Kitsap News Group’s announced series on the dilemma of homelessness and the need for affordable housing is long overdue. As someone who has devoted the last 25-plus years of my professional career actively engaged in assisting with the production of affordable housing in the state of California, perhaps I can shed some light on the issue.

First, affordable housing and housing for the homeless requires commitment — commitment of local governments (city and county), commitment of local non-profits, commitment of citizens within the community of any given affordable housing project and, finally, commitment of organizations such as unions, trust funds and major donor foundations.

Once those commitments have been aligned, the issue of funding becomes all important.

All of the projects in which I have been involved over the past several years have used combinations of these resources, coupled with help from the federal government in the form of tax credits assembled in pools and administered by the state and independent companies which maintain these pools, following the guidelines set forth in state and federal laws.

The need for housing for those who are homeless and near-homeless in Kitsap County and its incorporated cities is well established. Also clear is most past efforts to produce meaningful quantities of such units have fallen way short. Passing laws to keep people off the streets is like hiding from reality — the problem exists and it must be dealt with.

Last but not least in the successful housing of homeless and near-homeless: bankers, builders and developers, city council members, mayors and district commissioners must apply their vast combined resources to help solve what is rapidly becoming a severe strain on our communities, large and small.

Someone must take the first step.

Bill Effinger

Poulsbo

— Effinger’s public service career includes a term as mayor of Buena Park, California and member of the Escondido, California, Housing Commission. His affordable housing concepts for San Diego’s North Park and Golden Hill were named Most Creative Affordable Housing Concept in 1985 by the San Diego Housing Commission.