Regarding the Friday letter, “Housing Hope plan too costly”: This person seems to be suggesting that this is some kind of “arm’s length” deal. What does that mean? The term smacks of aspersions either on the part of a council or some other agency involved in this “deal.” I don’t think this kind of letter should be published. If someone has a concern or objection about how things are done in Snohomish, and I have some, the complaints still should be made clear and dealt with in an honorable manner.
I happen to be someone who is familiar with Housing Hope, although not personally involved. My knowledge is that it is run well and applicants are screened thoroughly and assisted throughout the time of help. So what if the taxpayers of this county need to contribute toward the purchase? Is the writer suggesting that unless he personally profits from the other investments the county makes they should not be done? No. This letter smacks of a “not in my backyard” mentality that I abhor.
The idea that there are not homeless, that there are not drug dealers and users, that there are not ex-felons, and criminals, people packing unregistered and registered guns residing around the southeast corner of the Avenue E and Second Street intersection, is to deny that there are not these same kinds of disenfranchised citizens living next to this writer and next to me. It’s a simplistic, non-productive way to look at all these problems staring each and every one of us in the face in our communities.
My only concern any time a community assists the homeless is: Are there jobs to match their needs in a close proximity to the housing? If not, then it is not a proper place in which to place low-income housing or this kind of program. Why? Because these needy, but usually well-deserving, hard-working people need and want work. And if you have them living far from work opportunities they cannot become self-reliant and self-sufficient. Both goals of Housing Hope.
Patricia Therrell
Snohomish
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
