Give tent-dwellers a sense of dignity

Re: Yes, you should be angry about homeless encampments, Feb. 26.

The problem of our homeless population are perhaps the most difficult moral challenge that faces us. It covers a range of challenges: mental health, addiction and the attitudes of all of us.

Let me be personally honest here and ask/answer two questions:

Q. Should this be treated as a national emergency and, whatever the cost to the taxpayer, should it be addressed now?

A. Absolutely!

Q. Would you accept a large-scale needle exchange and homeless shelter next to your home?

A. Almost certainly not. Having experienced Vancouver's East Side, it's not a situation I want to repeat.

I think this is the answer you would get from the majority of homeowners if they were being honest.

So what is the answer? Simplistically it would involve building enough habitation to replace all the low-cost (not affordable) housing that has been lost over the last 10 years. That simply isn't going to happen. There is no real enthusiasm at any level of government to do anything but Band-aid solutions or simply move people on.

I think I side with Marie-josee Houle on this. Let municipalities put aside a large area for these folks to camp in legally while we get around to doing something more positive.

Provide facilities, washrooms, garbage collection, proper shelters and professional help.

Arrange for an appropriately trained police presence to assist (not harass) and protect the residents. Most of all, let's give them some dignity and a sense of community while better minds than mine come up with a more permanent solution.

Frank Taker, Prescott