Why Charging the Homeless for Shelter Is a Good Idea

The operator of a homeless shelter in Los Angeles' Skid Row has hit upon an idea that's both economical and therapeutic: charging residents.

Sure, it's $7 a night ($2 of which is saved for the resident), but in these tough economic times every bit helps. As Sandy Banks of the Los Angeles Times recently pointed out, Union Rescue Mission director Andy Bales wants to change the "three hots and a cot" culture of homeless shelters so that residents don't get too comfortable. Moreover, he had little choice.