About a year ago, my friend Mark Putnam became director of the Committee to End Homelessness (CEH) in King County. I was excited and impressed when he recently announced that in just one year, the number of chronically homeless people in King County has decreased by over 30 percent.
This is a significant milestone because it shows that by targeting specific sets of needs with effective, tailored strategies, it is possible to move the needle on a seemingly daunting goal. As Mark told me, "This shows that it's possible. It gives us hope that homelessness is solvable, that we can end homelessness."
There are several different homeless populations, each one requiring varying approaches to prevention and repair. Chronically homeless people -- defined nationally as individuals with a disabling condition who have been homeless for over a year, or at least four times in the past three years -- have the most complex needs, but the most evidence for a solution. The answer, according to Mark, is permanent, supportive housing.
There has been a lot of great press around the nearly eradicated chronic homelessness in Utah, which has made people wonder if such a feat can be accomplished in other areas. It looks like Seattle is determined to prove that it can make similar strides.
The biggest question I had for Mark was this: How can more people help with CEH's goal of making homelessness rare, brief and a one-time occurrence? Here are a few ideas:
LandlordsIf you are a landlord or property manager, think about renting to homeless or low-income tenants. Programs like the One Home campaign in King County provide financial and social services backing to mitigate the risk of renting to individuals with an inconsistent employment history or lack of references. Public supportive housing alone cannot meet the demand, so the private market must contribute to these housing needs. One landlord I talked to had found great satisfaction in being able to help this struggling population.
Advocates There are several housing initiatives that you can support. Here in Washington State, the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance has many opportunities for advocates to work on projects that Mark and the CEH believe will help make the goal of ending homelessness a reality. And on a federal level, the National Alliance to End Homelessness provides the opportunity to stay up-to-date on advocacy opportunities and offers suggestions for other ways to help. Awareness and support are critical to keeping the momentum going to reduce chronic homelessness in areas like Seattle and Utah, and will provide the foundation for introducing this supportive housing approach in more places.
Change Leaders
We need more people who are not just aware of the homeless crisis in our cities -- and in our country at large -- but who are driven to think about solutions and move them forward. As Mark said, simply put, "Homeless people need homes."
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