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There was probably once a time when young American men sought adventure by hopping freight trains, spending nights by campfires, and whittling stray pieces of wood with pocket knives. Poems, novels, songs, and artworks certainly celebrated the romantic life of a hobo.
Today, though, the title of "tramp" or "hobo" does not lure young boys and girls – and homelessness, especially long-term or chronic homelessness, is a serious and complex challenge for our society.
All major cities struggle to balance the rights of indigents with keeping property values high and attracting tourists. From New York to Los Angeles (and sunny cities in between), city councils and mayors have worked to make their cities (especially their business districts) safe, clean, and attractive by setting curfews, banning panhandling, and restricting the scope and nature of charitable assistance to the homeless. How they can do this under the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution, though, is an issue that vexes both municipal law departments and the clinics at the nation’s law schools.
Here in St. Louis, Mayor Francis Slay, county executive Charlie Dooley, and dozens of regional service providers are working together to implement a detailed plan to eliminate chronic homelessness within ten years. Although the St. Louis plan has already had enough success to be cited by the US Department of Housing & Urban Development as a national model, plenty more needs to be done.
This week’s Mini-Poll hopes to measure your attitudes about some of the many issues raised by homelessness – and, as usual, to encourage civic discussion.
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