Plus, in San Francisco, the very liberal Board of Supervisors does not want to seem like they are "tough on the homeless".

Stu Dudley

What does "tough on the homeless mean" in SF? In Florida, it means arresting them, or harrying them from pillar to post--which costs money but does no one any good, as it's just a miserable game of whack a mole.

That money would be better spent on solutions, of course.

I like, and try to support, groups that do one-on-one homeless outreach, getting to know the individuals and helping to figure out individually tailored ways to help them. Because there are almost as many reasons for homelessness as there are homeless people.

Homeless is a misnomer, it implies that lack of housing is the primary issue for most of the visible people living on the street. Lack of housing is an issue for many of the non visible homeless i.e. people living in their cars, couch surfing, living in shelters, etc. It is not the primary problem for those you see panhandling, passed out, or hanging out on the streets. Lack of ability (or willingness) to conform their behavior to coexist with others is a large issue. The services needed to get such individuals off the street permanently are enormous; an individualistic approach may work in towns with a small number of such individuals such as Charlotte, but in areas where there is a large population and a severe shortage of affordable housing like San Francisco Bay Area the solution is not so workable.

We are spending so much money cleaning up the Bush/Cheney mess in the Middle East and incarcerating minority group members that there is little left to address social ills, mend our decaying infrasctructure, or improve our failing education system.

HTtY

When I lived on the Waterfront in Boston, we had many homeless, some of whom begged, and many beggars, only some of whom were homeless.

Jack, who was homeless, wouldn't go to a shelter. Roger, who did go to shelters, sold the Boston Globe outside the Aquarium Garage and watched out for Jack. He didn't beg either. Many people who passed them every day bought food for Jack and sometimes Roger, though neither ever begged.

Jack slept behind some Jersey barriers that were part of the Big Dig. Every few months, he would check into Mass General and get cleaned up and sorted out.

One night, a rich girl from a western suburbs drove her BMW into one of the Jersey barriers. It flipped and landed on top of Jack, crushing him to death.

After the funeral, his family posted notices thanking the neighbors for taking care of Jack during all his years on the street and for coming to his funeral. They were a respectable family from a nice suburb and had followed every legal route to get him him home or at least under a roof. He was adamant.

What are you going to do?

SAB, all good points, especially this one: "Lack of ability (or willingness) to conform their behavior to coexist with others is a large issue."

Ackis, yes, exactly. And what a sad story, really.

well, good points except for adding that she was rich and driving a BMW, which are both irrelevant.

Are they? The symbolism is irresistible.

"well, good points except for adding that she was rich and driving a BMW, which are both irrelevant."

It is a Thing.

On June 15, this year, the Boston Globe reported:

"A graduate of Wellesley High School was among two men killed in a North End crash involving a BMW convertible that overturned early Friday, authorities said."

Same street, same time of night (2:45AM) and the driver was also from that "western suburb." I thought it worth mentioning, but I take your point.

I have good memories of a visit I made to Eureka 40 yrs ago. I wonder what they will o about their homeless. Even liberal cities in CA like Laguna Beach are quietly moving to export the homeless. Others like Oahu has even paid for plane tickets for their homeless to return to the mainland

Im not a sociologist or anything, but the homeless I know hate being homeless but enjoy the company of others that are like them. I feel a good long term solution would allow them to keep those parts of that community they enjoy...otherwise to often they eventually return back to the streets

Akislander, sorry if it sounded like I was picking on you. We all do that, not just you, but when I see it in print, it always causes a reaction!

I am planning to visit Eureka during my vacations. Can anybody suggest me places to visit in Eureka as I have never been their. I have planned for spending $ days their.

I presume you are kidding. I've never found anything interesting to do in Eureka, but others have: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...alifornia.html

The Carson Mansion is amazing, but visitors are not allowed inside.

HTtY