Aaron Klemz writes: I'd love to see some empirical (heck, I'll settle for ANECDOTAL) support for the argument that providing adequate shelter cots for folks to avoid sleeping outside in the winter makes more people either: a) Give up their housing to "take advantage" of the "sweeter" shelter system, or b) relocate to the Twin Cities since they can now be assured of a spot in a temporary shelter.<<<
It's a pretty basic fundamental principle of economics that whenever you provide a product (or service) for a price below the cost of producing it, the quantity demanded of that product will rise to consume all of it. This is why "emergency" food pantries continually report that their numbers of patrons "are at record levels." It's also why there are always waiting lists for subsidized housing--which is what shelter beds are. Homelessness behavior--as with any antisocial behavior--should never, ever be encouraged. It *should* be a tough way to live. The hardship motivates the person to change their life in such a way as to alleviate the hardship. This is not hardheartedness--it is caring of the most vital sort. Some may be incapable of such change because of mental illness. Of these, some can be helped by treatment, some can't. We used to institutionalize the latter; now we don't. Help those who can be helped to rise from homelessness. For those who can't be helped, a very limited number of shelter beds. For those such as Allison who work to provide them, my thanks and appreciation. M. G. Stinnett Jordan REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
