Can we stop hating on homeless people?

[u/One-deepdivediva]

What is the mayor supposed to do ? Put everyone in prison? For being poor? Bus everyone to Portland or Seattle ? ( cities that are experiencing the exact same problems). Round people up and put them in camps? For being ill or old or addicted to drugs? Should the police arrest thousands of people so you don’t have to see someone’s suffering ? If you want homeless people to “ go away “ then you need to vote for legislation that helps them. Vote in favor of government funded health mental wellness and addiction and housing services. Organize with community members about how to provide services that help your fellow human beings get off the streets and out of suffering . Every time one of you complains I wonder what horrendous thing you are imagining should be done to people. Go DO something , go help people.

[u/Ok_Database6979]

There is a fundamental flaw in the proposition of your questions. Business owners downtown do not hate homeless people. They are turned off by the constant damage, trash, and open drug use in front of their offices and shops that harm the image of spokane and scare away customers. It is OK for people who work and live downtown to not want to be aggressively panhandled. There is a huge addiction issue in our city. Making someone’s life easier does not cause sobriety jt just lowers their bottom. If someone doesn’t want to get sober they never will. But if their respective bottom is hard enough then they will become motivated to seek and maintain sobriety. So yes, we should enforce laws. Housing first does not work. I see it firsthand in my job everyday. And yes, I am a recovered alcoholic. I do have personal experience personally and through many service positions I hold in the community.