> Specifically, what discrete banking options should be available if someone is homeless, owes child support, and maybe has open warrants someplace.

I used to publish a street paper and have been trying to solve this problem for the past six years. Street papers are theoretically great because they solve many of the problems associated with homelessness. However, their efficacy is being cut because more and more people don't carry cash. Unfortunately, to take part in a cash free economy, you need things like a bank account, credit, or a device.

Another problem was cash management. We would launch an issue and out vendors would start selling. Then, after four hours, they might have made $80. This was problematic because some of the problems that lead to homelessness can usually be exacerbated by a sudden surge of cash.

In my experience, paranoia and/or fear of the system is the biggest barrier to discrete banking. Homeless people are disproportionately affected by laws banning camping in public parks, or that 'close' public parks at 11pm. When society continuously passes laws making it harder for you to live, it doesn't take long before it's hard to trust society. Add in schizophrenia (which is an epidemic amongst homeless populations), and banking is very hard.

Some of the ideas we came up with include:

- selling ads to cover 100% of the magazine's cost, thn 'selling' the paper to vendors for $1 a copy. We'd hold this amount collected in our bank account and hand it out on request. We abandoned this idea because it felt too much like enabling addictive behaviours.

- building a new payment card system. If you buy a magazine, you would put cash onto a vendor's card. Then, we'd have a list of merchants (ie - grocery stores, landlords) who would accept it. Not only is this idea insanely difficult to pull off, but it attacks dignity. A loss of dignity is a cause of continuing homelessness.

This entire question is complex and if you explore it deeply enough, you quickly run up against money laundering/banking regulations. But, if we can solve it, we can solve a huge problem.

Consider social assistance cheques. If you don't have a bank account, you have to use cheque cashing services instead. Cheque cashing companies charge a large premium to cash cheques. In the case of government cheques, there is virtually no risk other than counterfeiting.

Thanks for bringing this up!

Cash in a safety deposit box, generally. Lots easier than opening a bank account. Take out what you need.

Also Patrick could put the money onto a debit gift card.

As I wrote above, there are larger issues here. If Leo can't handle this money, in any form, then he'll need a caretaker. Be that a relative, social services, friend, etc.

There are strict rules around things like Green Dot prepaid cards too, not to mention the personal risk associated with having possessions of any value on the street.

Safety deposit box is not a bad idea. But I can't even imagine the stress and anxiety of carrying around 10 grand on a gift card when you are homeless.

He wouldn't necessarily have to take it all at once.