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Proceed Cautiously With Homeless Post

It’s become clear that homelessness is a growing and complex issue in Wheeling, one that perhaps requires additional involvement from government to solve.

The proposal being discussed by members of Wheeling City Council to hire a homeless liaison could be a positive first-step in addressing the matter — but only if council members first ensure the new post has a clear and defined job description, that it has buy-in from the social service agencies that currently work with the homeless, and then that city leaders first look within to see if a current employee could handle the duties before hiring someone to fill another administrative post.

Councilwoman Rosemary Ketchum said the new liaison would spearhead efforts between city government and the local entities that work to assist and serve the local homeless population.

“I believe our larger community understands the severity of the issues regarding our homeless population and are desperate for the city of Wheeling to assist in building long-term solutions,” Ketchum said. “There is no silver bullet to addressing and ending homelessness. The lived experience of many of our most vulnerable community members includes trauma, mental illness, substance use disorder, poverty and other issues that require a strong holistic focus to improve.”

Vice Mayor Chad Thalman agreed, but only after noting that city leaders need to have the ability to track the new position.

We agree. We also urge leaders, if they move ahead, to first determine if the work can be handled by a current employee.

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