Living in an underground crosswalk Taichung corner of Taiwan Da Dao road and Wuquan Lu road.
https://goo.gl/maps/9UYggDWyJWP2
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I’ve noticed a marked increase lately. It used to just be certain train stations or locations but I’m seeing them everywhere.
I pass several regularly in the suburbs of Taipei, and the main train station / bus station / underground mall always has a bunch of people sleeping there at night.
I have also noticed more people begging than in the past. The HSR Station Taipei seems to be getting worse. I used to give coins to an old Ama there, but a few days ago I was asked by 3 people in 20 yards .
There may be more homeless, but some of them wouldn’t be homeless at all. Just running a scam during the day and then going back to an apartment to count the change.
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Theu caught a big scam group from Mainland a couple of weeks ago. Missing limbs or other disability. Made millions all over Taiwan.
Locals rarely beg. There are government schemes in place that grant them at least 5k per month. There is also the association behind that magazine being sold in mrt stations. It helos people that for some reason or condition truly cannot work.
Some homeless have drug problems so they fear seeking help and ending up in jail.
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This is quite likely a classical example of induced demand. Taiwan has sufficient job opportunities even for unskilled persons and social services. There is no justification for begging on the street and “being nice” will just cause more people going for a career as a street beggar.
Precisely.
Drug users do not end up in jail in Taiwan, but rehabilitation centers. Going cold turkey under medical supervision is not really what users want. And it’s not like drug users would seek other forms of therapy offered by government or private foundations. As long as police do not step up efforts against loitering, and there are enough naive donors to make begging a lucrative trade, I am afraid we will not see an end of narcotics and street begging.
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Whoa, jackpot!
Housing costs. Most developed cities are seeing similar increases in homelessness.
I think it was worse a couple of decades ago . Taipei main has always had homeless people living in B1.
I wish there was as much sympathy and effort and Facebook postings for homeless people as there is for dogs.
Some people go crazy when they see a dog that appears to be homeless but do nothing when they see a human being that appears to be homeless.
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That’s because nobody thinks the dog ought to be working for a living.
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And dogs are cute.
That’s because some homeless people are crazy, addicts, or just scammers as we discussed earlier.
Re: DREWCUTZ
And what are you basing this information on? Because they don’t live in a house like you and me that automatically makes them “crazy” and a “scammer?”
These people need help and encouragement to get back on their feet from an already vulnerable position. Not face prejudices and nasty comments based on assumptions from ignorant people
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I care about them. I used to give spare change to them when I saw them but one day decided to switch to giving them food and other useful amenities. This is because of a slightly ironic moment in the past where I gave money to a man begging on a bridge.
He thanked me and I continued on my journey. For some reason I turned back to look at him. To my surprise I saw him walk straight into the nearest casino. Probably to gamble the donation. Of course they face addictions like anybody else and like anybody else they deserve help.
I wouldn’t let one bad experience define a minority group. There have been others who’ve had tears in their eyes when they are shown generosity and kindness. Be on their side not against them as one never knows when their own fortunes could suddenly turn
I said “some.” Not all. Chill out. The fact some homeless people are mentally ill, or have substance abuse problems, or are running a scam, isn’t some “ignorant stereotype.”
Mental illness statistics:
Substance abuse stats:
Scamming “fake homeless” stats:
Maybe you should do some research before calling others ignorant. You joined this forum all of 15 minutes ago. Probably shouldn’t start by picking arguments with others.
Some, yes. But it’s not the majority. The majority of homeless people are victims of addiction, sexual and domestic abuse, job loss, repeat offenders, those who grew up in foster homes who were turfed out when they turned 18.
Anybody can click a few random internet articles to seemingly justify their point. But what counts the most is showing empathy to those in need. You may take the stance that they are scammers etc and bad sorts but I’ll take the side that for every scammer there is one person, somebody’s son or father or mother or daughter, that is in need of help.
As for research… I’m willing to wager a humongous amount I’m more educated on this topic then the most. I’ve experience working with these people and can assure you they are misjudged and treated wrongly by society. But I’m sure none of the posters here no what it’s like to sleep in the cold outside.
As for research, one of us cited studies and stats, and one of us didn’t. I think that’s all that needs to be said. I’m not anti-homeless, but someone asked why there seems to be more empathy for lost animals and I merely replied with a possible (and well supported) explanation.