I’m sure that the frontline workers for those organizations are earnest and genuine in their effort to help, but it’s also undoubtedly true that there’s a lot of money to be made (and it’s not really in the interest of those making the money to see the problem solved). If you search the term “homeless industrial complex”, you’ll see lots of hot takes on this. I’m not really endorsing any specific perspective, but I suspect that, as always, the truth is mixed and complex.
I said the truth is mixed and complex, not that it is "in the middle". The last few years provide examples of that which are as good as any other time.
"there's money to be made" is one of the weakest arguments there is. Capitalism makes it all about money! There's little doing without it.
This opinion can lead to some really ignorant statements (which I've heard before) :
- Full time jobs at charities? Money laundering for sure, they should reject their salary and starve.
- Investing in clean energy? A conspiracy, some people make money there.
- Recycling? People are paid to do it, it's a sham.
- Politician not forfeiting his salary? Corruption, they shouldn't make a living (or just take brides under the table).
"There's money to be made" isn't an argument. The world is not a binary, just because I am implying that some part of an industry is cronyism and grift, doesn't mean that I am asserting that it is 100% the case. It would be equally dumb to assert that it is 0%.
