appears to almost prove the stereotype.