I share the concern of many over the plight of homeless people in our community. I would love to see solutions for the problems they face.

But ideas like buying the former Jefferson Community School building to house homeless people or the purchase of acres out toward the mill for a new campground are ill considered. Has anyone thought this through?

The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness says homelessness can be solved with the right solutions: providing housing, managing an integrated health care system, building employment pathways, fostering education connections, strengthening crisis response systems, reducing criminal justice involvement and building social service partnerships. Preventing homelessness in the first place is one of the top priorities.

Here in Jefferson County, we adopted a 10-year plan for ending homelessness about 11 years ago. I know. Kind of ironic. Homeless people surveyed for that plan said they became homeless because: They aged out of foster care, failed a drug screening, didn’t speak English, were convicted of a crime, lacked childcare, were buried by medical bills, fled domestic violence, were discharged from an institution or jail, had medical problems, suffered from mental illness or abused alcohol or drugs. The vast majority said they were just unable to pay rent.

So what does that suggest? A new campground? An inadequate building that would require a big investment and a staff to manage it?

I would rather see the county invest in staff members who could connect homeless people with the services they need, whether that is suitable housing (probably the first priority) or VA benefits, or health services. Next, I think we need to find ways to help people stay in their homes when they face a crisis. Isn’t that the best way to battle homelessness?

Fred Obee
PORT TOWNSEND