Do They Get Fresh Towels, Too?

It has been reported that Massachusetts taxpayers are footing a $2 million monthly bill to house the homeless in motels.

A record number of families are being put up in motels in Massachusetts. High unemployment and the rising number of home foreclosures is the reason the state is taking this action.

Housing Massachusetts’ homeless is costing tax payers around $2 million per month. It costs an average of $85 per night to have families, including nearly 1000 children, stay in motels.

The Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness admits that the use of motels for the homeless is not ideal, but is the best that can be done at this time.

Homeless advocates are worried that families are not getting the support of shelters with living rooms, kitchens, and play areas.

Does that come with a guarantee that we won’t get accosted on the streets of the city by these people? Certainly they must be getting free meals in addition to taxpayer subsidized room and board? Are these people even required to perform some services in exchange for this benefit? Perhaps picking up litter in the streets? Or is the state just flushing this money down the toilet without doing anything to make these people either earn what they getting, or helping them get jobs to pay for it? I know the economy isn’t in great shape (thanks goes to the federal stimulus for doing such a great job turning things around) but there is clearly a source of cheap labor here that ought to be taken advantage of. There’s enough trash in the city for all these people to clean up. They don’t need a free ride on our dollar. 

Matt Margolis is co-author (with Mark Noonan) of Caucus of Corruption: The Truth About The New Democratic Majority. He also blogs at The Buffalo Bean. Follow Matt on Twitter.