I spoke with a homeless lady (about 35 years old, reasonable, hapa, homeless for about 5 years)  on Sunday at the car wash on Beretania and Keeaumoku. I asked how the sweeps are affecting her, and she said that she just does not have much stuff anymore. She said the IHS shelters are full of bed bugs, most people she knows use them only as a last resort because they are so gross. I said that I disagree with the sweeps, and wondered what she wishes the City would invest in to actually help people like her. She praised the efforts to get people into homes. But added that "people like me" - who have extremely bad credit - will never get approved for rentals, and never get hired for job - after years of trying, she felt there is little point in trying. So two things occur to me: 1. Why does IHS have a near-monopoly on homeless services in Honolulu? Their "make people bottom out" philosophy is so harsh and judgey. 2. What can we do to help people in poverty (re)build their financial lives?