Letter: ‘Astoria thrives when neighbors look out for one another’

Published 10:01 am Monday, December 22, 2025

In Astoria, we often speak of “community” as if it’s a current reality, but the way we treat our neighbors experiencing homelessness says far more about who we are than any spoken ideal.

There’s a troubling national movement to dehumanize and scapegoat people who are down on their luck: to reduce them to “nuisances” or “threats,” instead of recognizing them as human beings with histories, hopes and dignity. However, human resilience takes root when people feel valued, not vilified.

In our town, we’ve seen people pushed from street to park to parking lot, like unwelcome guests shuffled out of sight. Some have suggested criminalizing homelessness, as if writing tickets could motivate a desperate person into finding options they don’t have. This isn’t leadership; it’s cruelty masquerading as policy.

Astoria thrives when neighbors look out for one another, when artists, teachers, fishers, retirees, and yes — unhoused neighbors — can be safe on our streets. It is past time to invest in housing solutions, wrap-around support, and creative collaboration rather than criminalization. True community grows from compassionate solutions, not shame.

Input from our unhoused neighbors: “There is no reason to jail people who need help.” “Until people experience it, they won’t understand it.” “They (police) harass us in waves.” “I received more tickets than I can pay off in my lifetime.” “(I’ve been) trying to get housing for nine years.” “People don’t realize how much work it is (being homeless).” “I didn’t have a record until I became homeless.”

MARIANNE MONSON

Astoria