Homeless Burden Should Fall on County’s Shoulders

If you are one of the people who looked forward to the Santa Ana City Council reading the ordinance to outlaw “camping,” thereby ending the homeless problem at its Civic Center, you may have been disappointed with (the recent) turn of events (“Santa Ana Delays Effort to Evict Civic Center Homeless,” June 2). This move, however, gives hope to those who advocate a humane solution, as well as those who want a permanent solution.

The coalition that was formed (June 1) in the lobby of the council chambers has one common goal: to relocate the homeless in a responsible fashion as quickly as possible. That means immediately categorizing the 250 to 300 people into groups that will allow them to be assisted according to their needs.

Then we will begin moving out the people, placing them in the proper setting. Those who need drug/alcohol treatment will get it; mental and physical health sufferers will be given help; those who can and want to work will be counseled and placed where possible. Then every effort will be made to acquire permanent housing.

All of this is being planned by eight people who unofficially represent the business, religious, residential and social service sectors of the greater Orange County community.

We’ve taken a stand for humanity and we want your cooperation. This is not the city of Santa Ana’s problem; it belongs to us all.

JERILYN H. WHITE, Huntington Beach