Olympia, WA joined the ranks of cities becoming sanctuaries to one and all in January 2017, and as a result, the number of homeless people on the streets has increased dramatically. So, what is the capital of the Evergreen State doing about it? Encourage more homeless to move to the area, of course, by providing what is termed a “mitigation site.” [perfectpullquote align=”right” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=”24″]How long will taxpayers be willing to foot the bill as the population grows exponentially?[/perfectpullquote]
The first of likely many mitigation sites is scheduled to start construction on Dec. 3 and is located at a current homeless camp. Each person will be given a 10-by-10-foot space as well as a tent to put on his or her “land.” There will be running water and bathrooms, and the site will be fenced in for security and privacy.
“The goal of the mitigation site is to be that first positive step for some of these individuals,” said Homeless Response Coordinator Colin DeForrest. “It’s no longer going to be OK to be in the City of Olympia’s parking lot. We’re going to find a better option for you, and if you don’t want to do that, then Olympia might not be the spot for you.”
Hmm, let’s see: free tent, free place to put that tent, free water, bathrooms, and a fence for privacy? No wonder the homeless are flocking to the area. In just three months, the number of people living in tents in Olympia has climbed from roughly three dozen to more than 300. The word is out, and homeless people are taking advantage of their good fortune.
This mitigation site will cost the taxpayers about $100,000. But if it hides the homeless from the general population, it’s apparently worth it to the people of Olympia. How many more sites will the city need to build to keep up with the rush of homeless settlers looking for homes of their own? The first site will house 80 individuals on a first-come, first served basis. How long will taxpayers be willing to foot the bill as the population grows exponentially?
And what kind of message does this send to the working class, who has to pay for everything they have and for all the needs of the growing homeless population? Every necessity is given to those at the camp, so what would inspire anyone to get a job and become a productive member of society?
Sanctuary cities like Olympia encourage not only illegal aliens to the area but also the homeless. Being sympathetic to the less fortunate is honorable, but there are limits. Since the beginning of time, humans have had to work to survive, whether by hunting and farming to put food on the table or working in a trade. By giving people every necessity, we are making them only more dependent upon, and a burden to, the rest of society.
Why not make it a trade arrangement to live in these mitigation sites? Instead of offering everything for free, make the benefits conditional on the residents doing some kind of meaningful work, such as cleaning up parks, to “pay” for their gifts?
Homelessness is a serious issue that needs to be addressed, but offering more freebies isn’t the answer. The taxpayers funding these endeavors had to work to earn their income, so why shouldn’t the homeless be required to do some kind of community service to receive aid?
