THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 5, 1995 TAG: 9502030203
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 6 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Short : 38 lines
Before it permits construction of a new facility to house homeless people in Downtown Portsmouth, city officials should examine the facts carefully.
Many newspapers and magazines across the United States have reported in recent months that the number of truly homeless people in this country has been grossly exaggerated by advocates seeking public assistance for their projects.
Portsmouth proponents seek to locate the proposed $500,000 building, described a story in this issue of Currents, to house 40 or more persons in the Downtown area. Yet, seldom do as many as 40 people turn up at local churches who open their doors to provide hot meals and warm beds for whoever knocks.
There is no doubt that some people are homeless and in need of help. If they choose, they can become involved in programs already in place to help them.
But many are street people by choice. Some are very candid, willing to admit they'd rather live on the streets than to deal with the discipline of society's more conventional arrangements.
No one questions the motives of the proponents of the nent shelter or the need to get people off the streets in cold weather.
But, admirable as the goals may be, Portsmouth does not need a magnet for homeless people from other cities in the middle of Downtown, where the city has spent big bucks to attract new businesses and new residents to the city.
City officials should be wary of providing valuable Downtown land for this project. Volunteers for the homeless should start looking elsewhere if they intend to pursue the project to the end. by CNB