Homelessness: the discussion about it, and the lack of understanding, is as frustrating as the subject itself

NBC29 and the Daily Progress sought to explore the problem of homelessness...but missed what works. Meanwhile, the city drags its feet...

Two recent stories about homelessness, "No clear solution to Charlottesville’s homelessness," from NBC29, and "Could a new homeless shelter be coming to Charlottesville?" from the Daily Progress sought to explore the problem of homelessness in our area and possible solutions. Remarkably, neither story mentioned anything about the only solution that has worked: The Crossings, a 60-unit supportive housing facility on the corner of Preston Avenue and 4th Street. According to data from the Blue Ridge Area Coalition for the Homeless, the number of chronically homeless people in Charlottesville went from 76 in 2012, when the Crossings was built, to 32 in 2014. And that number has remained in the low 30s ever since. The plan was to build more such housing, and there is some of that in the works, but the public discussion about the issue continues to go around in circles.

"Think about the many lives that were dramatically improved when The Crossings opened," says former Charlottesville Mayor …