Comments on: Homelessness in America: Finally, Glimmers of Light http://citiwire.net/post/1463/ Leaving behind the 20th century pattern of cheap energy, endless automobility, burgeoning suburbs, threatened inner cities. To a challenge-packed 21st century: energy prices headed north, perilous carbon emissions, deepening have-have not divisions. But a time of exciting promise, too. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:05:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Deborah Nankivell http://citiwire.net/post/1463/comment-page-1/#comment-952 Deborah Nankivell Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:50:33 +0000 http://citiwire.net/?p=1463#comment-952 As I had such a strong reaction to the notion that America is about guaranteeing outcomes instead of insuring opportunities, I have struggled with a response that balances compassion for those who have survived terrible trauma and my hard won understanding of the differences between enabling, disabling and empowerment. I believe the entrepreneurial spirit is directly related to the passion for freedom, not a focus on security. A sense of entitlement, whether born by privilege or need can work against personal growth and well being. Many who have suffered unimaginable trauma or struggled with the challenges of mental illness or addiction have found a path to recovery through authentic relationship and hard work. While the desire for symptom relief is strong, both in the sufferer and the compassionate, the root can remain buried if the focus is not deeper. Discoveries in neuroscience and quantum physics are demonstrating that we can heal what was once thought permanent. Sadly, so much of this knowledge is not readily available to those who would benefit as bureaucracies are slow to react to transformational ideas. My hope is that we invest in strategic, comprehensive approaches that address root causes while we insure support for those who cannot help themselves. To do this, we must cross disciplines, blend funding streams and hold ourselves accountable as stewards of the whole. As I had such a strong reaction to the notion that America is about guaranteeing outcomes instead of insuring opportunities, I have struggled with a response that balances compassion for those who have survived terrible trauma and my hard won understanding of the differences between enabling, disabling and empowerment. I believe the entrepreneurial spirit is directly related to the passion for freedom, not a focus on security. A sense of entitlement, whether born by privilege or need can work against personal growth and well being. Many who have suffered unimaginable trauma or struggled with the challenges of mental illness or addiction have found a path to recovery through authentic relationship and hard work. While the desire for symptom relief is strong, both in the sufferer and the compassionate, the root can remain buried if the focus is not deeper. Discoveries in neuroscience and quantum physics are demonstrating that we can heal what was once thought permanent. Sadly, so much of this knowledge is not readily available to those who would benefit as bureaucracies are slow to react to transformational ideas. My hope is that we invest in strategic, comprehensive approaches that address root causes while we insure support for those who cannot help themselves. To do this, we must cross disciplines, blend funding streams and hold ourselves accountable as stewards of the whole.

]]> By: Peg Jones http://citiwire.net/post/1463/comment-page-1/#comment-948 Peg Jones Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:46:09 +0000 http://citiwire.net/?p=1463#comment-948 Mr. Peirce's article on helping the homeless by providing homes for them was most appreciated. His providing names of those working with the problem, and alternatives to help solve it, shows there is hope. One of my saddest recent memories is of a veteran going through a garbage bin on a city street in Macon, Georgia. (It could have happened anywhere.) He had just been released from a VA hospital and showed me his service cards. I helped him with what I had with me but still wish I could have done more. This heartbreaking problem should not exist for anyone in this country. Mr. Peirce’s article on helping the homeless by providing homes for them was most appreciated. His providing names of those working with the problem, and alternatives to help solve it, shows there is hope.
One of my saddest recent memories is of a veteran going through a garbage bin on a city street in Macon, Georgia. (It could have happened anywhere.) He had just been released from a VA hospital and showed me his service cards. I helped him with what I had with me but still wish I could have done more. This heartbreaking problem should not exist for anyone in this country.

]]> By: Judy Lightfoot http://citiwire.net/post/1463/comment-page-1/#comment-945 Judy Lightfoot Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:35:19 +0000 http://citiwire.net/?p=1463#comment-945 Here are some figures on how much 1811 Eastlake has saved taxpayers by radically minimizing use of costly crisis responses (ambulances, ER visits, arrests, incarcerations): "A first year analysis of the program found that it saved the county $2.5 million dollars in one year by significantly cutting residents’ medical expenses, county jail bookings, sobering center usage, and shelter usage. The savings dwarfed the project’s $1.1 million operating costs. After one year, 66% of the residents remained in the housing. Residents have voluntarily cut their alcohol consumption in half." Homes Not Handcuffs - http://www.nationalhomeless.org/publications/crimreport/crimreport_2009.pdf Here are some figures on how much 1811 Eastlake has saved taxpayers by radically minimizing use of costly crisis responses (ambulances, ER visits, arrests, incarcerations): “A first year analysis of the program found that it saved the county $2.5 million dollars in one year by significantly cutting residents’ medical expenses, county jail bookings, sobering center usage, and shelter usage. The savings dwarfed the project’s $1.1 million operating costs. After one year, 66% of the residents remained in the housing. Residents have voluntarily cut their alcohol consumption in half.”
Homes Not Handcuffs – http://www.nationalhomeless.org/publications/crimreport/crimreport_2009.pdf

]]> By: Jason Blankenship http://citiwire.net/post/1463/comment-page-1/#comment-942 Jason Blankenship Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:28:30 +0000 http://citiwire.net/?p=1463#comment-942 I believe that every single-family home constructed larger than a maximum exempt status square footage (to ensure that the struggling folks aren't chained to the burden) should be required to construct a tiny bunk room on the property. This bunk room should be legally set aside as public space for those in need. Or the community should be responsible for creating bunk rooms. After all, in our society of plenty what gives that a dry place to sleep cannot be found? I believe that every single-family home constructed larger than a maximum exempt status square footage (to ensure that the struggling folks aren’t chained to the burden) should be required to construct a tiny bunk room on the property. This bunk room should be legally set aside as public space for those in need. Or the community should be responsible for creating bunk rooms. After all, in our society of plenty what gives that a dry place to sleep cannot be found?

]]> By: Neal Peirce http://citiwire.net/post/1463/comment-page-1/#comment-939 Neal Peirce Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:43:41 +0000 http://citiwire.net/?p=1463#comment-939 Comment received from Tony R. Ansaldo I think I support the notion of the homeless program. $11,000,000 for 75 folks in Seattle comes to $75,000 per bed, seems like a lot. Prisons are at about $100,000/bed, classrooms about $25,000. What’s up? Neal Peirce response: Sure, rooms may cost about $75,000 each. But the long-term security for the previously homeless men will decrease costs to the public for medical and mental treatment, policing, and not unlikely incarceration, far more. Not to mention: might there be a moral issues here as well? Comment received from Tony R. Ansaldo

I think I support the notion of the homeless program. $11,000,000 for 75 folks in Seattle comes to $75,000 per bed, seems like a lot. Prisons are at about $100,000/bed, classrooms about $25,000. What’s up?

Neal Peirce response: Sure, rooms may cost about $75,000 each. But the long-term security for the previously homeless men will decrease costs to the public for medical and mental treatment, policing, and not unlikely incarceration, far more. Not to mention: might there be a moral issues here as well?

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