Editor’s note: This commentary is by Morgan W. Brown, who has previously lived homeless over the course of several years and has lived in Montpelier for 27 years.
Having recently attended the Montpelier Homelessness Task Force meeting (as a member of the public), as well as being rather mindful of weather conditions and outside temperatures, it is quite distressing to find out — according to one or more task force members — there are reportedly 42 or more persons currently living outdoors in one form or another (i.e., without proper shelter, or at times without access to other needed accommodations, e.g., public bathrooms.) This does not count those who might be couch surfing or otherwise doubling up with someone who has housing.
In addition and in the meantime, apparently there are few, if any, viable options available for folks to otherwise find a central place to stay safe, warm, dry and healthy indoors.
There will be further discussion by the task force, however, until and unless something real and meaningful is done to properly address the several urgent unmet needs of those attempting their best to survive outdoors, one is left to merely hope. Hope that those living outdoors can manage to survive.
Given what is at stake, the reality is that hoping is truly not enough. Not by any means.
Over the course of the last few weeks I have been contemplating what more that I might possibly be able to either contribute or do, in addition to seeking to be appointed to the task force by the Montpelier City Council.
I am by no means alone with my ever-growing concern; there are others within our community who are attempting to grapple with these same concerns.
It is my hope that we, as a community of concerned citizens (including those who either are currently living homeless or have previously lived homeless), can mutually find our way to helping address these most urgent matters in a timely enough fashion.
The fact is that there are vulnerable lives who are urgently depending upon our collective energy, resourcefulness and action, sooner rather than later, or it could be much too late to help make a meaningful difference.
Read an older, related, commentary of mine on the subject (via vtdigger; circa: 2013), here.
The headline on this commentary was updated on Oct. 25 at 10:26 a.m.
