Letter: More support needed for the homeless

Graphic by Lori Deaton

[Regarding “Homelessness, Safety Rank as Top Downtown Concerns,” March 16, Xpress:] I agree that homelessness is the most important challenge facing downtown. It is, of course, a multifaceted issue. In order to move forward with a solution, more support must be provided to the homeless in the areas of affordable housing, mental health and substance abuse treatment and pet-friendly shelters.

I realize that this third item may be the most challenging of all, but as one whose pets are literally part of the family, I understand why homeless people are unwilling to go to shelters if doing so requires them to give up the companionship and unconditional love provided by their beloved animals. These companions contribute to a sense of “home” to us all and freely give the kind of support that allows us to weather many types of challenges. The homeless should not be denied this critical type of support.

While I realize that having a downtown public restroom would most likely require 24/7 supervision, to expect the homeless to refrain from “relieving” themselves in alleys and on streets when they have no other option is simply unreasonable.

— Phebe Watson
Asheville

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

About Letters
We want to hear from you! Send your letters and commentary to letters@mountainx.com

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

5 thoughts on “Letter: More support needed for the homeless

  1. Enlightened Enigma

    Asheville does way more for the ‘homeless’ than 99% of all other places on the planet. get real. It’s a waste.

  2. Frank

    The facet that is most difficult to come to grips with is that the more support you provide the more transient people will arrive in the summer and choose to stay permanently to consume and ultimately exceed our supply of support at which point there will be a need to provide even more. For this reason we have to make tough choices like more mental health care and long-term supportive housing but no low barrier housing.

    • MV

      Yeah, sort of like advertising for more and more tourists when they’re already coming and we have no need to advertise…and these two problems (plus housing issues, raping the natural environment, public distrust of many politicians/consultants/surveys, the understaffed police, our crappy overpriced hospital, failing infrastructure, stressed teachers, pot-holes roads) are deeply intertwined and we’re waiting for a local leader to step forward and voice what every intelligent human knows and try to actually do something about these issues before we plunge off da bluff….

  3. Taxpayer

    Not sure how much more support we can afford. The Days Inn was $13 million plus renovations and annual operating costs to provide a permanent residence for about 80 people. The Ramada will cost COA a couple million. We have yet to reduce the homeless population even 100 people with about 500 left. Asheville isn’t a big enough town to pay $10 million or more every year to support the incoming homeless people we’re attracting.

  4. indy499

    The letter writer’s entire premise is wrong. In her first paragraph she writes,

    In order to move forward with a solution, more support must be provided to the homeless…

    Actually, no we don’t.

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.