As a resident of Jefferson Heights, a community that is also undergoing revitalization, I am concerned about Mayor Littlefield's recent proposal to build a homeless campus in the MLK Neighborhood. Today I attended a special presentation by Merri Mai Williamson, a resident of the MLK Neighborhood, that was given to the City Council. As I listened to her presentation, I was struck by her concise descriptions of her personal observations and thorough research of similar facilities in other communities.
I want to emphasize that Ms. Williamson traveled to several different cities to gain a better understanding of how the members of the community feel about their own homeless campuses, and she also spoke with professionals working at these facilities. Not only did she visit, she wrote a lengthy report detailing her findings that is available to those interested in this issue.
That being said, I have some questions of my own for the Littlefield Administration:
1. How will this facility be paid for? Is the Chattanooga community going to be responsible for footing the bill?
2. Is there a formal proposal for the homeless campus available to the community for review?
3. How was the old Farmer's Market site selected and what were the reasons for its selection? Who participated in the selection process?
And, I have a comment. During the course of today's presentation, it was mentioned that we need to be careful of stereotyping the homeless, which contributes to the lack of understanding of who they are, which in turn, prevents them from receiving the proper resources. I can agree with that. I think an important point was missed here,though--it's not just a homeless problem. If you are hungry, without a home, struggling with addiction, or even just having a run of bad luck, you become more vulnerable to criminal activity. It would be much easier for someone with less than noble intentions to target a concentrated group of homeless to sell drugs, encourage prostitution, or perpetuate violence. Those are the people I am most worried about--the ones preying on the homeless. This is when the MLK Neighborhood and the surrounding areas will see the homeless problem worsen. Much effort has been put into the downtown area to make it a great place to live, work, and play. I would like to see these efforts result in a thriving downtown.
I want to be involved in helping the homeless gain employment, a permanent place to live, and treatment for mental illlness or drug addiction. I don't think that building the homeless campus is the solution to make that happen. Let's put our heads together and figure out a better solution that is more permanent and meaningful.
Michelle Chastain
Chattanooga
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Merri Mai Williamson and Michelle Chastain disgust me. It's obvious they both simply suffer from "not in my backyard" bigotry.
Merri Mai Williamson lives just a few blocks from the current soup kitchen. The homeless already congregate near her home because of this helpful service.
Are Merri Mai Williamson and Michelle Chastain going to go after the Salvation Army next? These institutions are here to help the less fortunate.
Placing all or most of these services in close proximity makes things easier for the homeless. Downtown is the best place for this because current help institutions -- state, county and federal -- are already established.
Merri Mai Williamson made the comment about building walls and fences. Shame on you.
Looks like rich white people stereotyping and bigotry to me.
T. Esslinger
terri1966@comcast.com
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Ms. Esslinger, where do you live? I suggest the homeless campus be put in your neighborhood, preferably next door to you.
June Boxman
Hixson
beach63bunny@yahoo.com
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I live in Hixson close to the Wal-Mart Super Center. Sure, let them move next door. If it helps them to get back into the main stream.
T. Esslinger