Guest column: Homeless issues in dire need of attention ... and a solution
The issues surrounding the homeless population in Jacksonville are in dire need of attention, assistance and solution. For too many years there has been far too little fruitful consideration to solving the problem.
There are agencies that provide food and limited overnight shelter, but leave the homeless without a place to secure their belongings, bathe and seek shelter from the elements during the day. Because of the one-bag limit on what can be brought into the overnight facilities, even those who are being productive during the day must choose between protecting what things they have left and sleeping indoors. They choose to sleep outdoors to keep all that they own.
The city can — and should — partner with these agencies to fill the gaps that leave our homeless residents vulnerable.
Homelessness occurs for various reasons. Our charge is to help those who (for whatever reason) cannot help themselves. A viable, plausible vision and workable plan to address the needs of our homeless brothers and sisters is to provide a dormitory-like facility in which to live ... a facility that provides safety from predators, business machine access for those seeking a fresh start, mental health assistance for those in need and an overall sense of well-being until better times befall them.
The dormitory setting is one of many options available for housing; another is tiny house communities.
Political leaders have the power to enact policies and processes that can move us closer to solving the homeless problem in our community. We cannot dictate how the wealthy dispense or disperse their personal finances. However, we offer many incentives and tax breaks to corporations in various industries in hopes of convincing them to establish or increase their presence in the Jacksonville community.
A contingency and claw back connected to a predetermined matrix that supports processes that address the homeless situation is one way to ensure that the tax breaks afforded these corporations generate dollars that are used to improve the quality of life for so many of the citizens of Jacksonville.
Yes, those who are homeless are still citizens. They cannot continue to be ignored and underserved.
Dr. Omega Allen served 10 years on the Advisory Committee of the Northwest Jacksonville Economic Development Fund, and was its board chair for four years. She is a former mayoral candidate for the City of Jacksonville.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Guest column: Homeless issues in dire need of attention and solution
