The homeless problem here, and in all the Pacific Northwest, is something to take note of, but more importantly, take action in.
The city of Vancouver’s Affordable Housing Fund, which will increase the amount of housing opportunities for lower income individuals and families, is only one step in the right direction. The next big issue to tackle is the mental-health crisis causing a good chunk of the homelessness crisis in our area.
When Ronald Reagan was president, the decision to discontinue public funding to mental hospitals is one that heavily impacted those who are unable to work due to a mental condition. We as the public cannot selfishly unfund these institutions.
Washington needs to take the lead in both the mental-health crisis and the homeless crisis and put our citizens’ tax dollars toward funding mental institutions to assist those suffering from mental illness, including addiction and homelessness. With time it will benefit our communities, and our psyche.
