Posted on Dec 5, 2015
Do you know the Answer to Resolving Homelessness?
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Do you know the Answer to Resolving Homelessness?
This not only about our veterans that are homeless, but all Americans. Let's see what Carrie Nowocin, CEO, Carry Me Productions (affordable housing) ahs to say about it
I posted the entire article here for your review and feedback.
Over the last 10 years many large cities have been promising to end homelessness, and now we have a “crisis”. Sorry but this is NOT a crisis, this is a social epidemic and anyone can fall victim to it. A crisis typically has a solution/plan within a few days. A crisis is Katrina. A crisis is the BP oil spill. Homelessness is NOT a crisis. Since we got that out of the way, we can discuss a “cure” to this epidemic.
To find a cure for anything, we must first assess the issue.
Who experiences homelessness?
People don’t always become homeless overnight.
Not everyone who is homeless is mentally ill or has a drug addiction.
The majority of those who are experiencing homelessness work.
The majority of those who are without a home are not counted in the “city” counts.
What are the causes of homelessness?
1. Lack of affordable housing.
2. Low wages.
3. Mental health takes its toll.
4. People do not have health coverage.
5. Addiction
6. Lack of support services (family, social, economic)
What do most city officials want to do about those who are homeless?
1. Decentralize services within major cities.
2. Tear down living spaces so people leave the area.
3. Shame those who feel hopeless.
4. Hide people. Out of sight, out of mind.
So then, what is needed?
1. More affordable housing.
If we do the math, a single person living off minimum wage makes an estimated $18,720 a year (without taxes). In order to be able to live alone comfortably, a 1 br needs to be $416/month.
Uh, I don’t know any major cities where anyone can find a 1br for that price. No wonder people are homeless.
2. Stop thinking of only housing those who are “chronically” homeless. If nonprofits only focus on those who are chronically homeless (3 yrs or more), then more individuals will become chronically homeless. The whole idea is counter-productive.
To find a solution to homelessness, I have listed the types of homelessness by Tiers. 6 being the least at risk of health concerns and 1 most at risk of health concerns:
(a) Tier 6 (Preventative care) – Just like we do with healthcare, preventative homelessness care would teach people how to manage their money and live within their means. If someone can only make minimum wage, they need to not try to live in a large city. I know that sounds mean, but really it’s not. When I was in college, I did an internship in Rochester, MN. My rent was $230/month. Guess how much money I saved. Oh, plus I didn’t have a car. I took the bus everywhere.
(b) Tier 5 (Intervention) – See someone on the verge of becoming homeless, help them. Move them out of their current situation and provide social services to help with money management and financial planning.
(c) Tier 4 (Transients) – Build hostels for them to stay in. There are many transients in cities like Venice Beach, CA where all they need is a room. There are some hostels, but not enough for those just “passing through”.
(d) Tier 3 (Newbies) – Emergency shelters should only be serving these people. Shelters should be segregated as such:
Sex
Families
People with pets
Veterans
Disabled (physical and mental separated)
These are the folks and families that are just out on their own. Life took a turn where they lost everything and no one was there to intervene or help to prevent it from happening. Provide social services to help these people get back on their feet. A lot of the time, these people know what happened, but just don’t know how to get back on track. Support groups and counseling would be great for this tier.
(e) Tier 2 (Hotel dwellers or couch surfers) – Once identified, this tier needs to be moved into temporary housing. The housing would consist of homes converted into a “transitional home”. The housing should also be segregated as presented in item d.
This group usually consist of families with young children. They stay in hotels at the first of the month, until their money runs out. Then they typically live in their car or crash at a friend or family member’s house for a few months.
(f) Tier 1 (Chronic) – These people have been homeless 3 or more years. Typically they have become “stuck” in this system because they were brushed aside. Most of those who are chronically homeless are struggling with multiple physical and mental health issues, which can all be helped.
3. Stop making people feel bad because something caused them to become homeless.
4. Stop handing out Band-Aids. Blankets and tents are not going to solve anything. I’m appreciative for those who help others in need, but people need to stop believing that blankets and tents are a solution to problems.
5. Stop trying to hide the homeless. If they are hiding, we can’t help them. Hire them to clean the streets they live on. Give them hope, not hate.
6. Stop focusing on decentralizing services and start focusing on the gaps of the services.
7. What is and isn’t working? That’s the first assessment I would conduct if I was in a large city. If nonprofits are going to join an alliance or coalition, have a solid plan to address the needs of the people.
8. Think about converting abandoned buildings in to dorms. (We have a program for this if interested.)
9. An alliance (what we call partnership) should consist of the following and no more than one of each:
Social service provider
Financial planning assistance
Legal counsel/assistance
Housing provider
Mental health provider
Disabilities provider
Education/Job training
Liaison for all to work together
Outreach group
I don’t tell people we are experts in this sector, but to be honest, it’s not rocket science.
