Gov. Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio are feuding about who’s to blame and how much the state and the city is spending on the homeless problem. And yet more people are living on the street and in shelters.
There are now 56,000 men, women and children living in emergency shelters and thousands more living on the street. I feel more has to be done.
The how’s and why’s range from financial issues such as losing a job, mental problems and drug and alcohol dependence.
I fully understand to a certain extent what these people are going through.
You see I was homeless back in 1975 when I was release from the U.S. Navy and served during the Vietnam era.
I didn’t have friends or family who could help me. I was in bad shape for it was a cold February and couldn’t bathe and had sores on my body while living on the street and was asking people on the street for spare change.
But due the kindness of a stranger named Cyril who had come from Nigeria, had offered me a room until my unemployment had kicked in and I could pay him.
There are many out there who are not so lucky.
Please therefore write to our local and state representatives to really help the homeless instead of just giving lip service to the homeless issue and not play the blame game.
Remember this too; the poor and the homeless need help now, for this winter could be harsh and cold and will soon be upon us.
For the homeless will feel it more and especially the children.
Frederick R. Bedell Jr.
Glen Oaks Village
