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House homeless in vacant hospitals like Creedmoor

By Joyce Shepard

Once again communities are protesting the city’s plan on dumping the homeless population into hotels in their neighborhoods.

I gave Mayor Bill de Blasio and my councilman, Paul Vallone, a suggestion that would help the homeless population and the protesting taxpayer. I’m writing this letter because my suggestion has been ignored by both.

I suggested that many empty New York state mental health hospitals languishing throughout the state on our tax dollars can be used for housing homeless individuals and families.

It would be cost effective and provide jobs.

Could it be that the homeless population doesn’t matter, because they don’t vote? Well, the people impacted by placements in their neighborhoods do.

Rockland State Psychiatric Hospital is very large, located on vast green acres, and can house hundreds of homeless individuals and families, as do many other hospitals.

Recently, developers went to Community Board 13 in Queens, with plans to build apartments and housing on the grounds of Creedmoor psychiatric hospital. When is a clue a clue?

Maybe, just maybe the people protesting the homeless in their communities will ensure that their elected politicians look into the hospital plan.

Just think. How would your child, or grandchild feel living in a car, and having to wash in gas stations before going to school? Do these innocent children deserve to feel that shame?

I hope the protesters take on this issue and instead of protesting use their energy to help the homeless and lobby the governor and mayor to look into this humane issue.

Joyce Shepard

Bayside