Urban pioneers get new challenge [Editorial 10-12-03]

"President Bush pledged to end chronic homelessness in 10 years. That commitment will be an empty promise and a lost opportunity if Congress doesn't follow up with a concerted federal investment."*

* http://www.oregonlive.com/editorials/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/editorial/1065873915272280.xml

Homelessness is a disgrace upon America. It should be the first priority for every housing authority or related agency in Oregon. The Oregonian is right to call attention to this tragic yet fixable problem. However, before any more federal or any other kind of public housing dollars are spent in Multnomah county our community needs to have a public discussion entitled, "Where Do We Put Them."

Every political and community leader as well as the business and media establishments must be willing to put the issue of WHERE we intend to put those in need of housing assistance on the public agenda. If the ruling class isn't ready to require the Housing Authority of Portland to reveal its public records by neighborhood instead of zip code and if all of those folks aren't ready to support distribution not concentration as a public housing policy and if all of those folks aren't ready to say, "sure, put a couple hundred low-income housing clients on my block" then don't ask for the money. You're not ready to use it.


Richard Ellmyer
Portsmouth neighborhood, North Portland