Time to end our homeless disgrace

Re Heartening to see mayor be a leader on shelters, Keenan, June 21 Edward Keenan didn’t mention how desperate the situation is for homeless people with mental-health issues.

As Canada approaches its 150th birthday, our standing worldwide is one that we can be proud of. Unfortunately, close to home is the disgrace of homeless individuals sleeping on our streets — senior citizens and youths with mental-health problems sleeping on bare pavement in the freezing cold and sweltering heat. Some by choice.

People with mental-health and/or drug problems cannot be expected to make proper decisions for themselves. If they carried a gun, they would immediately be incarcerated as being a danger to society. Why can’t this reasoning be applied to individuals who are a danger to themselves? They should be forced into proper accommodations.

Governments closed mental-health institutions without preparing alternative housing. It is incumbent upon us as a caring society to find solutions to this spiralling disgrace. Let’s make this the year that we finally rid our streets of this shameful spectacle. Dina Moyal, Innisfil, Ont. Re Mayor John Tory pushes support for controversial Runnymede shelter in late-night debate, June 21 It was heartening to see Mayor John Tory’s firm position on shelters, in the face of some opposition from councillors.

It recalled the leadership shown by former Toronto mayor Art Eggleton in support of group homes. Eggleton positioned himself firmly against opposing councillors, arguing that the city had responsibilities to its most vulnerable residents that could be best filled by group homes.

Tory’s leadership on shelters was a welcome echo from Eggleton’s day. Alan Broadbent, chairman and CEO, Avana Capital Corporation; chairman, Maytree