Bathrooms for the Homeless for $250,000? Or Less…

One of the most common problems I hear about from unsheltered homeless people in Greensboro is the lack of access to a bathroom. No home = no bathroom. Often, homeless people are barred from using bathrooms in businesses. So they have to go outside. And that frequently leads to a citation from police, or even jail time.

L.A. has hit upon a unique approach to providing public bathrooms for the homeless, albeit at $250K apiece. (Paid for with private funds.) The high-tech, self-cleaning toilets have features that address concerns that caused previous public toilet ventures (i.e., porta-potties) to fail. But some homeless advocates argue that $250K is a steep price tag for a bathroom, and there are better options.

Meanwhile, back here in Greensboro, we may soon have our own public toilet debate. I’m still waiting to hear if homeless people will be able to use the bathroom in the new Center City Park. The “naming opportunities” at the Park include $15K apiece for each of the bathroom doors. Friends and I recently discussed (only half-jokingly) whether we could raise enough to name one. I’d put “Homeless People Welcome” on the door. It’s not as high-tech as the L.A. option. But it’s $235,000 cheaper!

Update: Well, it looks like the Center City Park people were thinking ahead.