Published: 12/22/2020 4:33:31 PM It is a total puzzlement to me that the homeless are forced to live on the streets anywhere in thi...
Published: 12/22/2020 4:33:31 PM
It is a total puzzlement to me that the homeless are forced to live on the streets anywhere in this city. I know how aware this community is of the plight of the homeless. What is stopping us from creating homeless quarters?
The city can prioritize local funding and access grants to purchase a building. They can establish a “community safe home” in which efficiency apartments are available to anyone who is homeless. This community safe home will be open all day long (instead of kicking folks out at 8 a.m. for the day) and provide permanent homes. Providing efficiency apartments will address the fear that some homeless have of unsafe conditions — and dehumanization — they experience in shelters.
Once established, the city will need to establish ordinances that prohibit living in the streets because of the availability of permanent housing. No one should be homeless on the streets of Northampton.
Why not?
Elaine Kersten
Florence
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