Homelessness result of greed

To the editor:

(re: “Adams touts success of homeless cleanup,” May 19)

I agree with Raphy Jacobson that the mayor’s cleanup is not in any way a dignified solution ending homelessness. It is just sweeping the problem under the rug.

The real solution is affordable housing. Why would we want to hide the problem? So the rich individuals don’t see it. They above all are the ones who should see it because they are the ones who can solve the problem.

When I was growing up, one of the values my father instilled in me was that real estate is always a good investment. Making the best of that value is up to those who have made that investment. But it has gone too far. It has caused us to become greedy.

When a developer gets approval to construct housing, all they see is a way to get rich. Aren’t developers required to include amenities to help solve the problem? It seems to me the lawyers for the developers always come up with ways to get around this requirement.

If they adhered to the requirement, they could provide an affordable space for at least one homeless individual.

There is enough development in this great city of ours to do this, and they could be helping at least one homeless individual. One at a time could be a start to the real solution of affordable housing and ending homelessness.

We are New Yorkers. We are the best. Let’s get together and really solve the problem of homelessness.

John Benfatti

The author is the emergency overnight shelter coordinator for the Riverdale-Yonkers Society for Ethical Culture