Homelessness is not simply an urban phenomenon.  Homelessness is urban, suburban, and rural.  People lose their jobs, families, health, and homes in Kirkland, just as they do in Renton and Seattle.  The Lake Washington School District has counted hundreds of homeless students in our schools.  That is only the kids, only the kids we know about, only the ones in our part of the county (outside of Seattle).  Along with them are hundreds and hundreds more of men and women.

Every person deserves to have a safe, stable living environment.  Ensuring that speeds their return to health, to employment, to family life.  Don't forget, poor people (including those homeless) pay a larger portion of their income into sales tax, so this is hardly an unfair burden on those of us wealthy enough to living in large suburban homes.

Rex Rempel
Kirkland, WA