The Origins of San Francisco's Homeless Problem

Michael Shellenberger is an investigative journalist and author who has made a career of examining urban policy and its unintended consequences, particularly around homelessness and drug addiction in major American cities. He appeared on JRE episode 1719 to discuss his research into how San Francisco's progressive policies have contributed to the city's homelessness crisis, touching on topics ranging from municipal politics and crime to the psychological and health factors that drive addiction. Shellenberger brings a data-driven approach to conversations often dominated by ideology, making him a valuable guest for exploring the complex relationship between well-intentioned governance and real-world outcomes. Joe had him on to dig into why one of America's wealthiest cities has become synonymous with homelessness and street crime despite massive spending on the problem.