You don’t have to imagine a homeless shelter: books and movies show you crowded, dark hallways, where everyone is on guard against what seems an unavoidable tide of insults and assaults. Never mind that the reality is, more likely, compassionate people who serve up dignity along with a hot meal and a warm bed.

Yes, the movies exaggerate, but the truth is nearly as harsh. The truth is that for most of us, having no roof over our heads night after night, is an unimaginable horror. A roof, a bed, a meal and dignity: that’s the bottom line, but it doesn’t come cheap. Especially under Covid restrictions, the cost of providing basic shelter is rapidly increasing.

So we must increase the decibel level and frequency of our appeals.