Hostile architecture is a growing problem in all 50 states, and North Carolina is no exception. Architecture designed to deter the homeless from sleeping or camping has been increasing in popularity. Whether it’s dividers on benches or gravel underneath bridges, you can see it in the Triangle.
Even the statue in Davidson of homeless Jesus sleeping on a bench is hostile architecture. It means that you can only sit on the edge of the bench. Why do we do so much to keep homeless people from resting? Shouldn’t our tax money go into funding shelters and other aid for the homeless instead of making sure they have no place to sleep?
It seems both cruel and expensive to design areas where someone can't sleep, if it wasn’t for the spikes or the slant. This is something that we need to speak out against as a community, despite the fact that it doesn’t effect all of us. Pay attention to places where you see anti-homelessness benches and other examples of hostile architecture. Stay informed about this issue, and other issues surrounding those without houses.
Lucy McGurk, Chapel Hill resident
