Last year, we told y’all about an ordinance that was passed in Little Rock, Arkansas that allowed the city to employ its homeless population. The program made it possible for homeless citizens to pick up trash around the city for $9.25/hour (the state’s minimum wage) for four hours a day + three days a week.
We thought the idea would be a great #CityShare idea that might work in Columbia, so we asked our friends on Facebook what they thought. One of our followers commented, “The way the city council runs things? Hell no.”
However, Mayor Steve Benjamin announced Columbia is finalizing details to work with Transitions Homeless Shelter in an effort to employ homeless citizens to help beautify the city. The beautification projects will include anything from litter cleanup to planting flowers – modeled from the Little Rock ordinance.
“This is one that will be a really, really cool project. This is putting people to work.” – Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin
A couple other comments worth mentioning:
“This is a great idea. When we were honeymooning in Bali, my husband and I kept commenting on how nice it was that people were paid to pick up trash, sweep leaves, etc to keep places looking pristine and provide jobs to those in need.”
“Not sure. Where would they pick up trash? Main street has yellow shirts. We have trash on corner of Sumter and Scott St where homeless hang out under a tree. I used to pick up the trash until no trespassing signs went up. Would we be paying the homeless to pick up their own trash?” – Robin S.
What do y’all think? Join our conversation over on Facebook.
