Ken Green’s suggestion for a National Homeless Army (ADN Letters, April 23) is excellent, but please allow me to elaborate and modify it a bit. The federal government need
not create a huge new bureaucracy in order to implement such a plan. And on the other hand it could actually be somewhat broader and serve as an overall stabilizer in our economy.
The federal government could fund local governments, including states, counties, etc. — as well as nonprofits and federal agencies — to hire anyone who wants to work at a livable minimum wage, providing all those services Mr. Green mentioned, and more. Only those unable to work would then be eligible for pure “welfare” support.
As Mr. Green noted, those who prefer to work in the private sector — when, for example, the economy is booming and higher wages are offered there — would switch, reducing public expenditures while increasing tax revenues, preventing overheating.
But when the economy weakens and people are thrown out of work, they would have an alternative that would also help to maintain purchasing power in the economy. In other words, the plan is counter-cyclical, stabilizing the economy.
There would undoubtedly still be those unable to work — or able to work but unable to manage their own housing — for whom further solutions would be required. But this would be a huge start.
— Rick Wicks
Anchorage
Have something on your mind? Send to letters@adn.com or click here to submit via any web browser. Letters under 200 words have the best chance of being published. Writers should disclose any personal or professional connections with the subjects of their letters. Letters are edited for accuracy, clarity and length.