Housing First needed

Dear editor:

Approximately 2,700 homeless people live in Arkansas alone. According to the University of Texas, each homeless person costs taxpayers about $14,480 per year, totaling just under $4 million. Many of these homeless people suffer from mental illness or addiction or are veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Because the homeless can have difficulties finding help with these illnesses, many are not able to maintain a stable residence or employment.

Creating a Housing First program, although unrealistic due to the stigma of addiction and mental illness, could help by providing a place for the homeless to live and resources to help mental health and addiction.

According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, these programs save taxpayers approximately $2,000 per year, and the majority of homeless people helped by these programs remain housed and experience improvements in their mental health or addictions. While the most effective solution may be unlikely due to prejudice, creating a local council within our government to call attention to the stigma and secure resources for the homeless may be the first step toward getting a Housing First program and lowering the percentage of homeless people in Arkansas. Madison Esteves Hot Springs Village