This letter is a response to The Gazette’s Dec. 4 editorial “Handouts won’t help Springs homeless.”
Dear Pikes Peak Bulletin,
First and foremost there is no cookie cutter solution for homelessness. Every individual has different needs. Not every unhoused person has mental health issues or struggles with drug addiction. So people should not be stereotyped. That is very judgemental and until you know a person’s story you shouldn’t assume anything. I know a lot of unhoused people have an income but it isn’t enough to begin to be considered for most places.
The starting point for most rentals require you to make at least two times the rent. That alone usually stops any hope of acquiring housing. Not to mention that there aren’t enough units to begin to match the need. Then there’s rental history or lack of history is another strike against us.
Not every unhoused person is inherently bad. There are bad people in every class. We are mothers, fathers, sons and daughters but most importantly we are all human beings and deserve to be treated as such.
All of those who look down on the unhoused community, just remember that in one heartbeat your good fortune could quickly change.
When housed people end up without somewhere safe to lay their heads, the people who have been there are the first to assist in any way possible no matter how badly the housed people had treated them.
Instead of criticizing the ones that have less than most, try to remember that there is only one race – the human race. We are not the problem and, given the chance, we would much rather be part of the solution.
Remember the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have done to you. You wouldn’t want to be treated the way you treat us. In the blink of an eye it could be you.
Have a blessed day.
Always much love,
Kandy Lewis , proud member of the Colorado Springs Homeless Union
