This winter, for the first time in 25 years, Biddeford’s most visible homeless citizen won’t be braving the icy winds and snowy roads.

Laurette Doyon, known by many as the “bag lady,” has long lived on the streets of Biddeford, rejecting aid from the Department of Health and Human Services. And although business owners had allowed her to use facilities in past years, many have ended their hospitality due to her declining personal hygiene and mental capacity.

The city’s health and welfare office has tried for years to get help for Laurette, who is now 79 and suffers from severe osteoporosis, and we’re glad to see that they finally succeeded on Nov. 17.

Court records show that Laurette was a patient at the Augusta Mental Health Institute, diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic, and became homeless after deinstitutionalization in the 1970s.

Many residents have been ashamed over the years to see a homeless person in Biddeford who was not being helped by some sort of social services and didn’t realize that she had refused the help. The state cannot take guardianship of a person unless that person is declared incapacitated. Until recently, she had been able to make her own way, but many downtown have noticed a decline in her well-being in recent years.

It’s nice to know that Laurette is now living in a secure facility, courtesy of the state, and we hope that the arrangement becomes permanent. Those with mental health problems should not be left to roam the streets, unable to hold down a job or find a place to live. Such an arrangement is not beneficial to the person, who cannot make informed decisions in their best interest, and also gives a bad image to the city, with the post office reeking of urine and piles of plastic bags beside downtown storefronts.

Downtown Biddeford is attempting a renaissance, and has made some progress with shops moving in and a new arts space opening. Having homeless people on Main Street is not the image the city is hoping to achieve. Beyond that, it is not the type of community we want to be ”“ one in which people are left without resources to make their own way on the cold streets.

This month, a probate court will decide whether the state should have permanent guardianship of Laurette, and we are confident that they will not send her back to the streets.

What we must remember, now that Laurette has a home, is that she is not the only person in Biddeford who is homeless. Others are far less visible but no less in need. Instead of lining the major streets, they find secluded spots in parks or “couch-surf” in the homes of friends. Homelessness can strike anyone who falls on hard times, whether or not they are mentally ill, have a family or even a job, and it’s important to help direct people to the social services that are provided.

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Today’s editorial was written by Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Kristen by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.