2017 Op-Ed published in The Salt Lake Tribune

Op-Ed submitted this afternoon to The San Francisco Chronicle:

The Homeless: Choosing a Way that Works

There is another way.  In fact, there are many other ways that actually work – clearing encampments does not work.  

More homeless people live in California than any other state, and San Francisco is in the top ten cities for homeless population.  There are public health and quality of life problems that come along with high numbers of homeless persons.  Governor Newsome and the state have dedicated resources and tax dollars to addressing the problem, yet, I know we can do better–and in other times and places, we have.  

In Rochester, NY, rather than bulldozing encampments, government and local organizations collaborated to enhance them (see https://13wham.com/news/local/peace-village-improvements-pcho-snow-cold-weather-homeless-unhoused ) .  A few years ago, Germany started supplying sleeping pods for the homeless (see https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/55778733 ).  Mitch Snyder and the creation of CCNV in the 1980s saved thousands of  lives in Washington DC, and it still does.  

As of this writing, I’m near the end of a cross-country bike ride to raise awareness and funds to address homelessness.  The funds raised have gone to a dozen local organizations across the country that have effectively, humanely housed the homeless for decades.   

Tuesday, August 13th, two organizations in San Francisco will receive the Breaking the Cycle Award: Hospitality House and Mission Action (previously Dolores Street Community Services).  At that event I will discuss ways to eradicate homelessness in San Francisco and California.  In other districts and nations–where the numbers aren’t as daunting–any one of the following can–and has–proved effective.  

In California, a multipronged strategy that includes some or all of the following is needed: 

1. Add boarding facilities to the high school with the highest percentage of students identified as low socio-economic status;

2. Support religious institutions’ efforts by providing assistance to add 1-2 trailers/mini-homes on their property to serve the homeless; 

3. Expand and enhance rooms for refugees programs to include our homegrown refugees;

4. Partner with vocational programs and NGOs to build mini-homes for the homeless;  

5. Collaborate with local organizations and businesses to convert abandoned/vacant homes, offices, and buildings to apartments for the homeless;

6. Collaborate with local organizations and businesses to convert motels to permanent supportive housing for the homeless;

7. Identify effective local organizations and give them the resources they need to increase their capacity;  

8. Establish a robust homelessness prevention system that enables law enforcement, landlords, philanthropists, local NGOs and the local housing authority to provide rent support to eradicate eviction.

All of the above have been tried and have worked.  Clearing encampments does not work–it’s a waste of time, money, and resources.  It’s a permanent stain on our character.  The encampments quickly reappear.  Prisons cost taxpayers three to five times more than the above eight suggestions.