Moving the goal posts on homelessness

[unhappycamper]

http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/editorials/2015/09/24/moving-goal-posts-homelessness/BoOy8BPSPQw1tpPdmpI12I/story.html



A man exited a tent at McKeon Park in Hyannis.

Moving the goal posts on homelessness
By Joan Vennochi Globe Columnist September 24, 2015

It Is Billed as a CRUSADE against homelessness. But it feels more like one against the homeless, or at least against the cost of subsidizing them.

Governor Charlie Baker just came up with a plan to reduce the number of families living in hotels and motels at state expense because they have nowhere else to go.

It’s simple: Toughen eligibility requirements for gaining access to such housing and, like magic, the numbers will go down.

Where would those families go? The Baker administration said it will commit $5 million to help find more permanent living situations. That sounds good. Except that shelters are full, rental voucher programs are tapped out, and affordable housing is essentially nonexistent — which is why families become homeless in the first place. So without an accompanying plan to provide more affordable, permanent housing, the $5 million means little or nothing. Meanwhile, restricting eligibility just makes it harder for families in need of assistance.

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Our right-wing Gov is squeezing poor people and homeless the way Republican governors do.

Stop it, Mr. Baker.