We found our examination of how homelessness effects our region, published in the Feb. 1-2 edition of the Sun-Gazette, illuminating.

First, we appreciate all of the hard, important work that the American Rescue Workers and other organizations and agencies do to provide shelter to the homeless and to assist our communities in addressing this difficult issue.

Their work too often goes unappreciated. But they are clearly making both the lives of people confronting unfathomable need better and the quality of life in our communities and neighborhoods better.

Second, we hope that our leaders at the local, state and federal levels will better recognize the urgency in providing resources to alleviate this problem and in providing long-term solutions so that fewer families are at risk of homelessness.

We do not believe that this is a problem that our government can simply throw money at — it is clear to us that our leaders need to thoroughly review what has and hasn’t worked, to make sure that funding and resources are going to where they can have the greatest, most efficient impact.

One part of the solution, about which we have editorialized before, is recognizing that we need to foster an economy that creates better jobs — jobs that offer the pay and benefits necessary for families to not only live in prosperity but to save for the horrifying possibilities that economic downturns unfortunately carry.

We need an economy where developers can meet the demand for housing, to keep the prices of homes and the rents charged for apartments and homes within the realistic perimeters of what families can afford.

And, again, we need to prepare for the reality that some people, at any given time, will need assistance to get their lives back on track and we need to be thankful that so many of our neighbors are willing to help address that need.

Their example in confronting the problem should be an inspiration to all.