City government short on addressing homeless

I believe most local citizens and political leaders care about homeless people. But the money trail leads to a different conclusion.

I asked the person in charge of managing Fayetteville’s city budget how much local tax revenue is budgeted for efforts to help homeless citizens. He said in 2018 the city has given $160,000 in two gifts to help support programs of 7 Hills, our main charity that serves the homeless. You might remember the headlines.

The real news is we are doing nothing on an ongoing basis as city taxpayers. There is not one employee paid with city tax receipts whose job is to help homeless residents. The police, school personnel and other public servants help homeless citizens, but it’s not their primary responsibility.

Our strategy appears to be to lie low and leave it to charities, churches and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. And, of course, the schools and police as they are impacted.

We would be up the creek without a paddle if not for 7 Hills, the Salvation Army and HUD grants. But the 7 Hills website says homelessness in Benton and Washington counties increased from 1,170 men, women and children in 2007 to 2,951 in 2017. That’s double plus half again — 150 percent. Fayetteville’s total population increased 85 percent in the same period.

This problem, which gets worse every year, is our problem. Fayetteville citizens’ and taxpayers’ problem. The mayor’s and city council’s problem.

We need local leadership for a local strategy and local programs that we pay for. Churches, charities and HUD should supplement our efforts and our budget.

Meanwhile, I hope homeless citizens will stay visible on street corners. Maybe one will run for mayor in the next election. HOWELL MEDDERS

Fayetteville