To the editor:

Homelessness, like health care, continues to dominate the front pages of the Journal-World and other media nationwide. These are both major issues that need to be addressed. Neither is going away.

The homeless have problems: mental illness, health issues, financial problems, limited education and divorce. They sometimes are victims of abuse, have credit and rental history problems, lack reliable transportation and have criminal histories. There but for the grace of God go I.

All of the above are contributory issues that prevent anyone from getting gainful employment or housing. If anyone was to drive by 10th and Kentucky, the current home of the homeless shelter, you can see the concerns of neighboring property owners. Approximately 40 to 50 people are outside because they have nothing else to do.

There is a current proposal to relocate the shelter to the former Don’s Steakhouse on East 23rd Street. I question the decision. I know a lot of other potential sites were considered. Where are the occupants going to go to eat? Those sites currently exist downtown. It would seem to make more sense to relocate the shelter near the needed services. What about the former industrial buildings at Ninth and Delaware that are pretty much vacant, on the bus route and close to existing eating facilities, employment offices, churches, etc.?

K-10 touts itself as the “Smart Corridor.” Somehow it doesn’t seem too “smart” to place a homeless shelter adjacent to the busiest entryway into our city.