
                         THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
                 Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, June 14, 1994                    TAG: 9406140007 
SECTION: FRONT                     PAGE: A14    EDITION: FINAL  
SOURCE: Medium 
DATELINE: 940614                                 LENGTH:

`SHOOTING FROM THE HIP' ON THE HOMELESS

{LEAD} I thought I might continue to abide editorial page editor John Barnes' ``shoot from the hip'' editorial commentary. However, his apparent confusion over the difference between his ill-formed opinions and anything resembling actual, objective facts threatens to turn the editorial page into a regrettable forum dedicated more to the display of his contemptuous attitude for any efforts undertaken by the current administration in Washington than toward a forthright discussion of the challenge facing our country and community.

``Homeless hype'' (editorial, May 25) opines that the Clinton administration would be smarter if it adopted an approach similar to that used in Michigan, where the state contracted with the Salvation Army to administer homeless assistance. The editorial suggests that the Clinton administration ``help those private groups who have a real track record.'' While the Salvation Army does very commendable work, individuals seeking publicly funded assistance should have alternatives to embracing a particular religious philosophy prior to receiving that assistance. I recall something regarding establishment of a state religion possibly affecting that decision. In addition, the Salvation Army can scarcely be described as a small, community-based organization of the type proved to be most adept at meeting specific community needs.

{REST} If Mr. Barnes had bothered to conduct even the most rudimentary research, he would have found that the overall trend in HUD programs is to push funding down to the grass-roots level, where private non-profits can develop and implement programs that address specific needs within the communities.

Perhaps Mr. Barnes is pining for the good old days of Sam Pierce and Jack Kemp, the HUD secretaries under Reagan and Bush, best remembered for gross corruption and general ineptitude, respectively. Should Mr. Barnes bother to make a few simple inquiries, he would find out that a large percentage of proposed homeless assistance in fiscal 1995 will be statutorily dedicated to community-based, private non-profits. HUD is proceeding with a reorganization that will eliminate an entire level of bureaucracy, putting states directly in contact with the federal level instead of communicating through a regional office.

What is particularly galling is Mr. Barnes' extraordinary opinion regarding the scarcity of homeless families. Has he even bothered to call the local homeless providers to ask them how many families they turn away? Has he ever been to a homeless shelter? Unless your newspaper has abdicated any pretense to legitimate journalism, it had better look for an editor who can at least research his topics.

DAVID SMITH

Norfolk, June 2, 1994 by CNB