While visiting a beach in L.A., over ten years ago, I was shocked by the number of homeless people in the area. It was not the simple fact that they were homeless that made it a rough experience, but mostly how they behaved. Heckling, intoxicated, literally overrunning public restrooms. Not all homeless people were behaving this way, of course, but enough to make it a problem.
In fact, with those folk present it was impossible to enjoy the area as a tourist destination. It is reason enough not to return to the area in the future.
This translates into lost income for businesses that rely on tourism (and the people who work for them!). And there are whole communities that are supported almost entirely on tourism spending. These communities will suffer if our
only goal is to care for the homeless and, hopefully, get them back into society with stable work and residences. As we know, such grandiose ideas for world harmony and brotherly love ultimately get nowhere; folks like us talk about the right thing to do and might even try to fight for it on some sociopolitical level or another. But these solutions, if they come at all, do not come fast enough for the businesses (and people!) who will lose out so long as the homeless population continues to be a deterrent for tourism.
We have to consider a solution that looks to benefit both sides, because both sides ultimately have valid and sincere reasons for their view points: the homeless need to sleep
somewhere; and tourism economies need to be able to keep tourists returning.
I think what Hawaii is trying, according to the article, is a 'best for now' approach. It's a start!
Is it moral? In the terms of simply hiding the problem rather than helping?
It sounds like from the article they are trying to do both: hide and help.
feel the relocation of the poor and homeless to reflect badly on any state, but sadly I can understand why the state would want to do it. I am interested in what other forumites think. Discuss? Critiques? Any agreement with this policy? And most important any possible solutions?
A tax on tourism industries to help pay for housing and employment services for the homeless might be a great start.
Jon
Love your enemies!