February 9

Some one told me a couple of years ago that the reason government was so inept at responding to the homeless problem is it’s never been government’s problem until the aftermath of the recession. The nonprofits have been able to pretty much handle it until the numbers doubled suddenly.  A few “vagrants” swept from sleeping in the doorway of a business wasn’t news. Now every government official needs to know who the homeless are. They can no longer be neatly pigeon holed (I would contend that’s never been possible but there were so few homeless, society’s misconceptions touched fewer people). 

When I don’t know how to respond to a situation I look to the experts.  The handle on our 2001 Nissan trucks tailgate broke. After buying the broken part on line, my husband and I have concluded we can’t replace it. Too many pieces, too little experience. It’s time to get an expert.

You’re in over your head Ted. You don’t know enough about the homeless in our city to figure out how to deal with them. Your ignorance is having a very negative effect on their lives. There are experts. They are primarily the nonprofits who do not accept federal money. The reason they don’t is because if they do the government demands they behave in ways that won’t meet the needs of most of the homeless. But they are the true experts. Lisa Lake, Steve Kimes, and Ibrhim Mubarak are among this number and they are asking to share their knowledge with you. You and the counsel instead insist on responding to the needs backwards and dehumanizing with sweeps, arrests and prejudice.  I don’t know what your religious background is. But I do know nearly all religions recognize a responsibility to the poor. I can think of no poorer person than one that sleeps on the street.  

Frani