ASSOCIATED PRESS
Furloughed federal workers and their families who are affected by the partial government shutdown wait in line to receive food distributed by Philabundance volunteers under Interstate 95 in Philadelphia, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019.
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The federal government shutdown is now in its second month. Will it ever end?
Things still look gloomy. But we cling to hope where we can find it.
President Donald Trump offered extended protections for some undocumented immigrants in exchange for a $5.7 billion wall. Democrats suggested $5.7 billion for border security, but not a wall. Two separate proposals go to a Senate vote today. And while no one seems to be budging much, at least efforts to end this mess are continuing. Let’s hope those efforts bear fruit soon, before the shutdown inflicts serious, long-term consequences to the nation’s economic and political health.
Counting the homeless a moving target
The Point-in-Time Count of Oahu’s sheltered and unsheltered homeless continues today, with volunteers surveying Aiea, Pearl City and Waipahu. However, an accurate homeless census could be even more of a moving target than usual.
At least on the mainland, cold weather may drive some homeless uncharacteristically into shelters.
And the partial government shutdown could affect the federal rental- assistance vouchers going to formerly homeless people. If the shutdown continues to drag on like this, these people are at risk of losing housing again, and the count could soon be outdated.