A story in last week's North Raleigh News was, to me, the most disturbing story we've run since I've been editor. The story told about the plight of North Raleigh's homeless.

Not that the problem is worse here than elsewhere -- as the story said, experts estimate that 20 percent of the city's homeless live in North Raleigh. But the shelters and services for the homeless tend to be downtown. Plus, with so many appealing subdivisions, shiny malls and ritzy restaurants, the danger is to think there is no problem here.

There is. It is a crying shame that, amid all this comfort, people are sleeping in ragged tents in the woods.

Of course, solutions are anything but easy. But we have to try. Fortunately, a group of experts, officials and citizens is trying to come up with answers -- and you can join them.

Government officials and homeless agencies have created a committee to guide creation of a 10-year plan to end homelessness. Members come from the private sector, nonprofit service providers, faith community, foundations, higher education and government.

The committee has set a series of public forums to forge the plan. The first was last month; the second will be March 18 at Moore Square Middle School. (For more information about the meetings and about the plan, go to http://www.raleigh-nc.org/planning/ending_homelessness.htm)

The hope is that the plan will be completed in the fall and presented to the city, county and community.