Who will step up to help the most vulnerable among us losing their shelter in Independence?
Regarding Leila Atassis June 11 column, Budish caves to nimbyism in Independence, reporting on the removal of homeless men from an Independence hotel:  Cuyahoga County leadership and staff stepped in to protect individuals experiencing homelessness in our community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, when federal health guidelines made traditional homeless shelters unusable, and the national response was to utilize vacant hotels as safe places to shelter. Cuyahoga County partnered with the Greater Cleveland COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund by providing $4 million in CARES Act funding for local homeless-services response to COVID-19. Their efforts ensured that vulnerable county residents had a safe space to quarantine while providing hard-hit hotel operators with reliable revenue. Unprecedented need remains for safe shelter, and the community cannot lose sight of those who remain most vulnerable among us. Planning and implementation are critical for a safe return to shelter. But, as was recently reported and exemplified by the actions taken in Independence and elsewhere, some municipal officials have blocked entry to those in need. The final hotel operator and municipal official ready to step up is out there. When they do, their partnership with Cuyahoga County will show what true leadership looks like. Augie Napoli,  Cleveland  Augie Napoli is president & CEO of United Way of Greater Cleveland.