Your correspondent Peter Donnelly (March 13) seems to be unaware that the local by-law regarding homeless people was and is unworkable.

It is very easy to blame council or the mayor for this, but in truth the problem is social not political. Peter's letter does nothing to address the main issue, that of what we can do to help homeless people.

There are a number of organisations already set up to do just that - help rather than complain and pass the buck. All of these organisations are underfunded. Why not suggest a more lucrative model, such as crowd funding or adopt a homeless person?

Where there is a will there is a way. That way will never be found if the first instinct is to blame others for what is an obvious social failing.

The use of inflammatory wording may well be a sign of frustration but it is hardly accurate to call a few homeless an invasion.

Robin Bell, Omanawa