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Speak up for the needy

The Spokesman-Review

It has been estimated that approximately 10,000 men, women and children are homeless in Spokane. The main reasons for homelessness in Spokane specifically are mental illness, violence, cost of housing and physical illness – in other words, factors that are often out of our homeless neighbors’ control. Homelessness is an obvious crisis, and something needs to be done about it.

One change that could occur would be for the city of Spokane to prioritize this citywide problem and redirect some of its spending to homeless shelters, particularly those with an emphasis on youth programs. Such an effort, one hopes, would help to prevent the generational cycle of homelessness.

Those wishing to advocate for their neighbors, who often don’t have the means to advocate for themselves, should act. Start by writing a letter or an e-mail that addresses this issue and sending it to a city official.

Jessica Sexton

Spokane

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