Homeless Given a Helping Hand

Finally someone came up with at least a partial solution to the homeless problem: RAIN (the River-dwellers’ Aid Intercity Network).

Whose idea was this? I hope it was someone for whom I can vote in the next election to show my appreciation.

Passing laws to prohibit sitting on the sidewalks or lawns, removing portable toilet facilities, making sweeps to destroy makeshift shelters that the homeless build--these are not solutions and contribute nothing to improving the community.

But the RAIN project has genuine merit. As a longtime Times reader, I would appreciate an update on the success/failure of this project.

I was especially impressed by the provisions made for the pets of the riverbed people. It has been scientifically proven that pets have a beneficial effect on their owners’ mental and physical well-being. Pets are especially important for the homeless. Their pet may be the only living creature that shows affection for the homeless. A dog may be not just the best friend but the only friend of a homeless person. Providing kennels is a very compassionate and smart move.

Using the old Camarillo State Hospital facilities to implement RAIN is a stroke of genius. Consideration should be given to making this a permanent homeless facility.

And why couldn’t some of this land be used for really low-income housing provided by some organization like Many Mansions? It is always difficult to find a place for such housing, so before an upscale community with “not in my backyard” excuses is established there, establish some low-income and homeless facilities. This would be compatible with the proposed university.

M. A. HOLMES

Newbury Park