I wish there was an experimental program whrere people with money and looking for a tax break could anonymously “adopt” a homeless person or family and pay at least the person’s rent for, say, 2 to 3 years, not to exceed around $800 a month for a single person.

1. Tax break: The person with money could get a tax deduction for say 75 to 100 per cent of the rent. The deduction would vary from state to state, because rent costs vary from state to state.

2. The donor and the homeless person/family would always remain anonymous to each other.

3. Social Services or a a group like Catholic Charities would run the experimental program. If the program is a success, it would be expanded to other states and cities.

4. Rule: A person could not “adopt” a family member or friend.

5. For instance, Gates of Microsoft fame could lead the way by adopting a homeless person/family anonymously in a city of his choice.

6. If Gates is successful, his succcess could encourage other people with money to follow gates example and “adopt” a homeless person/family in the city of the choosing.

7. This program would be a small solution to the severe homeless problem, especially among the elderly, but it will be a good start.

8 .Lottery: Maybe a lottery could be set up pick the homeless persons or families who would be chosen for the program. For instance, the local welfare department could match lottery winners with people with money who volunteer for the tax deductible program.

9. For instance, let’s say that the local welfare department has found 10 people with money who say that they would like to volunteer for the program to help the homeless.

10. But the local welfare department has 20 homeless persons/families who need a place to stay.

11. The welfare department could then set up a lottery where the 10 homeless persons/families could be matched with the 10 anonymous people with money.

If I were to retire now, my Social Security retirement benefits would only be $300. a month. Let’s say that I had subsidized housing & was only paying a third of my income for rent. O.k., that’s $100., leaving me $200. a month for food, utilities, transportation, medication, etc. As it stands, Section 8 Housing lists have been closed nationwide for years – meaning that you cannot even fill out an application for housing.

As a society, we need to STOP THE INSANITY! Personally, I’ve had it with all of the U.S. military muscle (& obscene numbers of dollars for bombs) policing the planet, while allowing our citizens to suffer. Enough already!

Thank you for helping to bring these issues to light, Bri.

Blessings,
Rev. Cynthia

God bless her sons for staying by her side

Thank you for your story. I will be looking into the Integrated Recovery Network.