San Rafael opts to hire team for $272,000 to work on homeless problem

[Duer 157099]

http://www.marinij.com/sanrafael/ci_22626118/san-rafael-opts-hire-team-272-000-work?source=most_viewed

I'm not sure how I feel about this. I like that something is being done, but when I read things like this:

Andrew Hening, employment services manager with the Downtown Streets Team, said the vision is to have 12 people pick up trash and beautify downtown San Rafael for 20 hours a week.

and then this:

Under the program, participants receive gift cards each week — typically $100 — for food, clothing and other essentials.

it sounds to me like they want to pay these folks $100 for 20 hours of work. That sounds like bullshit to me. Yeah, I understand what they are trying to do, but still.