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Praise is in order for Altoona City Council for its action -- and its wide-ranging discussion -- related to allocating $1 million in federal grant money to help address the local homelessness problem.
Considering the scope of that Mountain City problem, it is but a small step, despite the cost, but it is an important one nonetheless.
Specifically, the allocated money will be used by the Durbin Companies to construct a modular building with six two-bedroom apartments on a vacant lot on the 100 block of Lexington Avenue.
Commendably, the Durbin family and its companies have been notable partners in efforts aimed at reducing homelessness here, and it is to be hoped that the family and its companies will remain committed to that objective, going forward.
The city would be well-served if other companies, as well as individuals with substantial financial resources or entities, would step forward to help address this detriment to the city's generally positive image.
However, there is more that can be done beyond providing actual shelter for the homeless.
Some of what Councilman Dave Butterbaugh focused upon is underway already, but it can be suggested that, as long as the homeless problem persists, more needs to be done on that front.
Butterbaugh pointed out that success in addressing homelessness depends on identifying the individual reasons for why the homeless have no place to live.
There also needs to be more effort to convince those who refuse help to change their thinking regarding others' efforts on their behalf.
Councilman Ron Beatty rightly termed it a "misconception" that the city does not care about the homeless, but the bulk of the municipality's annual budget could be consumed by the problem, if it were allocated to battle it, and the problem still would exist to some degree.
Because the city cannot afford such a financial commitment, due to its many other obligations, the local government must depend on sources such as Family Services Inc., which has operated a 16-bed shelter and recently opened a new 35-bed shelter, other agencies and committed partners like the Durbins to provide help with this difficult challenge.
Meanwhile, Family Services has added six low-income apartments above its new shelter -- which will not make a big dent in solving the current shortage of affordable rental units in the city but will be important nevertheless amid the positive mindset that each additional unit is an accomplishment that should be welcomed.
Something that should not be lost amid the news about the $1 million allocation mentioned above are actual numbers revealing the scope of homelessness within the city's borders, as reported by Family Services executive director Lisa Hann.
Hann said that in 2022 Family Services turned away 2,478 people from its 16-bed shelter and that there currently are about 230 people either on the street, at imminent risk of homelessness or couch surfing.
Still, no doubt those numbers merely are a percentage of the total picture -- hopefully, a significant percentage -- but no one really can be certain.
Homelessness has no all-encompassing answer here or anywhere else, but having allies like the Durbins, Family Services and other local agencies is an asset worth coveting by every compassionate community burdened by the problem.