Change in Homeless Policy?

For John, BLUF:  We need a better approach to executing our responsibilities to the homeless.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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From yesterday's edition of The [Lowell] Sun, page 2, we have an article on our Lieutenant Governor, Karen Polito, talking about a new policy with regard to housing the homeless.

"Polito:  Baker to end policy of housing homeless in hotels".  The Reporter is Cliff Clark (cclark@sentinelandenterprise.com).

Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said Friday that Gov. Charlie Baker will soon announce changes to the policy of housing the state's homeless in hotels, often miles from where the families have community ties.

"Gov. Baker and I feel there is a much more appropriate way of helping people that are in homelessness to stable housing and a pathway to success, and it does not include hotel rooms," said Polito during a visit to Leominster and Gardner to announce the creation of a new cabinet to strengthen ties between the state government and municipalities.

"Hotels rooms, as part of the shelter system, is a model that doesn't work," Polito said.

As the article details, moving people away from their support structure may make homelessness and its second and third order effects worse than it needs be.  That said, it isn't enough to say no more motel housing.  We need alternative locations.

Of course there is a question of if this will have an adverse impact on the motel business.  Every solution contains the seeds to a new problem.

Regards  —  Cliff