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Category: Readers' Opinions

Adopt a room

Aug 08

7:50 AM

Since 1999, a regional committee of South Hampton Roads organizations has been working to develop solutions to the lack of affordable housing for the homeless. In 2006, an abandoned warehouse near Park Place in Norfolk was successfully used to develop Gosnold Apartments for homeless individuals, saving up to $9,000 per year for each person served.

Now, by adapting the College Park Skate Rink in Virginia Beach, Virginia Supportive Housing is creating the second permanent, supportive housing development for homeless adults in the region.

Each of the 60 new Cloverleaf Apartments will contain a bed, dresser, table, chair, kitchenette and full bathroom. It takes only $3,000 to totally furnish one apartment.

Recently, I went to Gosnold Apartments to see the apartment our church was responsible for furnishing. I learned what a difference it has made in the life of the woman who occupies that apartment. She is off the street and able to be a productive citizen.

The construction of the Cloverleaf is scheduled to be completed by October on South Military Highway in Virginia Beach, but only 10 of the 60 apartments have been financed to be furnished. Our church has just collected money for the 11th room. I urge you to consider helping to change the life of an individual. Working together, we can fight homelessness.

Lorraine Jones

Virginia Beach

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Warren B

Submitted by marym63204 on Tue, 08/19/2008 at 9:23 am.

I am not sure you have noticed how many young people who live very productive work lives are used to living surrounded by trash. People buy too many things, then don't have the time to straighten them up. Some learn, and hire a maid. Many others just live with the clutter. So that facet is not confined to the previously homeless population. Cheers, MGM

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Nice attitude warrenb73163

Submitted by am81430 on Fri, 08/15/2008 at 6:06 pm.

I guess the homeless veterans mean nothing to you. You are sadly mistaken about the make-up of the homeless population, but given your comments in the past, I was not surprised a bit by your take on the matter...

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The furnishings

Submitted by charlesm on Thu, 08/14/2008 at 9:24 pm.

For some reason, the apartment furnishings you describe seem rather high at $3,000. It sounds like you could do better.

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One productive out of how many?

Submitted by warrenb73163 on Thu, 08/14/2008 at 9:56 am.

This may appear to be a noble endeavor, on the surface.
Why are you not furnishing the apartments with furniture from thrift stores, at a savings?
You give us a example of one woman off the street and is a “productive citizens.” A productive citizen is one who can earn his own food, clothing, shelter, and medical care. Is this woman paying a reasonable rent and utilities for this shelter?
We are given one example of a woman who is a productive citizen. What about the rest of the occupants? Is this woman the excerption?
Most homeless are dropouts, alcoholics, druggies and the likes. They are accustomed to living surrounded by trash. Who is there to clean these apartments periodically in order to keep them inhabitable?
Above all, how many of the total inhabitants become productive?

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