The First Homeless Mayor?

Mayor Mackie Choice of the I-45 overpass homeless city in Dallas has a few choice words for Dallas Mayor Laura Miller and her plan to end homelessness as soon as possible.

1 minute read

March 28, 2006, 7:00 AM PST

By David Gest

"Dallas is trying desperately to thin the homeless ranks, fearing they may endanger its cherished downtown renaissance. Along the way, the city has drawn the ire of homeless advocates and a climb to sixth on the National Homeless Alliance's list of 'America's Meanest Cities.' But no matter what combination of carrot and stick Dallas employs, longtime camp dwellers like Choice are unlikely to respond to either."

"For a homeless mayor, keeping a camp population deeply distrustful of authority in line is no easy task. National figures put the level of mental illness among the chronically homeless at better than 50 percent. Alcohol and drug addiction may be even more common. 'I have never hurt anybody in here,' Choice says, 'but if push comes to shove I'll do what I have to do.'"

Read the full story: The Mayor of Boxville

Thursday, March 23, 2006 in The Dallas Observer

Government / Politics Housing Texas

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