Fresh, Cooperative Approaches Urged for the Homeless

Re the editorial “Public Space? Or Tent City? (Feb. 29): I would like to toss out my wild idea for alternative shelter so parks could be safe, but more importantly, there could be the opportunity to address the underlying causes of homelessness.

Put to practical use some of those tall, vacant commercial buildings of which the entire country seems to have an overabundance. Turn them into rehab centers.

The county, city and state, with some private charity donations, could lease these, and they could be used as low-cost housing. They have restrooms. Office space could become dorms or small apartments on the higher levels, with some security provided. On the lower levels, consolidate the mental and other health services and set up classrooms for employment training. Provide substance abuse counseling and a workout room.

The custodial jobs for the building should be offered to the residents on a training basis. And let’s not forget child-care centers for homeless families in these rehab centers.

Of course, it would take cooperation at several government levels, some flexibility in zoning laws and cooperation of private charities, guided only by compassion for brothers and sisters whose shoes none of us would care to walk in.

PHYLLIS SALYER CARRUTHERS, Huntington Beach