Episode 235: Ted Hayes, a Veteran Crusader for Homeless People, on Homelessness (May 18, 2022)

This week on The Open Door, panelist Jim Hanink, Mario Ramos-Reyes, and Christopher Zehnder talk about homelessness. It’s a multifaceted human tragedy. But it does not defy solution. Our welcome guest is Ted Hayes, a veteran crusader for homeless people. He just recently hosted a group of California political candidates at an encampment in Venice, California. Ted is plain-spoken and a friend of philosophers! So we’ll have lots to learn from him. Among the questions we’ll ask him are the following. Please feel free to add to our list!

1. Mr. Hayes, Ted if we may, you are well known in Los Angeles. But could you begin by introducing yourself to our larger audience?

2. How did your long advocacy for the homeless begin?

3. In light of your experience, what responses to homelessness don’t work? And why don’t they work?

4. Are there any current interventions that have shown promise?

5. What are you yourself doing in Venice?

6. Lately you have been speaking of the need for federal intervention. Why is that? Do you anticipate success? And if successful, do you foresee any unwelcome side effects?

7. How does the California housing shortage contribute to homelessness?

8. What role does mental illness play?

9. Meth kills. So does fentanyl. Is there a way to fight the manufacturers and distributors of these poisons?

10. The American Solidarity Party is prolife for the whole of life. Do you have any advice for us on how we can honor our commitment?