Pragmatism needed with homelessness issue

If the city council majority repudiated its continuing violation of the basic human rights of Chico’s homeless, nothing would change. Chico’s merchants would complain and neo- cons would rail against handouts as the parade of suffering returned to the streets. The shortage of affordable housing, often cited in this paper by all constituents in the fray, is the problem. The homeless, by definition, have no place to go but our public spaces, or as the council majority sees it, anybody else’s.

A solution has been offered: Five acres donated as a campground for the indigent in exchange for an easement. The dispossessed would have a place to be without surrendering their liberty, and the city could clear its civic conscience. However, hardliners have lost their pragmatism in favor of mulishness. Compromise is surrender in council chambers, so keep them moving, and hang the expense.

A campground maintained by some support from the city and the continued efforts of volunteer groups and the campers would provide some semblance of stability and a focus for assistance and rehab efforts. People who want to help could see their efforts without fear of citizen’s arrest by the militia-minded.

It’s way past time to act. For pity’s sake, if Nixon could swallow his anti- communist pride and go to China, can’t we step up and follow our humanitarian and/ or religious principles?

— Phillip Hemenway,

Chico