Homeless Accomodations

I was completely shocked while reading the story “Homeless Deaths Reach ‘Crisis Point’” during my lunch break. Is Santa Barbara really considering making new accommodations for the homeless? Do we not have enough homeless people already and want to attract more? This is probably one of the most accommodating cities for them. The weather here is one of the mildest climates in the United States, we do not need a warming center built with taxpayers’ money for times of “bad weather.” This article even mentioned that one of the homeless shelters was not at capacity during the stormy weather because the rules were too strict. The counties money should be used for beneficial programs for those who work hard and need a little extra help.—Alexandra Christine

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Santa Barbara should not just focuses on shelters, but on programs and workshops that allow the homeless a chance to reverse their current situation.

I feel personally that not much is done to help the situation and the city has the resources to do so. In Santa Barbara there are several places that welcome the homeless and offer them shelter, but citizens and authority figures are ignoring the real issue at hand; homeless individuals need resources or programs to aid them in getting on to the correct path. I personally have seen such programs at work, and have been a huge success. I was a board member for a drug and alcohol program where we invited two homeless men to join our board and be a representative for the homeless population. In such meeting we were given an insight into what happens on the streets and what type of assistance they require. They need us to take action now!—Kirstin Hadjis, UCSB student and CALPIRG Hunger and Homelessness Intern