Summer Economics/ CS 2006

Homelessness is a seemingly incurable epidemic in our community of Hawaii. Many plans have been made and put into action to mitigate the spread of homelessness, but to no avail. The number of homeless in Hawaii currently exceed 4,000 men, women, and children, and show no signs of stopping. Senator Gary Hooser had said that “Down on their luck”[1], is a term that is applicable to some, but not all of Hawaii’s homeless. Many can attribute their homelessness to drug or alcohol addiction, or fleeing an abusive relationship.
The ice problems in Hawaii only help to cripple attempts of stopping homelessness, many of the homeless willingly choose to purchase narcotics than to save for a home or rent. Many people unfamiliar to the plights of the homeless would assume that the homeless are to receive all the blame for their position in life. However, many homeless are lucky enough to be employed full time, but the real estate prices in Hawaii are so staggering, that they are unable to afford rent in the most scant of housing. Many homeless also seek work, but who is going to hire someone who’s reputedly homeless over someone who has a house of their own?
Many attempts of the governments have been made to stem the spread of homeless inhabiting public areas like the beach and parks. However, these attempts at public housing for the homeless do not appeal to many homeless because of their strict rules, it’s documented that homeless would rather sleep on a beach where they can come and go as they please, and consume whatever substances they want to, rather than live in a sheltered community that restricts them from doing so.