Homeless lose a refuge with new closing time at Washington National Airport

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Headline revised to reflect reality. "National Airport" is what everyone in the area calls the place.

Virginia Politics

Homeless lose a refuge with new closing time at Washington National Airport

By Rachel Weiner October 31 

For the past year, Rogelio Molina has lived at ... National Airport.

When he beds down at night on a heater between the security gates, he wears the same polo shirt he needs for his job as a cleaner at Washington Sports Club in Columbia Heights. He has a lock for his suitcase, wrapped with a cord around a pole. He has a friendly relationship with the garbage collectors.

Molina won’t be able to call the airport home for much longer. Starting Monday, ... National, which for years has been open 24 hours, is closing its doors from 11:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., shuttering a de facto shelter for dozens of homeless people that has grown under its roof.

Friday night into early Saturday morning, Arlington County staffers and advocates for the homeless circled the terminals, gently telling sleepers that in a few days they would have to move on. If the homeless stay in the airport Monday night, the officials explained, they could be arrested for trespassing.

[murielm99]

1. I hate to see this.

They are doing no harm.

I have seen the homeless at both Chicago airports. During the day, they try to look like travelers. They dress in threadbare but passable suit jackets, and carry a suitcase. They keep moving. I have a feeling they have a relationship of sorts with the overnight workers there.

[FLson]

2. Dumb idea here

Why not those who support and sympathize with the plight of the homeless, band together, take five dollars out of their wallet every week and work to purchase a space these folks can inhabit. In exchange for five bucks, four hours of volunteer time (cleaning the place and keeping it presentable), or five bucks worth of scrap metal, the folks get dinner, breakfast and a bagged lunch. This will let them work their little jobs if they have one, sleep somewhere safe, and get cleaned up. And other charity groups can go there and help with job matching programs, substance recovery, and mental health needs.

I'll kick in $100 to get things started, get another million folks, put it into trust. Put the trust's assets into fixed and guaranteed investment platforms, and use the income to maintain and build shelters.