Why Billionaires Abandon Their Duty to the Homeless

It's the popcorn smell. The one you get when someone is smoking crank. Not good for the mansion. Yep.

For many, the idea of billionaires living in luxury while millions of people are homeless seems incongruous. The question often arises: Why don't they build apartments for the homeless? The reality, however, is more complex than it seems.

Why Billionaires Say No

The answer lies not merely in their wealth but in the realities of their power. The power comes with the risk of losing it, and that's a significant deterrent for those who enjoy the benefits of their immense wealth.

Imagine being a billionaire. You have the power to change the world, to shape cities, and even influence policy. But with that power comes the potential to lose it all, and as the saying goes, 'not gonna happen.' Many billionaires understand that addressing the issue of homelessness requires more than just financial resources. It demands a long-term commitment that often goes beyond their willingness to invest.

A Dilemma for Those Well-Intentioned

Take John Sobrato, a billionaire developer, for example. He presented a plan to build supportive housing for the homeless in Santa Clara, a project he had successfully undertaken before. During the city council meeting, the neighbors strongly opposed the plan. Their concerns were not based on a lack of empathy but on practical considerations that many failed to understand.

More Than Money

Constructing homes for the homeless is not as simple as just providing finances. It requires a comprehensive strategy that addresses the underlying issues of homelessness. For instance, John Sobrato's plan included supportive services and infrastructure. However, even with such a plan, the city council rejected it. This outcome highlighted the complexity of the issue.

The neighbors' opposition was rooted in multiple concerns. They worried about safety, noise, and potential negative impact on the neighborhood's quality of life. These concerns are legitimate and reveal the multi-faceted nature of the problem.

Realities of Homelessness

Those who delve into the issue of homelessness quickly realize that it is far more complex than simply providing shelter and money. Take, for instance, the challenges faced by Myra, a case study in my experience.

Myra had a hard time securing a home for herself because of her eviction due to previous unpaid rent. She was anxious and had difficulty leaving her current neighborhood, where she could still access support systems like Starbucks. A change in environment, even a seemingly simple one like moving to an apartment, was a significant challenge for her.

Another encounter I had was with a man who was skilled and hardworking but refused to work due to environmental concerns. He lived in a house with me for eight months without contributing to rent. If I wanted to remove him, I would have to evict him. His lifestyle had become accustomed to living freely in nature or in shelters, rather than a structured environment like a conventional apartment.

Supporting for Life

My experience led me to conclude that unless you are willing to support people for life, you cannot fix homelessness. Partial support had little effect, as people would invariably end up homeless again. I decided to help those I knew well who had hit a rough patch, like my divorced niece, who was raising kids on her own. However, even with this, I understood the limitations. I could only help a select few.

A Call to Action

While billionaires may not always be willing to fix homelessness directly, they can still play a role. Instead of building cottages, they could provide funding and support to non-profit organizations specializing in housing and support services. They could also advocate for policy changes that address the root causes of homelessness.

Ultimately, addressing homelessness requires a multi-faceted approach involving both financial resources and long-term commitments. As an influential group, billionaires have a unique opportunity to drive change. Let us hope they choose to use their power not just for profit, but for the betterment of society.