The city needs sanctioned encampments now, backed by zero- tolerance for unlawful camping and vagrancy in our public spaces.

Other municipalities have learned that by itself, Housing First is not a realistic approach to moving large numbers off the streets when there is a severe shortage of low-income housing.

Building up low-income housing inventory takes years. Honolulu has several thousand homeless to place, and many resist intervention. Meanwhile, the expropriation and abuse of public space by the unhoused continues unabated, frustrating residents and damaging our tourist economy, as well as costing the city lots of money in periodic sweeps to clean up the blight and illegal activity of unsanctioned encampments.

City leaders, be bold and brave! Create a variety of sanctioned campgrounds in the ohana zones: some for car or tent-dwellers, some allowing alcohol, drugs, pets and kids, some self-governing with internal security, some requiring a modest fee for upgrades. Offer a smorgasbord of living options to attract anyone who is living on the edge.

Susan Yamane-Carpenter

Waianae

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