For some time, I have been very concerned with the plight of the homeless and low-income people of Vernon.
Recently, in the letters to the editor section of the local paper, I read about a 15-year-old girl who was homeless and sleeping in a hammock in the park behind some bushes.
Now how scary is that.
On Oct. 12, 2014, I watched a PBS program called Religion and Ethics. They described an opportunity village in Eugene, Ore. where transitional housing was provided for their homeless/low income people.
It is a gated community and consists of little, individual shelters about eight-foot-by-10-foot or 10-by-10-foot-square and the doors have locks so it is a safe place.
There is no heat or electricity in the individual shelters but there is a large central building that has bathrooms, showers, clothes washers and dryers, fridges and cooking facilities.
There is also a building for socializing, meetings, etc.
A council is elected to oversee things, and has a policy of three strikes and you're out.
An outside committee interviews and selects the residents.
This is transitional housing and not meant to be a permanent residence, but only long enough to get a person on their feet and self-supporting.
They would pay only $1 a day ($30 a month) and donations would cover the remaining $2 a day to meet the expenses.
There are more of these little villages in other cities, so the idea is taking off.
You can check it out on the Internet under opportunity village.
Would this work in Vernon?
Does the city have any available property to be leased or donated to make this happen? There are many good ideas here and lots to think about. How many of us could afford a few dollars a month to help those in need?
Lets give it some serious consideration.
M. Atkinson
Vernon