Friday, Aug. 3, 2001 | 4:49 a.m.
Your July 29 editorial, focusing on Mayor Oscar Goodman's suggestion that using the Jean prison to care for some homeless persons, doesn't provide a true perspective of the challenges our community faces with this difficult issue.
There is not one homeless population or one cause of homelessness. From United Way's perspective there are five basic target groups -- those who are homeless by chance (lost jobs, temporary economic hardships, abuse, etc.); those who are homeless by choice; the mentally ill; homeless youth; and those who are living one paycheck away from homelessness.
Our community needs a different plan for each of these groups. While the Jean prison concept would not work for those who are seeking employment and want to become independent again, it might work for those who are homeless by choice and want our community to provide sanitary, temporary shelter from the heat or cold, especially during the next 18 months while the new St. Vincent Shelter is under construction.
We need a common plan describing the services and expectations for each homeless group. This will allow the agencies to target their resources to produce results needed to address homelessness thoughout the Las Vegas Valley.
We thank Mayor Goodman for taking the lead developing a community plan for homelessness, and we salute all the local groups who are participating in this effort.
GARTH WINCKLER President United Way of Southern Nevada
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