Homeless problem goes deeper than just shelter

The homeless tents in our parks have alerted us to a problem that was hidden prior to the Ninth Circuit Court decision asking for communities to either build shelters or allow homeless access to public spaces. To me, this access could include trash pick-up, open toilet facilities where they exist, and police surveillance for illegal activities until monies for a shelter in our county can be arranged by charitable donations, grants and fund-raising. A shelter should be our ultimate goal but homelessness is a symptom and solving it does not provide a solution to the causes of homelessness. A single disaster makes all of us vulnerable. (California fires?) Please educate yourself. Next year it could be you in that tent.

1. How many children in our schools are homeless?

2. How many homeless people are drug users?

3. How many prefer the nomadic life?

4. How many are mentally ill, handicapped, old, and unable to work?

5. How many are residents or members of our own community? The others are still members of the human family.

6. How many are employed part-time or only earn minimum wage?

I urge you to find out more, then help us find ways to help.

Joy Hummer

Moses Lake