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Community Corner

A House is Still A Home

Fire in my condo community in Ridge destroyed two units, left 8 people homeless. An "enlightened"reader of NY Newsday commented that calling these displaced residents 'homeless' was 'misleading' as their insurance would pay for the damage, that they had a place to go, so effectively, they were 'houseless' not homeless'. Sorry, Ms. sociology expert, but these people are effectively 'homeless', not simply houseless. Yes, the condo is just a physical structure, not a window to the soul, but my neighbors lost all their possessions--that insurance does not replace, countless memories, and all the emotional and philosophical renascence that comes with waking up every day in a place you love. Maybe you'll have a first hand experience of fire or flood or some other disaster and we'll see if you define your situation as merely 'houseless.' For now, I'd recommend a hike through the Pine Barrens.  It might clear your brain.

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