Ryan Woods’ Post

View profile for Ryan Woods, graphic

Senior Learning Consultant at Docebo

Remember Maslow’s hierarchy of needs? Securing necessities for living — food, water, shelter, safety — provides the foundation for seeking higher-order flourishing. Without these fundamentals, life devolves into a never-ending struggle to find stability. That’s why the homeless benefit most from having housing for themselves. We know this from research, confirming this part of Maslow’s insight (I’m aware of its critics). We also know that the single most significant determinant of homelessness in a community is the cost of housing. And in the United States, real estate values remain tethered to social indicators like school district quality, crime rates, and employment levels, fostering gated communities, insular mindsets, and NIMBY entitlement. That’s why it’s so encouraging to see an affluent enclave like Boston’s Back Bay open its arms to the homeless, and say, “Yes, in my backyard. Welcome to the neighborhood.” We need more of this. In the end, we’re all just walking each other home — no matter where we live.

Why Boston’s wealthy Back Bay said yes, in our backyard

Why Boston’s wealthy Back Bay said yes, in our backyard

csmonitor.com

To view or add a comment, sign in

Explore topics