Letter: More than day center is needed

I’m responding to “Council approves day center site purchase” (Jan. 9, The Columbian) and the Vancouver City Council meeting on Jan. 8, which was seriously clueless, a lack of reality.

One big problem with homelessness is the nights. We see them during the day, but the nights are the terrifying time. We need a night shelter that gets folks into a safe place to sleep. This will go much farther in helping to end some homelessness.

The concept that public pooping/peeing will be fixed because there is a day shelter is idiotic. Where do they poop/pee between 5 p.m. and 7 a.m.?

Other issues never really mentioned were how many have addiction issues? They have to want help to overcome addiction. How many have mental health issues, to what degree, and what are the issues? Are they curable between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.?

Perhaps the council members need to live the problem. You must understand issues to fix issues. Regardless of the reason for ending up homeless, helping them is not going to happen by herding them into a day center, then kicking them to the curb at 5 p.m. The concept may look great on paper but lives aren’t lived on paper.