Is Alaska tired of its leadership’s continued fumbling of its homelessness issues yet? If not, we should be. From outside the city gates, it is painful to watch Anchorage wallowing in ineptitude. I’m fed up just reading about it. Thank heavens I don’t have to experience it. Another closing of the Sullivan Arena with no plan as to what happens next? The numerous causes of homelessness seems to be a topic passed around in governing circles like a hot potato. This game simply ends up with finger-pointing and time-wasting attempts to duck blame.
Alaska, and apparently all of America, is swamped with homeless troubles that are not going away, are just getting worse and are not being dealt with properly.
A National Homeless Army could be established. Trying to shoehorn people who have ended up without a residence back into the heavy responsibilities of house ownership or paying inflated rent is a futile effort where isolation and relapses are inevitable. Forking out free shelter, sustenance and medical care is an expensive, fruitless and endless task that leads to increased dependence and tax burden. The military system provides all these “creature amenities” necessary for survival in exchange for “service” while offering job and skill training.
Government leaders can identify the shortcomings in their designated areas and the resultant unfulfilled responsibilities. This would provide a homeless army with a necessary “enemy.” A homeless army could be assigned to clean up the messes wherever they may be — trashed cities, environmental degradation, medical assistance, office clerical work and even helping the homeless. In exchange for this service work, stability, housing, meals and medical attention is provided and training is available.
Like the military, those who wish to stay and advance in such a system could. Those who are able and wish to leave would be free to do so. A little tweaking of the idea here and there would make such an “army” structure not only plausible, but also profitable. It would be an offered route out of homelessness and despair rather than hammering “square” people into “round” housing and expecting that the problems would be “done and dusted” that way.
Our taxes are well spent on necessary defense, but too much is given away needlessly or spent incompetently. A safety net is needed. The homeless are an untapped army of wealth for the state and the country.
— Ken Green
Cooper Landing
Have something on your mind? Send to letters@adn.com or click here to submit via any web browser. Letters under 200 words have the best chance of being published. Writers should disclose any personal or professional connections with the subjects of their letters. Letters are edited for accuracy, clarity and length.