Ending homelessness in America should be our moral imperative. Here’s how I think it could be done:
Cities could use eminent domain to give abandoned properties to the disadvantaged. Imagine that…it could HELP people for a change.
Write off the old tax debts on these properties that will never be recovered anyway, and give the new owner 2 years grace period on future property taxes, appealable for longer as long as the owner can demonstrate that the property is being improved.
The property must be kept up, or it can be given to someone else who WILL work to improve it. Assistance should be given in form of building materials, tools, and instruction, so that property improvements can be made without undo expense and hardship to the homeowner.
Cities could use eminent domain to give abandoned properties to the disadvantaged. Imagine that…it could HELP people for a change.
Write off the old tax debts on these properties that will never be recovered anyway, and give the new owner 2 years grace period on future property taxes, appealable for longer as long as the owner can demonstrate that the property is being improved.
The property must be kept up, or it can be given to someone else who WILL work to improve it. Assistance should be given in form of building materials, tools, and instruction, so that property improvements can be made without undo expense and hardship to the homeowner.
Homeless people become homeowners, the city gets a future taxpayer and reduction of blight, at a minimal cost. Basically just the cost of supplies to help improve the buildings, many of which could come from donations of left overs/scrap, especially you integrate it with a recycle program for contractors.
Homelessness is solved. What’s next?
Don’t agree? What did I miss? We’ll revise and conquer.
The Article ‘Why aren’t we harnessing technology to end homelessness?’ originally appeared on https://buff.ly/2HYdeZh
Jamie’s comments are his own.
