“The money was given, “no questions asked,” but we somehow know how they spent the money.”
I can only assume they were given something similar to a debit card, where the spending can be tracked.
I’m speaking as an accountant, since I do the same with my own spending.
I had renters who used EBT to buy stuff they’d sell at cents on the dollar so they could buy beer, cigarettes and drugs.
It’s still bogus. How are the homeless going to buy illicit items (drugs, sex, etc.) with a debit card? So, a lot of these illicit transactions fly under the radar.
They get around this by buying food/clothing hard items and then selling them on the street for whatever they can get. That usually gives them enough to get their dope fix.
If I understand, cards like those, including food stamps, are regularly sold for their cash value or less considering it’s, “free money” the recipient didn’t work for. SOMEONE spent them on necessities. It may not have been the original recipient.
Not arguing in favor of a UBI, but there could be important lessons to learn from this data. Not that I have any faith those lessons would be implemented. But ask the questions such as what was it about this money that helped? Did it get people into housing that was otherwise unaffordable? Then there is a problem with housing affordability. Fix that. Did it get them medical care? Then there is a problem with medical care system. Fix that. Did it get them healthier meals? Then there is a problem with food subsidies. Fix that.