There should be some kind of requirement that the homeless folks should either get training towards a job, and that they submit to regular drug tests.
Have their pay for any job go to the county to cover some of the expense of getting free food, room and protection.
Freedom is not free, and neither should help to relieve their situation.

Is it unkind to expect some payback ??

The problem is that many of the homeless are mentally ill and cannot meet your requirements. Letting them die on the streets is not what this country is about.

And many of the physically and/or mentally disadvantaged homeless people became in their position out of service fighting for our freedom!

@Fact Check - You should check YOUR facts. Having work requirements does not automatically mean that there are absolutely no exceptions, such as for mental illness, disabilities, etc. Having been homeless myself and having lived in a shelter, I saw how many of the "homeless" were able-bodied men and women that preferred to trade their welfare benefits for drugs.

Some controls are needed for any program, otherwise the triumvirate of fraud, waste, and able will always make an appearance.



Jim Neal
Old Mountain View

*the triumvirate should have read as 'fraud, waste, and abuse'*

Why am I getting the political advertising face of another TIRED and True, old Democratic Party Pol when I read this article? Does it reflect Abe*Kogas opinion? Is it endorsed by her? Would it be her policy If Abe*Koga 'couldn't resist' running for Supervisor when Simitian retires? Is it also endorsed by her fan/old friend Old Pol US Representative Honda? Enquiring minds - don't really want to know. It's just odd.

Able bodied people on drugs have a disability, or at least a problem that will not likely result in jobs or their pay checks going to the County. Shelters and programs to move homeless to permanent housing provide case workers an opportunity to engage to help people become productive members of society, if we also fund the support services. Harping on welfare fraud won't change anything.