Kip Yost’s commentary “The homeless have no voice at the table” published May 26 was remarkable for providing an insight to a problem that hasn’t been told before by a person without a home.
It makes you wonder why such an articulate person like Yost has never been invited to any of the planning discussions regarding the homeless people of Salt Lake City.
Yost hit it on the head when he cited less money available to help the growing homeless population and the city's plans to move the downtown shelter with services to three locations in the suburbs that the residents don't want.
Yost was right on when he said that most of us are only a missed paycheck away from joining the growing homeless population. Since affordable housing is one main area that Yost cites that’s lacking in the city, why not move them into some of the seedy motels downtown and on North Temple, like the city did with the old Capitol Motel on State Street. The city could buy or close down those motels that presently house many drug addicts and dealers along with prostitutes and pimps, and turn them into affordable housing with security to keep the lowlifes out.
Yost proposes the need for drug treatment, job training and employment, along with medical care for the homeless instead of the lock-them-up mentality that was seen in the city early on. Any future discussions on the homeless problems and solutions should include affected people like Yost at the table.
Marty Bernstein, Midvale
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