Efforts to confront homelessness encouraging

Thanks to The Herald for its efforts to battle homelessness, along with the poverty and drug problems that are both cause and effect of it (“At Herald Forum, experts affirm Housing First model, despite downsides,” The Herald, April 13).

This difficult challenge both locally and nationally needs this kind of attention, leading to action to alleviate this crisis. We can be proud of the local efforts to deal with this problem, including housing and services that follow-up, with the housing first model, and social workers more available to deal with this crisis. Nationally, Reps. Suzan DelBene and Rick Larsen, along with both Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, have been working hard to get funding for this issue, including more affordable housing. Also, a renter tax credit, to help keep people housed is being considered.

Meantime the U.S. House passed the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act, with a large bipartisan majority, and is waiting for Senate action. This bill would increase the Child Tax Credit, lifting 400,000 children out of poverty and reaching 16 million more in the throws of poverty. So thanks again to The Herald, local service providers, and our members of Congress for bringing hope to this critical problem.

Willie Dickerson

Snohomish