Invite a homeless person into your home for a night or two

Re Homeless to be evicted from valley, Jan. 7

Last week, while hurrying from Union Station to a theatre on Yonge Street, I manoeuvred around a number of people cocooned in sleeping bags, the garbage that surrounded them staking that spot on the sidewalk as their terrain. It was interesting seeing the hurried citizenry flowing around those hardy winter residents. They were obviously used to such solitary encampments.

Toronto will never be able to cope with the homeless epidemic, but a solution may be in the hands of the those very vocal homeless advocates. They can do something to alleviate the problem of overcrowded shelters. Just go downtown and invite one of the destitute home for an evening or two. Provide the pleasure of a clean bed, a warm shower and perhaps laundry facilities. The next day, the person should be provided with a lunch, and money for public transit to return downtown, the best place to panhandle.

Just imagine if this act of compassion gripped others who keep demanding authorities act. Not only would it address the homeless issue, but would also enhance Toronto’s image.

Garry Burke, Oro-Medonte, Ont.

How can the city, in all conscience, force people off the only place where they can protect themselves to some extent from the winter weather without providing them an alternative? How have we become so callous about human life and our fellow human beings? Shelters are overfull, so there is no room for the homeless there. It is unconscionable to force them to try to find other shelter when there is none that will keep them warm and dry in the city.

Beatrice Cleary, North York