Thirty three million dollars, $255 million, $60 million, $45 million and $40 million; these are figures reported recently in The Oregonian/OregonLive, (“Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler struggles to reel in millions from Multnomah County for homeless camping ban,” Dec. 5). The city of Portland and Multnomah County are awash in cash for homelessness from a number of city, county and federal sources, as this article reports.

The infighting of who and what to spend the dollars on is scandalous, yet typical. A year ago, I wrote a letter regarding the hundreds of millions already spent on homeless services in the tri-county area, asking when taxpayers will actually observe verifiable progress from the government agencies involved? I have yet to observe accountability. In fact, an op-ed in The Oregonian/OregonLive reported several months ago that Multnomah County has nine employees in its homeless services office that make six figure salaries: the Homeless Industrial Complex!

Driving recently in Portland I observed a man banging his bloody head repeatedly into a utility pole, a few days later a younger looking female was dancing and twirling in a major intersection. Fortunately, all the traffic stopped until she made her way to a sidewalk. There is no way these two afflicted individuals will be helped by homes. Both were in dire need of mental and/or substance abuse help in a controlled, disciplined setting. Far more is needed for the human beings “living” on our collective streets. Homes are but a portion of the true needs of these people.

Dennis E. Larson, Milwaukie

To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion.