Letters to the Editor

Homelessness

Dear Editor: Gov. Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio are feuding about who is to blame and how much the state and the city are spending on the homeless problem. And yet more people are living on the streets and in shelters. There are now 56,000 men, women, and children living in emergency shelters and thousands more living in the streets.

I feel more has to be done.

The hows and whys range from financial issues such as losing a job, mental problems and drug and alcohol dependence.

I fully understand what these people are going through. I was homeless back in 1975 when I was released from the U.S. Navy after serving during the Vietnam era.

I didn’t have friends or family who could help me. I was in bad shape for it was a cold February and I couldn’t bathe and had sores on my body while living on the street and was asking people for spare change.

A stranger named Cyril, who had come from Nigeria, had offered me a room until my unemployment kicked in and I could pay him back.

There are many out there who are not so lucky. Please therefore write to our local and state representatives to really help the homeless instead of just giving lip service to the homeless and not play the blame game.

Remember this too: the poor and homeless need help now, for this winter could be harsh and cold and will soon be upon us. For the homeless will feel it more, especially the children.

FREDERICK R. BEDELL, JR.

Glen Oaks Village