The letter criticizes San Jose's approach to homelessness, arguing that penalizing unhoused individuals without enough shelter space is misguided. It emphasizes that existing laws can address disruptive behavior and questions the necessity of new legislation regarding shelter refusal. The author calls for an understanding that homelessness stems from various crises, not merely from lack of housing. She advocates for providing adequate support systems instead of punitive measures and highlights the importance of raising awareness about the complexities surrounding homelessness.
"As long as San Jose lacks a sufficient number of shelters for the number of unhoused persons, wouldn't it make more sense to offer the available spaces to people who want them rather than penalize those who don't?"
"Homelessness is not just a housing issue, but a human hardship. People can become homeless for a variety of reasons, including trauma, substance abuse and mental problems."
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