Where Most Needed

Local officials are evacuating a dilapidated homeless shelter set up in a former thrift shop in Pensacola's North T Street antiques district after finding numerous violations of safety codes and a leaky roof covered by a canvas sheet.  Approximately 80 residents have to find alternative accommodations.  It appears to be a case of a well-intentioned but hopelessly overwhelmed Director,  who has not been able to raise the resources to keep the facility in compliance, and, it is said, also has trouble working with social service agencies. 

The contrast between what the facility looked like before the media attention and afterward is hard to exaggerate, but doesn't really address the situation.  Certainly the response of church volunteers is welcome, but the homeless residents will need ongoing care, not just a festive meal, used clothes, and building supplies.   

This is one of the too common consequences of the current policy of reliance on ad hoc charitable responses to major social problems.  City officials seem more concerned with appearances and lawsuits rather than addressing the multiple needs of the residents.