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No. Give them some money, or don't, but don't scan them as if they're a pack of cherries, or whatever.
It seems a sound enough idea to me.

It's clearly voluntary (i.e. homeless people aren't being forced to wear QR codes) and it simply seems a logical extension of how homeless people are already embracing technology (e.g. by accepting card payments when selling the Big Issue).
noooo..how patronising and undignified is that ? if you want to help, then do so in a compassionate way...not like handing dosh over at a till ! wrong on so many levels...
Any way of helping the homeless has to be welcomed and as the man says we are living in an increasingly cashless society so I imagine donations to those holding their hands out on the street are dwindling somewhat. Patronising? No. The homeless don’t have to take part in the scheme. It’s not compulsory.
Great idea. I'd like to see it being used by charity collectors too as I don't carry cash.
I suppose it would help to differentiate between those who are actually homeless and in dire need, and those who just sit there begging. A guy who lives on the street next to mine can regularly be seen in Burnley town centre trying to cadge enough for his next fix.
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As with anything new, there will always be people pro & con.
Personally, I am ... undecided.

Our small town has had, & continues to have, serious problems with the "homeless".
I can elaborate if necessary.

Some opinions:

Pro - it appears that the funds will be better administered.
Con - the street people give up the ability to use the money as they wish.
Subtext - they & their money need to be managed by wiser heads.

Pro - tags enhance donations due to a cashless society.
Con - undignified & being treated like a store product.
Subtext - see above.
Add to Az's comment, there will be some overly paid " Charity" Executives skimming the donations.
We have one doing contactless in Bristol.
https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/920791/big-issue-magazine-seller-homeless-contactless-card-reader-bristol

And we have these.
https://metro.co.uk/2017/05/29/contactless-pay-points-let-you-quickly-send-money-to-homeless-people-6669202/

But I normally buy them something to eat, I watch a large number in the park opposite where I get my bus buying and taking drugs, the little park is a no go area.

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/its-ours-now-homeless-people-1698180
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@Samuraisan
That is a very serious problem in Canada, & probably everywhere else.
https://www.amazon.ca/charity-game-86-billion-year-compassion/dp/1550545124
This book was banned here, not officially but effectively, by the agencies that reap millions but allocate peanuts to their "cause", less than 10%. Only the Salvation Army lived up to their mission.
I managed to get a copy from a distant library. Our system didn't have it. They are very PC.

@webbo3
Thank you for the links. The first two were promising, but the third is more than disconcerting. Where is the law?
Granted, we have had similar problems with tent communities. It takes months before someone has the balls to move them. Then it costs thousands, or tens of thousands, to clean up the sites.
Its a lovely little park and somewhere nice to sit during your lunch hour but not any more, every morning I walk past at about 6:30 and its a mess, empty bottles, litter, discarded clothing and bedding.

I even had one come into my hospital and threaten to slot me.
A Bristol City Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of the situation and are working with partners in order to open the park again.”

The usual clichéd drivel from somebody pushed from the building to speak to the press.
When they're ankle deep in their own waste the squatters will move on to steal something else to wreck and 'partners' will claim victory and clean up after these citizens.
I'm very split on this idea. On one hand I hate the idea of sectioning people off from society, giving them badges to wear and limiting what they can spend their money on, I'm worried that makes them a subculture we can enjoy patronising and looking down on. On the other hand I've often had to pop to the bank when I've seen someone who is homeless I'd like to help because I rarely carry cash, plus if people are struggling with addictions it would help them save towards things they might not be able to if they had cash.
Generally I'm not sold on the idea, I think it's rather demeaning.
I'm not sure there is a solution to homelessness. They cant be provided with a home for free, that would be unfair to those who work for a living. Mind you, i suppose those on perpetual benefits get a home for nothing which is also unfair on those who work.
Bus them to the fruit farms to pick crops and then we need less immigration.
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Can't do that either, Theland. All manner of objections would be raised.
We have an Agricultural Labour Pool but now it just employs itself. The unemployed don't want that - it's hard work.
On occasion the Welfare Dept (now renamed) has had people come in person to collect their cheques because of rising fraud. What an uproar about the "inconvenience".
Who says that all bggars are homeless anyway? For some it is a profession.
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That's true. We have shelters, food banks, etc, etc. The library has prepared a laminated map of the town where all manner of free services are shown. I would hand these out but found it was a waste of time.
Some are chauffeured from the local native reserve to choice spots & picked up at dinner time. They have some flash cars.
Lock them all up in large army camps. Segregate them, druggies, alcohol dependence, mental illnesses. Then send them to specific treatment centres to address their problems.
Maybe I wasn't paying attention, but how does the homeless person then access the money? And how do we know what that money is actually spent on. Working for a homeless charity myself, one rule we advise is don't give money. Food, water, clothing etc...but not money. You have no idea of that person's history, WHY they are homeless, what issues they have. I've given money only occasionally and only when I know the individual does not have dependencies.

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