My prior column about food security in the area sparked a lively discussion, and I appreciate the thoughtful feedback. Most people agree that there is an issue, even if we are still working on developing a consensus about how to best, and most immediately, work to begin addressing it. At least a couple of readers ended up visiting a local business they hadn’t previously been to, so I consider that a step in the right direction and am thankful that something I wrote might have a small impact in some way.

In that same vein, today’s column was going to ask “Do you have a place to sleep?” and discuss the housing issues facing the community. Yes, I’ve written many columns like that before. I’ve written about housing quality (or lack thereof), housing affordability (or not), and the issues — including the rising number of Airbnbs and multi-property landlords — that keep shutting people out of the local housing market.

I think it was only a month ago I wrote about steps other municipalities across the state have taken to generate more revenue, address high rents, impose reasonable restrictions on short-term rentals, and look at more creative housing options. This column........

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