Homelessness in America is a problem that has no real solution...at least not yet. As a quality of life issue, the question soon becomes how much of your quality of life are you willing to give up to increase their quality of life? This is a concept not dissimilar than redistribution of wealth. What will you give up in order to lift up the other guy?
And, should the litmus test really be "hurting someone?" You hear that all the time..."they only did (insert whatever), they're not hurting anyone." For the sake of argument, let's say The Villages decided to be "compassionate," and took 100 acres of preserve land and designated it as an approved homeless camp. Restaurants could bring leftover food for donations. Portable toilets could be delivered. Fresh water and outdoor showers are easily brought in. Now, let's say that YOUR house is right around the corner from this camp. Do you think you would be "hurt?" What would happen to your property value? Would you still feel the same level of compassion, or would you quickly become a NIMBY (not in my back yard)?
If you were a seasonal resident, and arrived at your Villages home on October 1st to find four homeless folks camping on your lanai, what would be your first inclination? Call the police (no compassion), or invite them in for dinner (lots of compassion)? It is easy to feign benevolence when the problem is distant. It is much tougher when it is in your face. This is why, since there are no real solutions to the homeless question, the most prevalent answer is to move them along...and make them someone else's problem. It may be sad, but it is true.
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