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.
Yes, the article mentions the control group, too. What they don’t mention (and I’m curious about) is whether the savings figure quoted was gross or net? I’ll quote another comment in this post since I’m not sure how to properly link it.
Those who got the payment did not spend more money on “temptation goods,” spent 99 fewer days homeless, increased their savings and spent less time in shelters which “saved society” $777 per person, according to a news release from UBC.
“Is that gross or net savings? That is, is the $7500 included and there was a net savings, or was there a net cost of $6723?”
The societal cost of a shelter stay in Vancouver is estimated at $93 per night (6), so fewer nights in shelters generated a societal cost savings of $8,277. After accounting for the cost of the cash transfer, the reduced shelter use led to societal net savings of $777 per person a year.
Yes, the article mentions the control group, too. What they don’t mention (and I’m curious about) is whether the savings figure quoted was gross or net? I’ll quote another comment in this post since I’m not sure how to properly link it.
“Is that gross or net savings? That is, is the $7500 included and there was a net savings, or was there a net cost of $6723?”
Any idea, from skimming the actual study?
https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2222103120