To the Editor:

The single most important event to happen in Selma Alabama and the surrounding counties since 1965 is about to become a reality in just a few months. Many have been working tirelessly for years to create, maintain, and sustain a safe haven for our less fortunate, unfortunately many running for office and those in office have not put forth the effort to make this a reality.

The Selma Housing Authority has over a waiting list where 300 need housing, recently section eight recipients have been asked to move and the Federal Government has passed to not renew a portion of their existing vouchers and not issue any new vouchers, Health and Human services defines those living in hotels and motels as being homeless, and every time a house is demolished some homeless person is forced to take up residence in the street. HUD defines homelessness as living in abandoned cars, under bridges, releases inmates with no where to go, and of course we have the mentally ill and dual diagnosed people who are in a revolving door when released to the same environment that creates their drug and alcohol abuse and then return to repeat the process.

The Selma Dallas County Veterans Transitional Home Inc. is the chair of the federally Mandated Law/Agenda to end Homelessness in (10) years, so far their has only been a hand full of non-profits to join our organization called (BBHC) Black Belt Homeless Coalition. This coalition is a board member of the State’s (ARCH) Alabama Rural Coalition of the Homeless, which is a Member of the National Coalition to end homelessness, and Dallas County was the last to join and loosely organize this local continuum of care. Our organization is but a part of a National Agenda to address a strategy to combat homelessness. The nation recognizes the fact that there is a direct link to crime, drug activity, prostitution, at-risk youth gang activity, alternative job programs, and other activities that diminish the community’s attempt to attract and keep industry and revive economic activity. This year alone (other years not counted) our community has lost hundred of thousands of dollars because we cannot understand the need to address problems as a community, prioritize them, and formulate a strategic plan with working committees, dedicated people, and resources. There is room at the table for everyone, no one has to be left out, but solo projects and band aid approaches are a thing of the past, this is the time for unity.

This is a simple concept that has been placed on the back burner for years. Band aid and solo projects have served Selma well, but for the first time in Selma’s history we have the opportunity to sit at the table and create a comprehensive strategy that will formulate a

comprehensive strategy to address an integrated service delivery for all non profits, businesses, advocates, and concerned citizens while identifying gaps in service delivery for the community and then working together to improve the quality of life for all our citizens.

The (BBHC) cannot endorse any political candidate, but we are well aware of those who put more value on other programs and projects than they do on human lives. We are more than aware of empty promises and failed support for years; our network includes veterans, battered women and children, church organizations, HIV-AIDS victims, advocates for change and concerned citizens, dedicated Pastors and their congregations, and we want a candidate who can see the need for this joint effort and put energy, time, and resources into making Selma a better place. Have any of the candidates been honest enough to address the hungry, needy, and destitute members of our society? Every great nation/city is known for its compassion for those less fortunate, yet there are those who even say Selma has no homeless!

Look for a documentary “Putting a face on the Homeless in Selma, showing the real Selma; look for us at churches and businesses; Listen to us as we do a radio telethon where we will be seeking funds to educate, obtain seed money, and return to grass root participation and help.

Selma is about change for the better and we need more than promises, we need men and women dedicated to comprehensive, collaborative, and strategic change where all concerned parties work to better every aspect of our community leaving no one out. This sounds good, but Mobile, Montgomery, Birmingham, the rest of Alabama, and the Nation has dedicated themselves to a holistic approach to solving this national and local third world American and local problem(s). We as a community need to put it all on the table and admit we need each other to solve these problems and be successful, we have to be honest about gaps in our current service delivery process, and work on eliminating self defeating denial about homelessness, crime, drug abuse, at-risk youth, released prisoners who have no where to go, and taking the faith step to transitional supportive housing with a safe haven, a clean living environment, support services, counseling, transportations, and the list goes on and on, but guess what, we need collaboration to make this action plan work for the community. This transcends politics, race, and other cultural barriers, because this movement is a community healing process.

Selma, when you hear that our organization in doing a presentation, please come. The Selma that you think you live in is but a shadow of what is underneath the surface.

As we progress in our unity efforts we will continue to inform the public.

Leave no Person Behind!

William Hasberry

President (BBHCO)