Jay Chaudhary’s column, “Ignoring public disorder around homelessness is a costly luxury,” was excellent analysis of the homelessness epidemic in Indianapolis.
I would add one point, however. The term “homelessness” is interfering with our ability to deal with this problem. If a lack of housing was the only problem, then the simple solution would be building more housing.
This fails to recognize that mental illness is a important factor in this population, and that people living in urban camps often refuse conventional housing and choose to live on the street. This is at odds with public good and public health.
Many folks in the “homeless” category also need help in their daily lives. They are preyed upon by violence and use an inordinate amount of hospital emergency services.
Often, even the family and close friends of homeless people will no longer provide housing for them, because comorbidities like mental illness are too daunting to deal with.
As Chaudhary cogently points out, recognizing all facets of the homelessness problem is necessary to solve it.
Richard Hellman is an Indianapolis resident.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Actually, Indianapolis homelessness is not just a housing problem | Letters
Reporting by Richard Hellman / Indianapolis Star
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