To the Editor:

I am a current college student here in St. Lawrence County. I am writing blog posts about homelessness in the North Country, specifically St. Lawrence County. Through my research, I have discovered a lack of coverage on homelessness, yet homelessness is a significant issue.

Causes of homelessness include drug addiction, domestic violence, and lack of employment. These people may be veterans who, after returning home from war, were so scarred they turned to drugs, or lost their way in life. Homelessness is also strongly linked with poverty.

The population of people in poverty is higher than the population of homeless in the North Country, but there are also people in poverty that have homes, unlike the homeless. Homeless people are lost. They do not have stable living. They are stuck.

The most recent articles covered by North Country Now regarding homelessness were during the summer of 2016.

Now, it is April 20, and there has been no coverage in over a year. In Craig Freilich’s article “Despite 1,000 homeless each year, no homeless shelter in St. Lawrence County” from July 2016, he stated that there are no homeless shelters in St. Lawrence County.

In April 2017, that fact remains true. My question now is whether anything is going on? If so, there needs to be coverage, and even if not, there should still be coverage. This coverage, however, should cover why nothing is happening, and what needs to be done in order for action to be taken.

To me, homelessness appears to be an issue that is often overlooked by many North Country newspapers. Why is homelessness being avoided?

I believe homelessness is an issue that needs to be addressed immediately. It is important to make people aware of homelessness in St. Lawrence County, so that they will be inspired to create solutions to the issue. Let’s take action.

Lia Petersen

Canton