HHH: "50 Now" Program to Provide "Housing First"

*****Update: January 8, 2015
There is a local group called "SLO Housing Connection" that has a link to some sources for the "Housing First" model that you can read about by clicking here. The SLO Housing Connection non-profit is run by SLO locals with a wide range of experience in this area, led by tireless homeless advocate Mary Parker. I encourage you to support the group and donate to them if you can (I just wrote a check to them!).

Above (click to enlarge): An article without an image is boring, IMHO. Since I don't have any photos to go along with this article, I included an image that I took of the crystal clear ocean waters at Catalina at the Isthmus in August 2014.

*****Update: January 3, 2015
The Tribune Newspaper ran a story on the 50 Now program by AnnMarie Cornejo on January 3, 2015, which you can read by clicking here. 

A few highlights from the article. These quotes help to illustrate why I am so passionate about supporting homeless causes and creating affordable housing:
- 50 Now program provides homes for the chronically homeless
- Britta Daigneault (age 45) was homeless for 6 years before this program
- She (Britta) was previously married with 2 kids, living in a home with a job
- “But when you become homeless here, everyone sees you differently.”
- “I (Britta) was in a state of panic, anxiety and shock,” 
- She (Britta) said she was raped five times.
- “I took a beating, both mentally and physically,” 
-  “I made enemies quickly because I talked to the police,”
- She (Britta) was Dumpster diving and living in a field by the airport 
- 50 Now takes those with the greatest risk of dying on the street
- The 50 Now clients face a host of mental health and medical issues
- “The thought of losing this (program) … to me that would be a death sentence,”
You can reach reporter AnnMarie Cornejo at 781-7939.  

*****"50 Now" Survey Results: 9/25/2014 Update

The “50 Now” program collected 297 surveys in total of the “unhoused”, which have all been handed over to T-MHA (Transitions Mental Health Association), who will be doing case management for the top 50 chronically, vulnerable homeless.  They have assured us that they also plan to engage with ALL of the people who were surveyed, since all have some needs that they could use help with, besides just housing.  Below are some current statistics from the campaign.  If you are interested in helping follow through with some of the people you interviewed see the bottom of this email for ways you can help. 

Current Statistics from the 50Now Campaign (as of Sept. 16, 2014): 
10% of those surveyed were Vets.
4% of those surveyed were under 25.
The average age of those not vulnerable was 46 ½, the average of those that were vulnerable was 50 yrs. old.
7% over 65 years old, some over 70.
14% in Foster care at some point.
81% had been in jail at least once in their lives, 94% of top 50.
86% answered yes to mental health, or had signs of mental illness according to surveyor.
68% answered yes to substance abuse at some point in their lives.
78% were living in this area when they became homeless, and the remaining people had some kind of connection to this area.
60% have dual diagnosis.
520 ER visits in last 6 months.
124 inpatient visits in last 6 months.
On an average the top 50 have been homeless for at least 8 years.
Those on top 50 were spread out very evenly throughout County:  20% from North County, 26% from South County, 28% from SLO and the rest from institutions.