The solution is to forget about making a ton of money and go back to the reason your nonprofit was started, to help people.
So now the breakdown in spending.
This is how I envision it going down (if I was a big leader with 100M to spend):
1M for staff which would include all providers listed under item 10.
40M two additional emergency shelters (Tier 3 above). These shelters will include all services under item 10.
20M for Tier 5 and 6. This would be considered more community investment money. Help people move out of the expensive locations and find jobs and education options to help them become successful. (We have a plan in progress for these Tiers but what we do won't cost nearly as much because we have partnered with others who are experts.)
10M for Tier 4. Build clean places for people to stay short term. Provide police protection and get people off beaches and county parks.
15M for Tier 2. Invest in transitional and permanent living spaces which families and individuals can stay in for low cost until they get back on their feet. (We have a program in progress for this tier as well, but at a fraction of the cost.)
14M for Tier 1. This might be used for rehab for substance abuse and mental health. Offer nice places for people to recover from their illnesses. This would be an investment in the community. The cities can partner with some private centers to help those who really want the help but can’t afford it. The county could purchase distressed land to build ranches and therapy centers for those recovering from homelessness.
If you or anyone you know are interested to learn more about any of these Tiers and how I suggest they be implemented, contact me [login to see] .
I’d be happy to share. I just want to help people get OFF the streets and make some of these nonprofits get out of the housing business, including Carry Me Productions. If you’re tired of social Band-Aids, please consider donating to our cause. Invest in your community. Our passion is to carry people to safety and independence.
This not only about our veterans that are homeless, but all Americans. Let's see what Carrie Nowocin, CEO, Carry Me Productions (affordable housing) ahs to say about it
I posted the entire article here for your review and feedback.
Over the last 10 years many large cities have been promising to end homelessness, and now we have a “crisis”. Sorry but this is NOT a crisis, this is a social epidemic and anyone can fall victim to it. A crisis typically has a solution/plan within a few days. A crisis is Katrina. A crisis is the BP oil spill. Homelessness is NOT a crisis. Since we got that out of the way, we can discuss a “cure” to this epidemic.
To find a cure for anything, we must first assess the issue.
Who experiences homelessness?
People don’t always become homeless overnight.
Not everyone who is homeless is mentally ill or has a drug addiction.
The majority of those who are experiencing homelessness work.
The majority of those who are without a home are not counted in the “city” counts.
What are the causes of homelessness?
1. Lack of affordable housing.
2. Low wages.
3. Mental health takes its toll.
4. People do not have health coverage.
5. Addiction
6. Lack of support services (family, social, economic)
What do most city officials want to do about those who are homeless?
1. Decentralize services within major cities.
2. Tear down living spaces so people leave the area.
3. Shame those who feel hopeless.
4. Hide people. Out of sight, out of mind.
So then, what is needed?
1. More affordable housing.
If we do the math, a single person living off minimum wage makes an estimated $18,720 a year (without taxes). In order to be able to live alone comfortably, a 1 br needs to be $416/month.
Uh, I don’t know any major cities where anyone can find a 1br for that price. No wonder people are homeless.
2. Stop thinking of only housing those who are “chronically” homeless. If nonprofits only focus on those who are chronically homeless (3 yrs or more), then more individuals will become chronically homeless. The whole idea is counter-productive.
To find a solution to homelessness, I have listed the types of homelessness by Tiers. 6 being the least at risk of health concerns and 1 most at risk of health concerns:
(a) Tier 6 (Preventative care) – Just like we do with healthcare, preventative homelessness care would teach people how to manage their money and live within their means. If someone can only make minimum wage, they need to not try to live in a large city. I know that sounds mean, but really it’s not. When I was in college, I did an internship in Rochester, MN. My rent was $230/month. Guess how much money I saved. Oh, plus I didn’t have a car. I took the bus everywhere.
(b) Tier 5 (Intervention) – See someone on the verge of becoming homeless, help them. Move them out of their current situation and provide social services to help with money management and financial planning.
(c) Tier 4 (Transients) – Build hostels for them to stay in. There are many transients in cities like Venice Beach, CA where all they need is a room. There are some hostels, but not enough for those just “passing through”.
(d) Tier 3 (Newbies) – Emergency shelters should only be serving these people. Shelters should be segregated as such:
Sex
Families
People with pets
Veterans
Disabled (physical and mental separated)
These are the folks and families that are just out on their own. Life took a turn where they lost everything and no one was there to intervene or help to prevent it from happening. Provide social services to help these people get back on their feet. A lot of the time, these people know what happened, but just don’t know how to get back on track. Support groups and counseling would be great for this tier.
