RE: 'LITTLE BOXES' by Dread Uptown,

True one should be skeptical of any housing plan for the homeless introduced by a mayor who never once have I seen him be remotely involved in actually getting to know the homeless on these streets and who is practically best fiends with the landlord association.

I was working a job at 23rd and love joy on what they call "communal living" affordable housing units; they are isolated boxes priced at the same you could pay for a two bedroom in Gresham with a pool.

What about converting a warehouse like structure into a large room full of bunk beds? 250 bunks at $200/ month = $50,000. You'd get less than $20,000 using that same space for lower end jail cells- I mean apartments.

It may seem like a recipe for disaster accommodating so many in one space but my experience has led me to instead see that people are products of their environment and in a humane living situation tend to share with each other and get along. It happens every night in countless missions across the country, only difference is missions subject grown men to curfews, enforced chapel services, all-day lines, and disrespect.

From experience, I know people on the streets- who often do not have family- would gladly sacrifice privacy (a.k.a. isolation) for a sense of community, an affordable place to store your stuff, sleep when you want, and a place to be during the day.

Even students may like it- school (mixed with life) led me to being homeless a time or two and I can attest that living in a cheap box (apartment) and having nothing but book work to do and too little time for the working world is not a psychologically healthy set-up.

RE: Brian Allan Cobb

Don't know what an oil slick is but I think your talking about what I call smurf pants and elf boots; they are NOT sexy ladies... some guys seem to like them but I miss towns where women dress in some well fit and bright colored t-shirts, jeans, and tennis shoes.

-Eric