END URBAN CAMPING
There are tents everywhere. Commissioner Dan Ryan is actively working to bring expensive “safe rest” shanty towns to communities all over the city. And the programs funded by the new Metro Supportive Housing Services Income Tax seem to be producing no results.
The problem is getting worse because city and county policies reward and enable homelessness, which just attract more of it. Allowing human beings to live in the elements atop their own waste has become a health and safety hazard. And it is anything but compassionate. There is a better way.
My plan is to address the homeless crisis head on — by putting a complete stop to it. My proposal is that all unpermitted encampments be removed within 24 hours of appearance. The city needs to get serious about keeping them cleaned up so they don’t just move around.
We must be compassionate to those who struggle with illness. There are already many programs available for drug and mental health treatment. Part of the clean up process must be helping to connect those in need with available resources. The city has over 250 rehabilitation clinics that are available to any individual who is seeking help. I believe that the necessary infrastructure already exists. We just need to take a serious look at where public funds for homeless “services” are going and restructure or eliminate unproductive agencies like the Homelessness and Urban Camping Impact Reduction Program.