Regarding the article, “Everett ready to take its cleanup plans to the streets”: Thank you for publishing the work and findings of the Community Streets Initiative task force, which demonstrates the need for change with regard to services provided for addressing homelessness, mental health, and other issues that require our immediate attention. Many are unaware of the need that surrounds these issues, and one of the first step toward change is educating the public. It is critical to bolster support in lobbying Olympia for funding, enhancing the quality of social services and advocating for individuals who have a multitude of unmet basic needs.
It is important to understand the prevalence of the issues being addressed by this task force. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, at any point in time upward of 600,000 individuals in the United States are homeless. Additionally, according to the Centers for Disease Control, we know that roughly 25 percent of the U.S. population has experienced a mental illness in the past year. These staggering statistics illustrate national problems that can begin to be addressed at a local level.
By keeping the public aware of the work being doing by this task force, accountability is created. Please continue to publish updates on the Community Streets Initiative and provide resources for the public to become engaged. These issues cannot be swept under the rug, and city-wide awareness and involvement can help prevent this from happening.
Sara Miller
MSW Candidate, University of Washington
Everett
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