Misplaced blame

“No emergency homeless services at Sacramento’s 211,” (sacbee.com, March 25)

As the Chief Executive Officer of a nonprofit providing shelter and housing to youth experiencing homelessness, I can say the scarcity of shelter beds and supportive services is not improving.

Recent coverage of 211 does not present the full picture. 211 is not a service provider; it is a navigation system that connects people to available resources. It cannot create shelter beds or motel vouchers. What it can do is assess vulnerability and place individuals and families on already overcrowded waiting lists, prioritizing those with the greatest need.

The issue is not 211; it is a lack of resources. 211 and the Coordinated Access System are valuable tools that help streamline access to scarce resources. Criticizing them for failing to meet overwhelming demand is misplaced. Sacramento’s homelessness crisis is driven by a lack of affordable housing and widening inequality.

Miren Hower

CEO, Wind Youth Services

Status quo isn’t cutting it

“4 takeaways from Q&A with Mayor Kevin McCarty and City Manager Maraskeshia Smith,” (sacbee.com, March 27)

Mayor Kevin McCarty relies on shortsighted plans like return-to-office, when developing a robust downtown core built on increased density is more resilient than depending on state worker revenue.

Doubling down on the enforcement of homeless encampments further displaces and traumatizes those in need of housing and makes McCarty’s job more difficult. Further traffic enforcement is great at generating revenue, but not great at addressing behaviors that actually result in deaths, such as street designs that slow cars.

We need something different than more status quo thinking.

Paul Andrews

Sacramento

Dem candidates must drop out

“Democratic poll shows no clear frontrunner in California,” (sacbee.com, March 24)

Ralph Nader’s run for president in 2000 was a major factor in Al Gore’s loss to George W. Bush in that year’s presidential election. Nader had no chance of winning, but his presence on the ballot siphoned off enough votes from Gore to hand the presidency to Bush (with help from the blatantly partisan Supreme Court). What a disaster that was.

If all of the Democratic candidates stay in the governor’s race, they could throw the office to a Republican. Don’t pull a Ralph Nader on California.

Please, for the sake of our state, let go of your egos and confer together to decide which three or four candidates should stay in the race.

Elizabeth Horowitz

Berkeley

Alcohol in moderation

“California legislators consider requiring breathalyzers on all DUI offenders’ vehicles,” (sacbee.com, March 30)

April is Alcohol Awareness Month, a time to reflect on your alcohol consumption. For adults who choose to drink, the new 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans emphasize moderation.

The scientific report that informed these recommendations defines moderate drinking as up to one drink per day for women and up to two per day for men.

The spirits industry has long supported federal guidelines and encourages responsible consumption throughout the year. Adults who have questions about how alcohol fits into their diet should talk to their health providers, who can help determine what is right for them.

Amanda Berger

Distilled Spirits Council