Dear Editor,
I wish to thank the City of Richmond for their recent excellent community discussions about homelessness.
I attended these discussions after reading two articles in your paper that alerted me to the magnitude of the situation.
I learned that this social situation is growing.
It is in a number of forms from economic homelessness where low-income citizens can no longer afford rents, to folks with serious mental conditions that are left to roam the streets.
Much good work has been done and is being done but the magnitude of the various types of homelessness exceeds the help being provided.
My own conclusions from listening and taking part is that this segment of our society has next to zero political power as most are disenfranchised.
If more assistance was provided now, then the ongoing costs of social services, the police, the courts and jails would be reduced.
Increased assistance now yields cost reductions in the future.
My hope is that the 35 citizens who attended the discussion will work to increase support for this growing segment of our community.
Once again, thank you to the City of Richmond for putting on the discussions and thanks to the Richmond News for highlighting this part of our community.
Eric Sykes
RICHMOND
