“But that was before the city removed the park bench where he held court. Before a new panhandling ordinance made it illegal to ask for money in most places. Before he was given a written infraction for sleeping outside.” Many of America’s cities are booming. In theory, that could result in increased services and less homelessness. In practice, it’s resulted in a lot of removed park benches and new laws. From WaPo: Homeless say booming cities have outlawed their right to sleep, beg and even sit.

+ The NYT on homelessness in Honolulu: Aloha and Welcome
to Paradise. Unless You’re Homeless.