Note: The Lawrence Times runs opinion columns and letters to the Times written by community members with varying perspectives on local issues. These pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Times staff.
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To the Editor,
Ironically, the same Lawrence Cares business owners who were, only a few months ago, demanding the city do something about unhoused folks bothering businesses are now recommending a “NO” vote on the proposed 5 cents per $100 increased sales tax to continue and expand the very programs the city has developed to address their concerns.
Reportedly, they are against the very small sales tax increase “because of concerns about a lack of transparency for the funding.” All they need do is read the Lawrence Times and Journal-World to know how the funds are being spent.
With help from the City, the Lawrence Community Shelter increased its capacity from 25 guests to 125, plus additional cold weather overflow capacity. Fifty new pallet cabins comprise a village of dry, secure housing for those in transition from homelessness, with more pallet cabins (already purchased by the City) about to be placed behind the Lawrence Community Shelter to expand this transitional housing option. The Shelter is rehabbing Monarch Village, creatively designed and built by KU architecture students, to make it habitable again. The Shelter Board has hired a capable Executive Director and expanded staffing with increased City funding.
Campsites of those experiencing homelessness have been addressed with compassion, skill, tenacity by the collaborative Homeless Response Team for folks living with some of life’s most complicated challenges. And when campsites need to be closed, the City’s Homeless Response Team is on the ground daily to facilitate humane and caring transitions. They do some of the hardest work anyone can undertake.
The City is actively tackling our lack of affordable housing through multiple partnerships with public and private entities.
The Lawrence Cares group suggests, instead, we all donate to the Lawrence Community Shelter. We’ve had decades to see how that works. Dependence on private donations led to the shelter’s capacity being reduced to 25 people. But if we all contribute just a nickel more each time we spend $100, the good work cited above can continue and expand as we help our unhoused neighbors to a better future.
— Nancy Jorn, Lawrence
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