Find the homeless a safe place to sleep

SALLY WOMER | Olympia • Published January 03, 2013 Modified January 02, 2013

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T he women with children and the young adults have found a safe place to sleep and now they have to sleep in the cold, wet woods? Seems to me the problem is not feces on the sidewalk, but the lack of port-a-potties. For heaven’s sake, there is nowhere these people can live safely except in their cars or near Olympia City Hall. It looks as if I will go to my first City Council meeting. Hopefully we can come up with a better solution.

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I don’t like the sight of people sleeping on sidewalks — it’s a disgrace to our town. However, I don’t understand the city ordinance forbidding sleeping on city property. The shelter for homeless families run by the Family Support Center is full nightly. The women’s shelter run by Sidewalk at local churches is limited to November through February. The Salvation Army’s men’s shelter denial list is a mile long. Neither Salvation Army nor Sidewalk will accept minors, and at this time there is no shelter for homeless youth in the county. So what are all these people to do? How will this ordinance be enforced? Jail people for sleeping outside? I thought there wasn’t enough jail space for those who commit actual crimes. We want less people sleeping on the street? Create more affordable housing! We are worried about public urination? Put up a few portable toilets. And as for the dogs: Are the companionship, protection and warmth dogs afford yet another privilege reserved for those who have homes?
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I just finished reading the letters to the editor on March 17. The letter from John Wasierski Sr. is appalling regarding teen homelessness. Most of these homeless teens don’t live on the streets by choice. Some have parents who can’t take care of them anymore, because of drugs or abuse. Some have no family at all. They do not choose to be in the situation they’re in.
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I am ashamed of my City Council members who voted in favor of banning people from sleeping under the eves of Olympia City Hall, where my tax dollar pays for a security guard to protect this property all night long.