Homeless need help, not hassle

I respond to last Thursday’s Dispatch article “Removal of homeless camp sought.” The “need” to remove the camp is linked to a robbery and stabbing on Wednesday near W. Broad St. and the camp. Yet Emerald Hernandez is quoted in the article as saying that only two people inhabit the camp in question and that neither one of them was involved in the robbery.

This is a clear case of blaming the victim without any proof of culpability. The camp is, no doubt, an eyesore and, probably, a public health hazard. But the more critical problem is lack of appropriate, affordable housing and long-term support for those who live without homes in our community. St. John’s Episcopal Church and other faith-based organizations have developed relationships with neighbors experiencing homelessness and are consistently frustrated in our efforts to secure needed treatment and permanent supportive housing for our friends.

The city of Columbus and the Shelter Board must come to terms with the realities of homelessness in our community. People experiencing homelessness may have problems, but they are not the problem. Lack of needed services, lack of truly affordable housing, community leaders who would rather hide the issues than resolve them, and businesses who are more interested in profit than people are the real problem.

Do not blame an entire population of people for isolated acts. Let’s fix the real problems and stop blaming the victims.

The Rev. Lee Anne Reat Vicar St. John’s Episcopal Church Columbus