"As I wrap up the year, I want to share some words of caution about some particular challenges that the community and the city council face.

I've received a lot of email this year. More than a few of those emails touch on the issue of homelessness...[M]any people who write to me request that the City crack down or toughen our laws or curtail services. They're essentially saying: let's make it harder on homeless people and then the problem will be reduced.

I believe this is a mistaken idea.

To explain my perspective, I'd like to invite every 'housed' person [reading] to join in a little 'thought experiment.' It's pretty simple. Follow along with me if you'd like.
'I'm climbing into my bed pulling the blankets over me and looking up at the ceiling. Then I pause for a moment and imagine that, instead of being in my bed at my house, I'm homeless...I imagine I'm about to go to sleep under a tree or next to a dumpster or under a bridge somewhere...'"
Continue the "thought experiment" for yourself on our website.