We should put our eggs in the Housing First basket

Recently, there was a skeptical guest opinion in the Camera about Boulder’s homeless response strategy, called Housing First (“Why Housing First Falls Short,” 10/25). I was confused because while blaming it for many of the homeless issues we face, the writer also states that Housing First works, citing successes like Salt Lake City and writing “Perhaps, if the federal dollars accompanying Housing First were sufficiently abundant, this policy might make sense.” Yes, Housing First works when funded. So let’s fund it!

The fact that homelessness is growing nationally is not an argument that Housing First (which posits that finding someone a roof and a front door is nearly always the first step toward addressing their challenges) doesn’t work. Besides Salt Lake, it has — no exaggeration — completely solved homelessness in Finland, caused a 70% reduction in Houston, and a 50% reduction among veterans nationwide. It works when funded. It’s the only thing that works.

And it’s cost-efficient. It is a fact that it is demonstrably far cheaper for taxpayers and donors than street-level services. Why does a lack of funding for the best ideas mean worse ideas are better?

Donating to Housing First organizations like All Roads is a great deal. All contributions are not only tax deductible, but eligible for a 25% tax credit from the State of Colorado. So instead of getting into a back-and-forth argument, I’d like to welcome all of Boulder to embrace getting our most needy neighbors off the streets first, so they can return to fulfilling, productive lives.

Go to AllRoadsBoco.org for more information and to donate!

— Andy Schultheiss, communications officer, All Roads, Boulder

U.S. must work toward a just peace for all concerned

Members and attenders of the Boulder Colorado Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) deeply mourn the loss of all lives, homes and communities of people who are victims of the current wars in the Middle East. We believe that all life is sacred and that war and acts of violence are wrong in all circumstances. We unequivocally condemn the attacks and inhumane treatment of civilians by all parties to these ongoing wars and call for an immediate and permanent end to the violence, release of all hostages, provision of desperately needed humanitarian aid and the creation of a just peace for all concerned.

To this end, the United States must:

• Immediately stop providing offensive weapons and weapons systems to Israel.

• Actively and publicly engage in assertive peace-building actions with all warring parties, all European and Middle Eastern partners, and the United Nations Security Council to secure and enforce a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, Israel, and Lebanon, as well as with Iran and other parties engaged in the conflict.

• Restore funding from the U.S. to the United Nations Relief and Works Administration (UNRWA).

• Strongly call on Israel, Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis and Iran to cease hostilities between them and make every effort to protect innocent civilians.

• Demand that Israel and Hamas accept a ceasefire in which all Israeli and foreign hostages in Gaza, and the numerous incarcerated Palestinians in Israel, are released and exchanged.

• Demand that Israel stop using starvation as a weapon of war and allow all needed humanitarian aid to enter and be distributed to the people in Gaza and in other war-affected areas.

• Work with Israel, Palestinians and willing Middle Eastern countries to develop a plan for Palestinian self-determination and international recognition as a nation.

— Christopher Braider, Boulder

Let’s raise awareness of veterans’ mental health

I am a concerned youth at Silver Creek High School. I am worried about veterans in our community. I interviewed Mr. Ralph Bozella, a veteran and an activist for the American Legion. He told me that mental problems for veterans aren’t given enough attention. He told me the best way to get that problem fixed is to get the word out so people can know about the mental problems that veterans face day to day and night to night.

From stories that my grandma told me about my great-grandpa and from experience, I know that veterans have a lot of trauma and the problem is that few people talk about their mental health enough, and it makes it harder for them to get the help that they need.

Veteran suicide rates are sadly high because of mental problems like PTSD and depression. In 2021, the total suicide number of veterans in Colorado was 212, which is a tragedy. This is why I want to spread the word about veterans’ mental problems.

So today, I am asking our community to do more for our veterans. Thank a veteran for their service when you see them, take a moment to acknowledge their sacrifice for our freedoms, support our local Legion, and let’s raise mental health awareness in our community for our heroes.

— Darren Mcneece, Longmont