Miami Considering Punishing Those Who Feed The Homeless

If Miami City Commission Chairman Marc Sarnoff has his way, it may soon be illegal for regular citizens to feed the homeless. Violators will be fined and perhaps even face jail time.

Chairman Sarnoff has already drafted an ordinance and plans to introduce it to the city’s commission next month.

According to an article in the Miami Herald, the ordinance, if adopted, would prohibit Miami citizens from feeding the homeless unless they’ve attended a "food safety course" and conduct the feedings only in locations specifically designated by the city. Those folks would also have to bring along porta-potties and sinks.  

Washington D.C. Shelter Staff Accused Of Sexual Misconduct

Toward the end of February I wrote a post titled, Homelessness Doesn’t Define A Person’s Character."

In it, I pointed out that homelessness is a socio-economic condition and not a character trait – and occurs when a person can no longer afford to maintain housing.

Furthermore, despite what some of the general population believe, just because a person is homeless, it doesn’t necessarily make them a "bum." Nor does it make them a person of base moral character.

Unfortunately the homeless are among the most marginalized of this nation’s citizens. Consequently, they are also among the most victimized by some of the so-called "pillars of the community."  

When Johnny Came Marching Home, He Found Himself Unemployed And Homeless

"VA is committed to ending the cycle of homelessness among Veterans. We will use every tool at our disposal – health care, education, jobs, safe housing – to ensure our Veterans are restored to lives with dignity, purpose and safety."
– Eric K. Shinseki, Secretary of Veterans Affairs –

On Friday, the Texas Insider reported that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs was "… allocating $39 million to fund about 2,200 new transitional housing beds through grants to local providers" as part of its efforts to end homelessness among Veterans within five years.  

Phoenix admonishes local church: “Thou Shalt Not Feed The Homeless”

Imagine yourself as a member of a church and being told by local government that you aren’t allowed to do good works in accordance to your faith.

That’s exactly what has happened in Phoenix, AZ.

Since January 2009, the CrossRoads United Methodist Church has been holding a Saturday morning breakfast. However, due to complaints from some of the church’s "neighbors," city officials have ordered the church to cease holding the weekly event – saying that it violates local zoning ordinances which prohibit "charity dining halls" from operating in residential areas.  

A Return On Investment I’d Like To See

I read an interesting opinion column in the Christian Science Monitor on Friday. It was about the how folks in Vancouver, British Columbia, were being impacted due to their city’s hosting of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

One of the first things I noted was the cost.