Fix Homelessness How to rebuild human lives

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police treat addict

Police Save Lives in Seattle’s Fentanyl Crisis

They’re Heroes @SeattleFire and @SeattlePD saved man’s life earlier today in #Seattle as he overdosed on #fentanyl. When will lawmakers realize this is a drug addiction crisis? You can’t build your way out of this! @GovInslee @MayorofSeattle @kcexec @SeattleCouncil @CMAndrewJLewis Changing Narrative We see it on 3rd Ave and Little Saigon daily. City leaders must now admit it’s an addiction crisis. Every encampment is littered with drug paraphernalia. Out of record 310 homeless deaths last year, majority were #fentanyl related. #Seattle Actual Breakdown of Homeless Deaths Seattle 2022 -70% fentanyl related. -18 homeless people died by homicide. -35 homeless people died from natural causes. -10 homeless people died from hypothermia or exposure. -7 homeless people died from suicide. https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/washington/articles/2023-01-16/fentanyl-fuels-record-homeless-deaths-in-seattle-area Stunning Read More ›

outreach worker serves food

Downtown Encampment Cleared Dozens of Times Poses Safety Threat

Close Call Once again, #Seattle crews cleared tents along 3rd Ave & Cherry St, block away from City Hall. I usually go back to see if anyone returned. Today, a deranged AXE WIELDING man came charging at me. Officials have to STOP this from coming back. @MayorofSeattle @GovInslee Danger to Community As I have reported before, area’s been cleared dozens of times. But many are not homeless and stay nearby at @DESCSeattle‘s Lyon building or Morrison. They set up “trap tents” to sell or do drugs. Worst kept secret. @MayorofSeattle @KC_RHA @kcexec#Seattle Back in November 2022 New Year same issues at 3rd Ave & Cherry St, one of most problematic areas in city. Many say they are not homeless. They Read More ›

pile of old shoes clothes
Pile of old clothes and shoes dumped on the grass as junk and garbage, littering and polluting the environment
Pile of old clothes and shoes dumped on the grass as junk and garbage, littering and polluting the environment

“Housing First” Five Year Plan will Cost King County Billions

Five Year Plan Today, @KC_RHA released strategy to “Dramatically Reduce Unsheltered Homelessness.” Agency says there will be “measurable, accountable success.” But it’s based on failed “HOUSING FIRST” policy. No requirements for drug addiction and mental health treatment. #Seattle Costs Nearly 12 Billion Bucks @KCCReaganDunn blasting @KC_RHA 5 year plan essentially saying the agency is focused on funding the wrong things. Says it will be a failure and black hole for tax payers. #Seattle#KingCounty#Bellevue#Kirkland#Redmond#FederalWay#Kent#Renton Mark Dones’s Baby Here is the Executive Summary. Click image below. #Seattle#KingCounty Quite A Read I’m still digesting @KC_RHA and Marc Dones’ game plan. Notice the agency is careful not to say this will end homelessness. Ultimately, what does success or failure look like after 5 years? Read More ›

woman-hand-holds-wooden-house-against-the-sun-stockpack-adobe-stock
Woman hand holds wooden house against the sun
Woman hand holds wooden house against the sun

Assessing Alternatives to Homelessness

Homeless people given their own apartments are often the same. We are apparently made for community with at least one other person. Read More ›
north-america-lights

Discovery Institute Joins North America Recovers Coalition to Combat Homelessness

With support from Discovery and other coalition partners, North America Recovers has launched a public campaign calling on lawmakers to embrace addiction recovery for Americans, not addiction enablement. Read More ›
seattle police

Seattle’s DESC Reveals Pitfalls of “Housing First”

Where’s the Accountability? @DESCSeattle properties remain a massive drain on #Seattle especially when city is already down officers. These units house formerly homeless, but do not require treatment for drug addiction or mental illness. This is the “HOUSING FIRST” model in action. DESC Problems #Seattle‘s first homicide of year on Jan. 2 happened inside CANADAY HOUSE. @DESCSeattle properties deal with high rates of complaints and 911 calls. Units house formerly homeless, drug addicts, and people struggling with mental health issues. Complaints Stacking Up Homeowners near @DESCSeattle’s Clement Place(“HOUSING FIRST”model) documented numerous problems caused by some residents. Fights, drugs, attempted burglary. Neighbors claim DESC building managers are ignoring them. #seattleicestorm Downtown Disaster City has cleared tents off 3rd Ave and Cherry Read More ›

Albert Lee Encampment

Crews Clear Ballard Encampment, But Campers Say They Will Return

Repeat Performance Monday, I arrived after crews removed Ballard encampment near Fred Meyer and Albert Lee stores. City cleared several times in past. Few homeless fellas returned and showed me how to get high off fentanyl residue.

Greenwood Encampment

Seattle’s Addiction Crisis Comes to Greenwood

Absolute Tragedy Earlier, I walked through growing encampment near @LIHIhousing Cate Apartments in Greenwood. Saw 3 guys completely shredded on fentanyl/”blues.” This is PROOF POSITIVE an addiction crisis. Back in December Look how minor this situation was @LIHIhousing Cate Apartments just a few weeks ago. @CampSiteSeattle first to report on this. City had ample warning, but nothing was done and more campers are setting up. Hot Mess At least this spot across street from @LIHIhousing Cate Apartments got cleaned up and fenced off. For months, homeless took over former Georgia’s Greek Restaurant parking lot in Greenwood.

acadia protest

Community Fights Back Against Incoming Opioid Clinic

Momentum Builds #Lynnwood protesters hit streets for second weekend in a row to fight Acadia Healthcare’s controversial OPIOD CLINIC near Boys & Girls Club. @safeLynnwood organizers promising to protect community and now calling in more reinforcements. @WADeptHealth @GovInslee Same Concerns @safeLynnwood community coalition is worried about drug dealers preying on addicts, crime increasing, and more tents going up nearby since some clients are homeless. They’re also trying to find out if any clients are registered sex offenders.

datapoints journals
Man holding magazines; panoramic banner
Photo licensed via Adobe Stock

Examining the Scholarly Record

The academic journal literature on homelessness is vast, but during the past decade oversimplification has ruled. The Obama administration made “Housing First!” the official U.S. policy, with homeless people to be given their own apartments. Programs that emphasized “Clean and Sober first” became ineligible for federal aid, and mental health issues became secondary. Typical academic analyses of homelessness found — surprise! — that “Housing First!” is great. A lot of scholarly research up to 2009, though, revealed homelessness complexities. Here are four examples:  Key insights:Homeless adults who are alcoholics have “unusually high levels of mental health symptomatology…. Adults with alcohol problems are so debilitated that they readily become homeless (as compared to being domiciled under very trying circumstances) when also Read More ›