*****Update 4/7/2015: A friend forward this article about the "Housing First" program in Washington DC, which I found particularly relevant. You can read the entire article in the Huffington Post by clicking here. I inserted some minor clarifications to an excerpt from the article that you can read below.
In DC, the "housing first" program is only for the chronically homeless, and I tend to agree with that. The chronically homeless are defined as being homeless for more than a year, and are disabled or mentally ill. The article notes both that housing the chronically homeless saves the government money (in theory), and is in contrast to many government municipalities that make homelessness a crime through citations and arrests for people trying to survive on the streets.
Begin Excerpt:
In the entire United States, chronically homeless represent just 14 percent of the overall homeless population, and “housing first” is not a solution for the 7.7 million Americans at risk of homelessness for economic reasons. But chronic cases -- people who've been homeless more than a year and suffer from a disability of some kind -- are the most visible of the homeless, the kind many city dwellers see on the street every day.
Pathways D.C. (the group running the housing first program in Washington DC) said that since the group opened its D.C. office in 2004, Pathways has housed 600 formerly homeless people here, of whom 90 percent have remained in their apartments. Pathways is one of several organizations helping administer the 1,312 currently filled slots in the city's permanent supportive housing program. The number of chronically homeless individuals within city limits has declined from 2,110 in 2010 to 1,609 in 2014, according to the most recently available data.
Housing first is not only effective in getting homeless people off the streets. It is also designed to save the government money. The District's 400 most vulnerable chronically homeless people soak up an average of $40,000 per person annually in ambulance rides, hospitalizations and run-ins with the law, according to a February analysis commissioned by Miriam’s Kitchen, another homeless services provider in the city. By contrast, rent and social services for someone in a permanent supportive housing program run about $20,000 annually.
Despite the proven effectiveness of housing first, many cities have taken a more punitive approach to addressing homelessness, outlawing things like sleeping in public or panhandling.
*****Original Post: December 2, 2014
Beginning of "Welcome Home Kit Drive" Flier
Welcome Home In DC, the "housing first" program is only for the chronically homeless, and I tend to agree with that. The chronically homeless are defined as being homeless for more than a year, and are disabled or mentally ill. The article notes both that housing the chronically homeless saves the government money (in theory), and is in contrast to many government municipalities that make homelessness a crime through citations and arrests for people trying to survive on the streets.
Begin Excerpt:
In the entire United States, chronically homeless represent just 14 percent of the overall homeless population, and “housing first” is not a solution for the 7.7 million Americans at risk of homelessness for economic reasons. But chronic cases -- people who've been homeless more than a year and suffer from a disability of some kind -- are the most visible of the homeless, the kind many city dwellers see on the street every day.
Pathways D.C. (the group running the housing first program in Washington DC) said that since the group opened its D.C. office in 2004, Pathways has housed 600 formerly homeless people here, of whom 90 percent have remained in their apartments. Pathways is one of several organizations helping administer the 1,312 currently filled slots in the city's permanent supportive housing program. The number of chronically homeless individuals within city limits has declined from 2,110 in 2010 to 1,609 in 2014, according to the most recently available data.
Housing first is not only effective in getting homeless people off the streets. It is also designed to save the government money. The District's 400 most vulnerable chronically homeless people soak up an average of $40,000 per person annually in ambulance rides, hospitalizations and run-ins with the law, according to a February analysis commissioned by Miriam’s Kitchen, another homeless services provider in the city. By contrast, rent and social services for someone in a permanent supportive housing program run about $20,000 annually.
Despite the proven effectiveness of housing first, many cities have taken a more punitive approach to addressing homelessness, outlawing things like sleeping in public or panhandling.
*****Original Post: December 2, 2014
Beginning of "Welcome Home Kit Drive" Flier
Kit Drive
For Homeless Individuals Being Housed
December 2, 2014 - January 9, 2015
The 50 Now Project is a program to house the top 50 most vulnerable, chronically homeless people throughout SLO County. Kicking off on Giving Tuesday 12/2/14, the Welcome Home Kit Drive will help make their future homes more cozy and ensure that the newly housed have everything they need. This is a great project for your family, friends and coworkers during the holidays!
YOU CAN HELP! Collect individual items or create your own kit. See suggested essentials below:
PERSONAL HYGIENE - toothbrush - toothpaste - soap - lotion - toilet paper - deodorant
HOUSEHOLD BASICS - paper towels - trash bags - sponges - mop - broom - dustpan
LAUNDRY - detergent - fabric softener - laundry basket - dryer sheets - roll of quarters - basket/hamper
KITCHEN - dish soap - pots - pans - aluminum foil - cling wrap - utensils
***Non-perishable, non-food items only, NO BLEACH OR AMMONIA products please.***
Lobby Drop Off Locations:
Your local Social Services office, including:
- Arroyo Grande – 1086 Grand Avenue - SLO – 3433 South Higuera
- Atascadero – 9415 El Camino Real -
- Paso Robles – 406 Spring Street
- Nipomo – 681 W. Tefft Street, Suite 1 (Department staff will accept donations)
United Way of San Luis Obispo County: 1288 Morro Street #10, Corner of Morro & Pismo in Downtown SLO
Transitions-Mental Health Association: 784 High Street, SLO
*****End of "Welcome Home Kit Drive" Flier
ANOTHER WAY TO DONATE: In addition to donating the above items for the "Welcome Home Kit", there is now an option to make a monetary donation. You can write a check made out to:
Transitions Mental Health Association
Attn: Mark Lamore
784 High St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
784 High St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
On the check, please indicate that the check is for the "Welcome Home Kit" Drive (i.e., write "Welcome Home Kit Drive" on the "For" section of the check). I will be sending in my donation today (12/3/2014). I hope you will consider doing so as well.
