Focus on chronically homeless first | Letters to the editor

The homeless problem is mostly about alcohol-addled, drug-addicted, mentally ill people who choose to live outside the realms of society, safety and hygiene.

Agencies, churches and food banks help keep families afloat between paychecks, and shelters can house those who are willing to change their lives. But the chronic homeless need care, too.

I ask the county and cities to explore solutions in other Florida cities that have seasonal surges in homelessness, and consider the Tampa model in conjunction with existing Broward shelters. Not only are long-term housing and social services provided but space is available to move chronic homeless off the streets and into large courtyards where they can camp overnight. They have access to social services and can mingle with others, kind of like “it takes one to know one.”

With all the development in Fort Lauderdale and Broward County, couldn’t commissioners persuade the builders to add bed space to each of the three county shelters, and expand the courtyards, without the challenge of additional sites? We need more bed space and safe space, not more sites. Bring the chronic homeless to shelters rather than to jail or the stockade, which are much more expensive alternatives, and last resorts for repeat offenders.

Unsupervised “tent cities” don’t work. Handouts are not sufficient. A comprehensive, coordinated plan has a chance to lure more troubled souls off the streets and back into society. The chronic homeless are the source of every complaint.

You won’t heal them all, but they’ll have a better opportunity to get well, and fewer will be on the streets. We have to quit handing out quarters or dollars to them, no matter how good it makes us feel. It only helps them die a slower death.

Reunification helps, as well as all the programs in place. We must accept that it takes a village. Just one thing or agency won’t put a dent in resolving our complaints. We all have to work together to make living on the streets harder, and recovery easier.

We are helping homeless people and families who want help. It’s the chronic homeless who are problematic, and solutions must be tough love, for them and for us, if we expect changes.

Amy Hamilton, Fort Lauderdale

The writer has a master’s degree in clinical psychology, worked in addiction treatment and was chair of the initial Community Liaison Committee for the Broward Partnership for the Homeless.

A ready-made shelter

I read the article that Sun Sentinel reporter Lisa Huriash wrote in reference to Broward County wanting to build tiny homes for the homeless.

It’s an absolutely terrible idea to spend $250,000 for 10 homes. I don’t know what their thinking is, or what they were trying to do, but that is a horrible way to spend that money. I suggested over and over: Take one school that the school district plans to repurpose and make it a great big homeless shelter.

The buildings, showers and cafeterias are already there. My goodness, it makes zero sense to do what they’re considering.

Billy Jones, Tamarac

Convert shuttered schools

I have a great idea on how to repurpose Broward schools slated for closure: Convert them to homeless shelters.

The classrooms can easily be converted to dormitories, and most schools have built-in cafeterias to feed them. Community groups currently feeding the homeless will have a much easier time accomplishing their goal. It also gets the homeless out of encampments, to comply with a new state law.

Nicholas Tranakas, M.D., Fort Lauderdale