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Affiliate, Micro Task work for Homeless People

by webapex
5 replies
When I see homeless as well as impoverished people digging for recyclables I have to wonder if they could do as well using a computer at the local library or community center to do micro tasks at sites like mturk, microworkers or short tasks.

I would prepare a handout guide as a service if it were feasible, I see some of these people do have cell phones as well.

I suppose the biggest obstacle would be collecting their payment without a bank account, I really don't know about the 2nd tier payment systems some of these sites use, can any go to an easy to get ATM card?

Any suggestions on how they could realistically do these tasks on a borrowed computer, and get the payment without a permanent residence would be appreciated.
#affiliate #homeless #micro #people #task #work
  • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
    Originally Posted by webapex View Post

    I have to wonder if they could do as well using a computer at the local library or community center to do micro tasks at sites like mturk, microworkers or short tasks.
    In King County, Washington you're limited to two hours total computer time a day across all branches.

    Meanwhile, sleeping on the sidewalk with a can and a cardboard sign will pull in about $15 a day. Add in the search for recyclables, and the homeless work when they want and where they want for roughly $500 a month. It's not enough for a place to live, but you can eat on it.
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    • Profile picture of the author Miguelito203
      Originally Posted by CDarklock View Post

      In King County, Washington you're limited to two hours total computer time a day across all branches.

      Meanwhile, sleeping on the sidewalk with a can and a cardboard sign will pull in about $15 a day. Add in the search for recyclables, and the homeless work when they want and where they want for roughly $500 a month. It's not enough for a place to live, but you can eat on it.
      That's actually enough to rent a multiple-bedroom apartment in the burbs and only a couple hundred dollars short of being able pay mortgage on the 3-bedroom house in the same area where I live. I'm always shocked when I watch court shows and hear people say that their rent is like $1,300/mo. With that said, I live in a small town in the southern United States.

      Joey
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      • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
        Originally Posted by Miguelito203 View Post

        That's actually enough to rent a multiple-bedroom apartment in the burbs and only a couple hundred dollars short of being able pay mortgage on the 3-bedroom house in the same area where I live.
        You can't make this kind of money while homeless unless you're in an urban area. That's why they go there. Furthermore, they still have to eat. $500 a month may rent an apartment, but it won't also buy your groceries or pay your utilities, and good luck getting into that apartment without going over $1,000 out of pocket.

        Not to mention no current address, no phone number, and no employer reference. Most apartment complexes verify income and perform a background check before renting. Oh, and you get to pay for it, too - the application fee is usually $50 to $100, and they'll get back to you in three to five business days.

        In other words, come back in a week; we'll thank you for the money and tell you to leave now.
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        "The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers
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  • Profile picture of the author theory expert
    Banned
    That's noble of you for trying to help them with a guide on your dime, but, you have no idea what their skill set is and I doubt if they would be technology skilled.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sushiman1111
    You could float the idea to a few of the homeless and see what they thought of it. Probably they have no idea that these sites exist.
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