I read one of the headlines in today’s Recorder about finding a new “home” for Greenfield’s homeless and briefly thought I might have agreed with Councilman Isaac Mass for the first time, but then discovered that he planned to move the homeless community that has congregated on the Greenfield Common from one outdoor setting to another. So, we obviously disagree.
Utah, a deeply conservative state, has found a solution that works: Give the homeless HOUSING. This approach is also in use for veterans in Pheonix, Ariz., with tiny houses. Utah reduced chronic homelessness by 91 percent, by providing housing. Arizona did the same with its homeless veterans.
Giving the homeless housing may seem expensive at the outset, but it has significant long term cost benefits. Once the folks have an address, they have greater access to employment opportunities, health care, addiction services and food security. Many become tax paying, contributing members of the community.
Most homeless people did not choose their situation. They are people, just like the rest of us, who have fallen on difficult times and a multitude of bad events in their lives snowball until they are homeless. We have an empty hotel on the south end of town. Perhaps there are state or federal grants that could be sought to turn it into efficiency apartments for low income housing and no income housing.
Once they are no longer homeless, these individuals could become employed and transition to low income housing, as they transition to their new lives. Perhaps Greenfield could pilot this initiative with the help of our state representatives. Clearly, the situation has to be dealt with, and it is good to see our City Council members and the mayor focused on finding a solution.
Suzanne Patnaude
Greenfield