Another example of thoughtful analysis regarding a complex issue. In response to an article about the closing of Camp La Guardia and the effects of closing that shelter, (Click here: Shelter Closes, Residents Move on and Fortunes Diverge - New York Times <http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/12/nyregion/12camp.html> ), the president of "The Partnership for the Homeless" wrote this letter to the editor. Not what most might expect from that organization. ======================================================== Homeless in New York (1 Letter) To the Editor:
Re "Shelter Closes, Residents Move On and Fortunes Diverge" (news article, June 12): Camp La Guardia was always a sad symbol of our city's failed strategy to deal with the systemic problems of homelessness. Its closing couldn't happen soon enough. And while shelter still remains a critical safety net, it's certainly no substitute for real, long-term solutions that address root causes. So we congratulate Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg for finally shutting down this facility, which simply warehoused more than 1,000 men on any given night, seemingly punishing them for being down on their luck or for struggling with the challenges of mental health or other disabilities. But let's make certain that the closing of this shelter is truly a signal of change. For a mayor who rightly seeks to understand the metrics of his strategies to assess their efficacy, success here should be measured when we're able to show that for each shelter bed eliminated we've taken that savings and created units of low-income affordable housing. Arnold S. Cohen, President & C.E.O. The Partnership for the Homeless, New York, June 14, 2007 Click here: Homeless in New York (1 Letter) - New York Times <http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/16/opinion/l16shelter.html?n=Top%2fOpini\ on%2fEditorials%20and%20Op%2dEd%2fLetters&pagewanted=print> http://www.partnershipforthehomeless.org/ <http://www.partnershipforthehomeless.org/> ========================================================== Not an "either-or" issue. Not bleeding hearts vs.cold hearted. Not about jerks vs knee-jerks. According to Cohen, solving homelessness is more about efficiency and accountability; more long-term goals rather than seven night stays; more about housing than warehousing; more like www.homelesssolutions.org <http://www.homelesssolutions.org/> than.... =========================================================== But I could be wrong.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-5d5IfdYK4 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-5d5IfdYK4>
