The cost of biohazard cleanup, loss to businesses and citizens from theft, and less customers due to safety concerns could be used to address this issue in a humane manner. The vast majority don't want to live on the streets. The housing offered at places like Maple Court, have so many rules that few adults are willing to sacrifice their freedom and live under a curfew. They aren't prisoners. They are homeless. We know affordability is an issue. Why not remove barriers? No curfews or rules other than the ones we all must abide by? No fighting, threatening others, and the like.
It will be some time before affordable housing is available in the numbers needed. A tiny home with a bathroom gets them off the streets and indoors. No million dollar biohazard cleanups. To qualify for a tiny home all they need to do is work with a provider to address the issues that have led to homelessness and provide the services to aid them. Be it treatment for mental health, addiction treatment, job skills, or even securing employment. Some of the issues, such as housing affordability, will be an issue that can't be readily addressed. However, until affordable options are available, they are of the street, safe, and receiving services to improve their lives which in turn improves our community. Those with an income from employment, SSI, and such can contribute 10-25% of their income towards the tiny home with an automatic deduction.
Some may say, why do they get a free house when I have to work to pay for mine. My answer is that you are already paying with your tax dollars for bio hazard cleanups, increased costs local businesses pass on due to thefts and security, ER visits, increased insurance costs, and then there are the non-monetary costs. Having to find an employee to unlock the laundry soap at the grocery store, walking around people encamped on the sidewalks, the mental health effects of seeing the effects of homelessness, and the list goes on.
Providing a self policing tiny home community as a transition from the streets, and addressing the causes of homelessness with supportive services will cost more in the short-term but will save millions in the long-term while making our community better fue everyone.
Or we can just keep complaining, shake our heads, feel frustrated and helpless, and continue paying fue million dollar biohazard cleanups.
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