text: Homelessness is a national problem and should be addressed at the national level. It is indeed disturbing that Eugene city leaders are considering programs that will multiply the number of homeless persons coming to Eugene. The city's ability to address homelessness  will continue to be overwhelmed so long as federal programs remain inadequate. By making the homeless problem still larger, city leaders risk losing public support for parks and recreation paths that are already becoming the domains of vagabonds and illegal campers. Moreover, the city may very well find itself on a downward economic spiral as businesses and citizens become displaced by the inevitable influx of the nation's homeless. Eugene city leaders would be wiser if they join with other cities to instill a greater sense of urgency in congressional delegations to pass legislation that increases affordable housing and access to social programs.