I have a problem with this and question YC for taking on The Detroit Water Project. I'm truly not trying to be difficult but I do not see the full context of the situation here or in the TC article. I'm a native Detroiter (not the suburbs and live in the city now) and know that this problem is not as severe as often publicized.<p>There are programs already in place for people who are struggling to pay their water bills by the city, county, and state to avoid shut off regardless of their economic status. Why not focus your efforts on getting people enrolled in those programs; which would ensure they're doing everything within their power to keep water on.<p>As indicated by the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, in the news, talking circles, and community events, there are some that simply choose not to pay their bill over others (i.e. phone, cable, etc...). What is the need to pay your bill if others will do it for you? The city has made a ton of bad decisions but this is not one of them.
Pretty neat, just made a small donation. I think it would be cool to see real-time statistics and various metrics. Like how much has been given (regularly updating). What goals there are to reach people in certain priority levels, like 45% complete on P1 which is customer's water is scheduled for turn-off within the month. Show what numbers of monthly commitments would be needed. Etc. Donors could then better see the impact they are making. I think this is a big advantage to Watsi where you can see the person and their story. That may not be as simple for this project, but even aggregate metrics that show progress I think would be a huge incentive.
We updated the URL from <a href="http://blog.ycombinator.com/the-detroit-water-project-yc-w15-connects-donors-to-unpaid-water-bills" rel="nofollow">http://blog.ycombinator.com/the-detroit-water-project-yc-w15...</a>, which points to this.
From when giving stuff for free to people helps them?
How will they learn to save and organize their lives?
Social welfare was never a solution to ANY problem when provided long term to the same people.
Instead of giving for free lets do this - ask people to work for 8 hours a week cleaning streets etc - and IN EXCHANGE their water bills will be paid off.
It is useful to put projects like this in context. People are dying for want of $1000 - $5000 worth of medical treatment in poor countries.<p>"Donors have given over $170,000 for water bills for over 900 families in Detroit." 170 children's lives could have been saved for the same amount.<p>If you asked the beneficiaries of this project whether they would prefer a life was saved over their water bill being paid, I think most would say save a life.<p>Though these people are desperately poor (and probably rationally hopeless), they are citizens of a wealthy and powerful nation that will not let them suffer too much like over a billion other people with real problems do.<p>Watsi.org is a good place to start if you are serious about helping people.<p>I'm astounded that the practical and serious people at YC are participating in a goofball project like this that is competing for resources with serious efforts to do good.