After reading Rachel Holzman's April 21 article (""Number of Dane County homeless rose in 2008"") about the increase in homelessness in Dane County, I am reminded of how much we can accomplish as students.
This problem needs more attention, especially with the continued economic drought that we all have been victims of. Cities and counties are reporting a sharp increase in homeless families as the economic crisis leads to job loss and makes housing increasingly unaffordable.
One stereotype that seems to linger when addressing homelessness on campus is that all hungry and homeless people are living on the street, asking for money to feed their addictions. However, these assumptions are very wrong. Like Holzman stated, ""this is the largest homeless population since 2003, and homeless children and parents outnumber single men and women for the first time since 2002."" So though it seems like the addicts are victims to the major housing struggles, it is the children and families who are living on the edge. As students, we can make a difference, but the first step in creating change is getting educated.
This Saturday, April 25th from noon until two, WISPIRG's Hunger and Homelessness campaign is hosting a Poverty Summit. The summit will address why housing is such an important aspect in fighting hunger, homelessness, and poverty. With respected speakers including Dane County ombudsman Andy Heidt and former city alderwoman Brenda Konkel, we'll learn how to find the home in homelessness!
—Robbie John
UW-Madison freshman
Undecided major
