Letters: A different way to spend $10M on homelessness

Of the 2,000 people that are unhoused in greater Indianapolis today, what would happen if you gave each of them $5,000 in cash? Because that’s what $10 million is for 2,000 people—about $5K each [“City receives nearly $10M in federal money for homelessness efforts,” IBJ.com, May 2].

If you gave them cash, I’m sure some would waste it. But I think some of the people would use that money to start paying rent. Or to get new clothes for a job. Or to buy a vehicle.

I don’t know if this is a viable solution. But doesn’t it seem like in a lot of cases, $5,000 would be enough to dramatically and maybe permanently change the life of a Hoosier with no reliable, safe place to sleep?

—Robby Slaughter