The Chamber and Project Homekey

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Dear City Council,

Have you looked at the Chamber of Commerce's survey (link below) about the L&M hotel's transition to housing for the homeless via Project Homekey? It's outrageous.

The survey presents a series of leading questions and attempts to reframe the city's efforts as a dangerous assault on neighborhoods, business and tourism. They are likely to refer to this survey during tomorrow's meeting (1/11/2022) as evidence of their position.  If you examine the survey I am certain you will see that the "data" it produces is invalid and should be discarded.

Issuing surveys like this is an old political trick designed to feign interest while transmitting fears, in this case, of addressing homelessness downtown. It is not a survey; it is shameless propaganda.

Thanks to the City Council and Reach for Home for having the vision and the moral clarity to embrace this valuable and effective program. I would have hoped that the Chamber would have seen the logic of this program and embraced this great opportunity instead of defensively clinging  to their own interests.

The L&M location is a godsend. We need to address homelessness downtown, close to the amenities and resources that the homeless require. Homelessness is all of our problem. We should deal with it with due urgency and a willingness to shoulder the inevitable sacrifices and hardships -together as a community.

There should be no patience for NIMBY reactions. 

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