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Increase the number of Section 8 vouchers available in communities. Create and fund additional Section 8 Vouchers for the chronically homeless with multiple barriers to housing. Be sure to include onsite support services focused on working with people to remain stable and embedding them into the community.
Wendy
shared this idea
4 comments
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Angela
commented
Whew! I don't envy anyone making policy at all, but I'll help in any possible way I can! Lets focus on 3 major goals:
1) We are ending homelessness for EVERYONE, Nationally (there's no forum for that!)
a)in our youth and adults(who our youth will become...)
b) in our families who provide the support that individuals need, set an example good/bad for youth to follow
c)shelter, as clean air, healthy food, clean water, and support are not only essential for survival, but essential to any contributing member of their community, and society as a whole.
2) expand supportive services to encompass all causes and effects of homelessness and employ preventative and rehabilitation measures effectively
a)to evaluate and increase real effectiveness of these services by:
1)Providing these services through stable housing. This ensures that we have the means to evaluate services and provide them. *it's a good indicator programs need to change their services and tactics if their clients are exiting the program before they become stable and are homeless again*
b)Using client feedback based methods of evaluating services(Our only goal should be to provide the services they actually need and are effectively treating, preventing and supporting the individuals and families they are for) *forcing a healthy family which only needs resources or any child into housing that is not safe, to include surrounding neighbors/family members themselves is unacceptable, and completely irresponsible; failing to provide needed services/an environment in which the client can become stable(one in which the client would rather be homeless) is obviously ineffective.*
- one successful program being implemented right now for chronic homeless alcoholics/drug users is to provide them with their own individual(not shared) housing and case management. This not only provides them with the stability they need to start treatment at their own pace, but also serves as "damage control" as they are extremely disruptive, cause physical harm/damage to people and property in their communities.(they can drink in their own homes- many refuse shelters because they cannot drink/refuse in and outpatient treatment services because they have no stable housing to come back to,which must obviously be stressful and depressing)-
c)We determine the help/resources our population needs by asking them and allowing them easy access to knowledge of services. We unify all current available research and statistics to determine the areas in which services need to be changed/improved/expanded.
3)We have adequate funding and resources to ensure we meet every individual and family's needs who resides in our United States of America.
a) Our first priority is to ensure every resident with the necessities of survival, healthy food,clean water, breathable air, and safe homes. If anyone, for whatever reason is not able to provide these for themselves or their families(this is our changed definition of poverty), we provide them, to the extent they require, and support them through resources and services until they are able to consistently provide these for themselves/ no longer wish to receive services.
b)in the event where the need for our resources/services is estimated to be greater than our available resources/services, we will acquire them before their quality is compromised.
1)By letting the general public know what we need and the goals we are achieving, they will be more willing to support them, and help provide creative solutions that we might never have thought of. Requesting donations (monetary, food, household items/furniture, volunteer time) from individuals and businesses, and using feedback systems (211/ forums like this) we will have unlimited solutions to any obstacle that may arise. If we need more housing, we will build it. If we need more food, we can grow it. If we need additional funding, we'll generate it.
b) We will ensure that our resources are used to directly benefit those who need them. We eliminate the complications and administrative positions in existing organizations that do not directly provide necessary services, by centralizing and coordinating their efforts, and transitioning all current employees into more useful positions. We are accountable for all funding that is gained and used, and conduct our operations with integrity, so our budgets/successes are celebrated and published (in all forms of media, locally and nationally)
Please read my idea (End Homelessness by addressing it directly.... ) and my other posts (Angela) for a few ideas that make these goals possible. I would be happy to answer any questions: e-mail angel@mail2my.com
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phenomina
commented
kellen this may be true, but, establishing housing with more lenient rules on a more secure basis for the dysfunctional program participants, is also key. MAKE IT HARDER FOR THEM TO BREAK RULES, because the rules will not exclude them from the housing. The use of a drug should not put people , especially families , out in the street. If they do not pay their rent or utilities, but they have a regular paycheck, then do direct electronic deposits of rent and utilities, under a conservator's control not theirs, for that purpose. That takes care of that! if they don't have the regular income, then take their rent down to 0. Face it some people cannot handle money or act responsibly due to their mental problems, so someone else should manage their monthly check as far as the basics, to keep them housed. this would be in order to protect all concerned.
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Kellen
commented
I work in a homeless shelter. We are drowning in supportive housing programs. However, they are created for a population which does not exist.
The belief seems to be that homeless individuals are just like anyone else, only they have lost a job or encountered a momentary setback. The belief continues that if we can intervene to reestablish them in housing, they will resume their formerly productive lifestyle.
There is a second line of thinking which posits that there is a problem with low income individuals and families having access to housing.
Both of these theories are inaccurate. Research has shown that there are marked functional differences between low income families who are housed and low income families who are homeless. Nor are homeless families or individuals just working folks like the rest of us who have hit a rough spot.
There are glorious exceptions to what I'm about to say, but I'm referring to the population in general. In general, the homeless population consists of individuals who are severely dysfunctional. By this I mean they have a long and vast history of not functioning on any level. They do not work, they do not pay their bills, they do not maintain housing (even when placed in affordable or supported housing), they do not maintain relationships, they do not send their kids to school, they do not follow rules or procedures, they do not obey the law, etc. etc.
This dysfunction is what must be addressed in order for homelessness to decrease.
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Ken Maness
commented
Housing is critical. HUD must make all programs with components involving housing give priority to homeless persons. Housing Authority Section 8 vouchers are one example.. top priority to house individuals and families should be mandated as a top priority for Housing Authorities across the country if USICH and HUD want to End Homelessness.
