Indigent and homeless people need help.  Yes, there are some people who prefer to be homeless but that doesn't mean we shouldn't reach out and try, not offer, but actually try to help them.

            There are many government and charitable agencies that are available to help.  With over a half-million folks being homeless every night in the United States, there isn't enough help for all of them – and that's a disgrace.  There are those who shun help for whatever reason; be it pride or the unwillingness to apply for help.  There are also those with the inability to, or knowledge of what is available and how to go about applying for it.

            These are the people who will find any place to hang their hat and pay for it with the few dollars they can afford. 

            They don't pay much because they can't afford much.

            Just because they have a roof over their head doesn't mean they don't need help.

            They are ripe for slumlords and other near-do-well renters to charge what they can for rent and provide four walls and a roof – with sometimes questionable living conditions.  Crime is also high in most of these environments.

            Living in a squalid, insect and rodent infected, and high crime rental unit shouldn't be thrust upon anyone.  Being afraid to complain because you might lose the only roof over your head that you can afford is frightening.

            How do you handle that?

            That's where local government, the authority closest to the problem, comes in.  Municipalities have health codes fire codes, and building codes that should be designed and used to help identify the problems in low-income, high residency properties.  The poverty of your tenants should never be an excuse for neglect of their living conditions.

            Current events have brought to light the conditions that some people live in and it is a reminder to municipalities to keep their laws and ordinances regarding property maintenance and all of the other codes that are part of keeping residents safe, up-to-date.  They need to be enforceable and able to stand up in court.

            Municipal inspectors have a hard job.  Property owners are usually quick to disagree with them.  The truth is in the law.  Officials must make sure that what is written cannot be misinterpreted by a judge.  Violators who intentionally hurt the disadvantaged, for their own profit, must be penalized.  

            The municipal inspector can see an electrical outlet without a cover plate and say "that's a hazard".  The private inspector can see the same condition and say "yes, but it's not hurting anyone."  The key to what's right lies in the law.

            Make sure yours is complete and up-to-date.

            It's one way to help people who need it, but are afraid to ask.