Space rule would cut bed availability at homeless shelters

[TexasTowelie]

Eight Hawaii homeless shelters estimate they would be forced to collectively eliminate 662 beds under changes proposed by the state Department of Human Services.

The number of available beds is a critical part of ongoing homeless sweeps conducted by county and state officials, who regularly check with homeless shelters to ensure there are enough beds to comply with court rulings that homeless people caught up in sweeps need to have a safe place to go.

DHS’ proposed changes would require shelters to carve out 10 cubic feet for each sleeping area.

For Waikiki Health’s Next Step Shelter in Kakaako, increasing each clients’ space to 10 cubic feet from 6 would cost the shelter 100 of its 230 beds.

Read more: http://www.staradvertiser.com/2016/11/21/hawaii-news/space-rule-would-cut-bed-availability/

[lapfog_1]

1. the article cannot be correct

a standard "tiny" bedroom in the US is 10 x 10 x 8 (low ceiling)... or 800 cubic feet, enough to house 80 people at 10 cubic feet per person.

Perhaps they meant 10 feet per dimension or 1000 cubic feet?

[TexasTowelie]

2. I agree with you that the math does not look correct.

It would be like stacking coffins in a room with no way to open the lids if those dimensions are correct.

I'm thinking that it might mean ten linear feet per person which would be sufficient to have a bed with some space in between for either aisles or to store belongings.