More than 20 people raised concerns about affordable housing, health care, homelessness and other community issues during the annual meeting of the League of Women Voters of Lawrence-Douglas County.
Members of the group met Saturday morning to outline their program planning on local and national issues for the next two years.
Hilda Enoch, a longtime member, said everyone should have access to health-care services and decent housing.
"I think it's sinful how many homeless people we have and how many people don't have adequate housing," she said.
Because of the economy and national welfare reform, Marilyn Chamberlin said more people will need assistance in the near future.
"There's going to be more people needing housing, jobs, alternatives to nursing homes and health care than there's ever been in the past," she said. "We'll see it and feel it locally."
The group suggested the league do new local studies on affordable housing, needs of the homeless and child care. During the next two years, the group also proposed to focus on increasing the size of the Douglas County Commission, eliminating the election of nonpolicy-making officials, such as the county treasurer or sheriff, and supporting the need of health-care services for the working poor.
Next, Jinny Ashlock, past president, said the league's board of directors will make recommendations based on the group's discussion. Then, members will vote on what positions to emphasize and what areas to study during the annual convention April 6 at Abe & Jake's Landing.
On the national issues, individual members voted whether to keep, drop or update several positions. The group must tally the votes and send them to the national league office by March 1.
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