Edwards’ comments on homelessness not OK

I was shocked and appalled at Gary Edwards’ statements concerning the homeless, as reported in your front page coverage of the recent County Commissioner’s meeting. After quickly deciding not to move forward on a proposed 0.01 percent sales tax increase in order to help pay for affordable housing programs, Edwards “began joking around” about the local homeless situation, saying he favored shipping them all (the homeless in rural and outlying areas) to downtown Olympia, where all the services are.

There is already a crucial shortage of available low income and affordable housing in this area which is contributing to the growing numbers of people who find themselves homeless. The city of Olympia is already stretched with attempts to effectively deal with this problem and to provide more shelter and housing options. This is a regional issue and needs a regional solution. Commissioner Edwards’ cavalier and disdainful NIMBY attitude toward the issue of homelessness does nothing to contribute to creative solutions to this growing civic and public health problem and reinforces the attitude that it is someone else’s problem. We all need to work together to address these issues, not joke about passing the buck, disguised as caring.

This story was originally published August 17, 2017 at 5:23 PM with the headline "Edwards’ comments on homelessness not OK."