Housing First

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 ›

Birth of a New Movement This weekend policy makers, activists, and outreach workers from U.S. and Canada met in #Seattle to create powerful coalition confronting homelessness/addiction crisis. Responsibility of Media At this point, we all know mainstream media is NOT going to consistently cover these raw realities in Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Philly, etc. @EricaJSandberg and other independent/citizen journos now tasked to fill this huge gap. Powerful Coalition It’s evident, “housing first” is not working and is liability for politicians who subscribe to this. Just look on streets of PNW/West Coast/Vancouver BC Canada. Prioritizing solutions for drug addiction and mental illness will be key to “housing earned.”

The Vote @KCCouncil budget committee dealt potential DEATH BLOW to #Chinatown International Dist. May 3 when they approved @kcexec‘s HOMELESS MEGAPLEX a BLOCK away in SODO. What’s STUNNING is only 1 person shared public comment. Activists say very few knew about vote. Listen to the Process Sponsor @JoeMcDermottWA is running point on this project @KCCouncil. #Chinatown activists say he FAILED to advocate on behalf of his Asian American constituents. No mention of CID. He says aspects of this will be ready by “end of the year.” Specs here. Dow’s Homelessness Czar Leo Flor runs Dept of Community+Human services for @kcexec. He’s behind recent surge of homeless hotels and this SODO MEGAPLEX. What’s disappointing for activists is lack of outreach to Read More ›

Homeless Hotels Former Extended Stay in Seattle’s Northgate neighborhood is coming on-line this month. More than 130 people moving in as part of Health Through Housing Initiative. Even with support services, some neighbors concerned of potential problems that could follow. More on the Way Seattle based non-profit DESC will be running the Northgate location. No security guards on site but they say trained staff will be there to address potential problems. County leaders trying to re-assure communities. Update The former Redmond Silver Cloud Inn was scheduled to be used as a homeless hotel but county had no staff to run it. So now it is still being used by Afghan refugees at least until early fall. Many neighbors and biz Read More ›

Clear Distinction @MayorofSeattle announced that most of the outreach, support services, shelter referrals, and anything to do with getting homeless into housing will now be in the hands of @KC_RHA. The Mayor’s office will still be handling encampment clearings and enforcement. Accountability It’s now very clear. All the questions about the hundreds of millions of dollars being poured into “housing first,” must now be directed at @KC_RHA. And CEO Marc Dones is asking for millions more for this plan. Who’s following the money trail and tracking results? City Outreach Still Happening Btw, @MayorofSeattle office will retain control of the HOPE Team, so shelter referrals and beds set aside for that team stay with the City.