Eviction rate problem should remedy itself

Hawaii's souring economy is being blamed for the rising number of rental unit evictions.

While this is cause for concern, it should not result in large scale government involvement. In the long run, providing housing subsidies and other similar projects do more harm than good.

The primary reason for the rising eviction rate is that tenants are either unable or unwilling to regularly pay rent. Landlords, of course, want to find tenants who can afford higher rents and pay on a timely basis.

Yet because of the lackluster housing market, economic forces will sooner or later cause a decline in rent rates. Once this happens, rent will be more affordable.

Although a quick fix would be to step in and try to help those who are being evicted, any government action is unlikely to remedy the underlying problems -- the causes -- of the evictions.

While it is human to want t o help such people, we must understand that any action is likely to cause more harm than good to the real estate market.