Another view on housing and homeless

Mr. Newman: This letter reflects my observations. There are no judgments, pro or con, regarding the homeless.

I disagree with your statement that “there is an empirical connection between a lack of housing and the number of unhoused.” I think that if there is any connection, and I doubt there is, it is minor.

Butte County lost about 14,000 homes in the Camp

Fire. Yet the PIT survey shows an increase in Butte County of roughly 150 homeless after the fire. That is about 10 homeless per 1,000 lost homes. Thus the majority who lost their homes secured other residences.

I think that when the county determines its current and projected shortage of housing units, it takes into account a multitude of factors. For instance, the number of persons that left Butte County after the fire, yet still work there. The interstate migration patterns, as more people leave the Bay Area and move north. The growth of business and industry going on and expected within the county. The growth within the county itself as families multiply. The real estate industry report on supply, demand, and rate of sales. Lots of factors, none of which include the homeless.

Put concisely, the shortage of Butte County homes reflects the growth and migration of those already housed.

Of course, I could be wrong, and you could be privy to information I do not have. I consider you an intelligent and thoughtful person. I just think you’re mistaken in this particular instance.