Solutions Anyone?

So what exactly does "chronic homelessness" and "street homelessness" mean? Chronic homelessness is defined as an unaccompanied person who has a disability who has been homeless for at least one year or has had several episodes of homelessness during the past 3 years. Most of the people who are chronically homeless live on the street; they sleep, eat and survive on the concrete, in camps or in wooded areas. Many chronically homeless people have serious mental illnesses and/or struggle with substance abuse. Most have been in treatment programs several times and yet still find themselves repeatedly on the streets. So what is the solution? Should we continue to make our clients conform to our expectations and force them to erase all of their personal barriers before housing is offered or should we provide housing first and then address barriers to success?

We believe that meeting clients where they are and immediately providing them with permanent supportive housing is the ANSWER! This is a huge task and requires a total infrastructure overhaul! This concept is not new but does take dedication and patience. Research has shown that stable housing combined with global supportive services is an essential component to ending chronic street homelessness. The best part is that it is one of the most cost-effective interventions! Most people who experience chronic homelessness draw services from many federal, state, and local systems, including hospitals, corrections systems, and the like. Permanent supportive housing curbs use of these systems and reduces public costs. WOW! This intervention has proven to work time and time again in many other cities who have embraced the housing first model with supportive services. Supportive services are essential; can you imagine having daily contact with support staff that makes sure you attended all of your appointments, asks you how they can help, and celebrates your successes while managing your barriers? Talk about a way to ensure success in housing!

-Kristi-