Dear Editor,
Though the article entitled “Homeless Burdened” (April 10, 2006) addressed the fact that EHC LifeBuilders provided 125 extra beds to the homeless in Sunnyvale, readers should also be informed that the temporary winter shelter in Gilroy opened last night and is serving 125 additional people for one extra week this year. The graciousness of the County of Santa Clara, City of San Jose, and City of Gilroy, as well as the fast response of EHC LifeBuilders’ Cold Weather Shelter staff and National Guard personnel, allowed for extensions of these life saving shelters in two communities.
The article also does not address the larger issue. The Cold Weather Shelters serve to get people indoors and safe during the harshest winter months, only temporarily relieving symptoms of a larger social ill. Homelessness should not exist, especially in one of the wealthiest regions of the most resource-rich nation in the world. Simply put – when homelessness exists, people suffer and our community is weakened.
While we absolutely should make every attempt to get people off the streets, out from under bridges, and out of the rain, we should also focus our energies and resources on the roots of homelessness. We need more affordable housing, better mainstream support systems and a better distribution of resources. We need to ensure that everyone in our community has a place to call home. I challenge us all to work together – committing to affordable housing, advocating for stronger support systems, and dedicating resources of time and money – to address homelessness so that our community can thrive.
Jennifer Loving, Chief Operating Officer,
EHC LifeBuilders
