SOLUTIONS TO HOMELESS PROBLEMS REQUIRE ACTION, NOT TALK

So, you're concerned about the homeless in our midst. You either
don't like the idea they may panhandle you on the street, or you're
filled with compassion that they can't find or afford a roof over
their heads, decent meals or gainful employment.

But are you prepared to pay to do something about it?

That was the bottom line of a forum on homeless issues last week on
the campus of Stetson University put on by the Government Affairs
Committee of the DeLand Area Chamber of Commerce. I moderated a solid
panel of people on the front lines of dealing with homeless concerns
that produced more light than heat.

Michael Arth touted his proposed Tiger Bay Village, which he sees as
a way to convert land near the prison complexes off U.S. Highway 92
in midcounty into a community of the homeless with treatment of
medical and mental problems, job training and counseling. There would
be a minimum of rules against drinking, drugs or prostitution that
make current shelter and care programs unappealing.

Next to him was Lindsay Roberts, who in less than four years has led
Volusia's Coalition for the Homeless from an organization with no
facilities to get people off the streets to the 515 beds available
today. She also set up a framework of coordination to focus the
efforts of the 17 Volusia and Flagler agencies charged with a share
of responsibility.

Randy Croy, executive director of Serenity House, told of steps to
deal with substance abuse and mental illness, and Pam Woods of the
Volusia County School District described the daily struggle to keep
some 1,600 homeless students in classrooms.

DeLand Police Chief Ed Overman reflected the frustration of law
enforcement in determining when a street person steps over the line
into lawlessness, and the Rev. Tom Connery talked of the fine line
between giving assistance or enabling undesirable activities that
affect whole communities.

Stetson sociology professor Chuck Vedder and County Councilman Andy
Kelly brought the issues home to the audience as they focused on the
roles both of individuals and various levels of government in seeking
workable solutions.

Homelessness is one of the least attractive of the ills that confront
us, and offers little incentive for political champions even though
there are imaginative concepts and productive programs that can make
a difference.

But change won't come until enough people tell the keepers of the
purse strings that they want action and are willing to pay for it.

Arth suggested a "sin tax" on booze and cigarettes and drugs (after
his suggestion to legalize drugs is enacted) as a good way to fund
homeless help.

Roberts talked of a per capita payment by governments for the
homeless in their jurisdictions.

These are things we ought to be discussing, to determine whether
those of us who foot the bills through taxes are ready to place
homelessness high enough on our list of priorities that Congress, the
Legislature and local governments will make the resources available.

Until then, it's all just talk.

John E. Evans was a longtime executive with WESH-Channel 2 and former
director of corporate communications for Halifax Medical Center. He
is a regular contributor to this page, commenting on government,
business and life in Volusia County.