The opioid epidemic is a national issue, but the local epicenter of this tragedy is in the Kensington area of Philadelphia.  Our streets have become overwhelmed by the number of homeless people, to the point where they are now erecting tent cities along almost every pedestrian walkway beneath the Conrail train lines that run along Lehigh Avenue.  It has become increasingly dangerous for neighbors to walk, and even drive, along these corridors.  They are open air drug markets and shooting galleries.  But just as importantly, the people living there are subjected to horrible conditions.  They have nowhere to go because the City, despite having the funding earmarked for it, has not been able to find a suitable space for a respite center that will allow at least some of these people to put a roof over their heads while other services can be put into place.  It needs to happen NOW.  And it needs to happen in Kensington.  Our elected officials MUST end the rhetoric of "not in my district" and accept the reality of this epidemic.  ALL of the residents of this neighborhood, including the homeless, deserve a city government who will make this a priority.  Please sign this petition so we can show just how many people are impacted by this situation.