WRITER WAY OFF BASE ON HOMELESSNESS

To the Editor,

Re: Giving housing to the homeless sends wrong message, News
Bulletin, April 24.

I completely disagree with Mr. Ford's statement that "we all know that
the majority of homeless people are on drugs, don't want to work and
would prefer to beg or steal to fund their addictions."

I know nothing of the sort. I believe that everyone who is on the
street has their own set of circumstances that have put them where
they are. Everyone's story is unique, so trying to stereotype homeless
people is counterproductive to changing the situation.

I think many more people are skating on the edge of being homeless
because of intense economic pressure, not because they are drug
addicts and alcoholics. With the right support (housing is a big
start), the majority of the people on the street would choose to leave
the street life behind in search for something better, more dignified
and more self sustaining. Those street people are people.

I also believe that homeless people, given a choice and support would
choose not to be addicted to drugs or alcohol.

But, given a life of homelessness, I think most of us would choose the
same escape. And once addiction starts, it's not so easy to stop. You
need a reason, a good reason. You need to want more from your life.
You need to be given hope.

Giving someone a home and support is giving hope, and although not
everyone will succeed, I believe that most will jump at the chance for
something better, for a life with a future, instead of being seen as
less than human.

We need to have more success stories of people who have gone from the
street to becoming a vital member of the community, then perhaps Mr.
Ford and others could see that sometimes to have to give something to
get something back.

I thank all the people who give their time and energy to help our
fellow citizens escape poverty, addiction, exploitation and a life on
the street. I thank them for seeing that there is potential in every
human being.

SARAH J. CLARK

via e-mail