It’s the holidays and our hearts go out to the poor, the infirm and the homeless.
We wish we could do something to ease their suffering, but most of us feel pretty powerless. We hope someone else will solve the problems, or we contribute a little here and there as we can, or we look the other way.
Homeless people often suffer from mental illness or alcohol or drug addiction. Some aggressively panhandle, yell at pedestrians and contribute to public health and sanitation issues.
Building housing is expensive and takes time and often isn’t even what a homeless person really wants. And let’s face it, most residents really don’t want homeless people in their midst. Would it be so bad to round up these individuals and send them to “tent cities” outside the city where they can receive concentrated help?
Showers, tents, cots, bathrooms, blankets, food, medicine, doctors, nurses, psychiatric practitioners, nutritionists, food service workers, security personnel, job training experts, job counselors, teachers, laundry facilities and religious advisors could all could be provided in a centralized setting.
I know “rounding them up” sounds cruel. But letting the currently dysfunctional and inadequate system persist year after year seems like the cruelest program of all.
Authorities recently raised tax dollars that will go into building nicer housing in the immediate area, complemented by all the needed “wrap around” services (mental health, etc.) but this will take years to accomplish. Land is expensive and commercial interests will pay more for land than a new housing agency will be able to afford. Any new housing will be snapped up quickly, leaving many behind. Demand far exceeds supply. Even people with money can’t find homes to buy!
Tent cities would provide an opportunity to rehabilitate people while waiting for better housing. Some might like the tent cities enough to want to stay. Those who can’t cope and will never be able to care for themselves should be in institutionalized care where they can’t hurt themselves or others.
Some will say that what I’m proposing is not only cruel but illegal. But everyday citizens have rights, too, don’t they? Is it right or fair that homeless people are allowed to aggravate and even endanger so many others?
Laws can be revisited, as can programs. If something’s not working, we should try and fix it. We need to be practical and take measures that will actually work.
If you don’t like what I’m suggesting, please, for the benefit of all – including the homeless – suggest something better. I’m completely open to the idea that my idea might not be best. But I think it is better than what we’re doing now. Anyone disagree? If yes, let’s get a conversation started.
Happy holidays!