(e) Tier 2 (Hotel dwellers or couch surfers) – Once identified, this tier needs to be moved into temporary housing. The housing would consist of homes converted into a “transitional home”. The housing should also be segregated as presented in item d.
This group usually consist of families with young children. They stay in hotels at the first of the month, until their money runs out. Then they typically live in their car or crash at a friend or family member’s house for a few months.
(f) Tier 1 (Chronic) – These people have been homeless 3 or more years. Typically they have become “stuck” in this system because they were brushed aside. Most of those who are chronically homeless are struggling with multiple physical and mental health issues, which can all be helped.
3. Stop making people feel bad because something caused them to become homeless.
4. Stop handing out Band-Aids. Blankets and tents are not going to solve anything. I’m appreciative for those who help others in need, but people need to stop believing that blankets and tents are a solution to problems.
5. Stop trying to hide the homeless. If they are hiding, we can’t help them. Hire them to clean the streets they live on. Give them hope, not hate.
6. Stop focusing on decentralizing services and start focusing on the gaps of the services.
7. What is and isn’t working? That’s the first assessment I would conduct if I was in a large city. If nonprofits are going to join an alliance or coalition, have a solid plan to address the needs of the people.
8. Think about converting abandoned buildings in to dorms. (We have a program for this if interested.)
9. An alliance (what we call partnership) should consist of the following and no more than one of each:
Social service provider
Financial planning assistance
Legal counsel/assistance
Housing provider
Mental health provider
Disabilities provider
Education/Job training
Liaison for all to work together
Outreach group
I don’t tell people we are experts in this sector, but to be honest, it’s not rocket science.
The solution is to forget about making a ton of money and go back to the reason your nonprofit was started, to help people.
So now the breakdown in spending.
This is how I envision it going down (if I was a big leader with 100M to spend):
1M for staff which would include all providers listed under item 10.
40M two additional emergency shelters (Tier 3 above). These shelters will include all services under item 10.
20M for Tier 5 and 6. This would be considered more community investment money. Help people move out of the expensive locations and find jobs and education options to help them become successful. (We have a plan in progress for these Tiers but what we do won't cost nearly as much because we have partnered with others who are experts.)
10M for Tier 4. Build clean places for people to stay short term. Provide police protection and get people off beaches and county parks.
15M for Tier 2. Invest in transitional and permanent living spaces which families and individuals can stay in for low cost until they get back on their feet. (We have a program in progress for this tier as well, but at a fraction of the cost.)
14M for Tier 1. This might be used for rehab for substance abuse and mental health. Offer nice places for people to recover from their illnesses. This would be an investment in the community. The cities can partner with some private centers to help those who really want the help but can’t afford it. The county could purchase distressed land to build ranches and therapy centers for those recovering from homelessness.
If you or anyone you know are interested to learn more about any of these Tiers and how I suggest they be implemented, contact me [login to see] .
I’d be happy to share. I just want to help people get OFF the streets and make some of these nonprofits get out of the housing business, including Carry Me Productions. If you’re tired of social Band-Aids, please consider donating to our cause. Invest in your community. Our passion is to carry people to safety and independence.
Homeless
Problem Solving
What Would You Do
Fixing Things
Edited >1 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 45
3
3
0
The biggest answer to resolve homelessness is to crack down on the predatory housing market. I remember my first apartment. I started out paying 700 bucks a month for a 1 bedroom. By the time I left, I was paying almost 1200 a month. My pay never went up once during that period. I ended up needing to take a 2nd and a 3rd job just to be able to afford rent/utilities/food/gas. It ended up being cheaper for me to put all my personal possessions in storage and live in my car than it was to try and maintain an apartment that I was never around to enjoy.
Another thing to consider is the mental health issue which seems to be an issue that no one wants to talk about. There are some people who actually choose to be homeless, not because of some financial reason, but mentally they are uncomfortable being like everyone else. I've known 1 or 2 people who felt claustrophobic being indoors for any length of time.
I've seen some people say that we should just give them free housing. The problem is that creates a dependency issue. The homeless do need homes, this is true, but instead of just giving them homes, maybe we can work on making homes rent-to-own. Take foreclosed homes, put a family in them, maybe charge 100 bucks a month for rent to help them get back on their feet. Check in on them in 6 months to a year. If they're doing better, raise the rent to 200 bucks. Keep repeating until the payment is equal to what the standard mortgage payment would be. And instead of just going into anyone's pocket, all the rent money collected will be put in as a down payment on the house. This will not only help keep the homeless from being homeless, but this might restore some of the self-confidence that is typically lost when you find yourself living on the street or in your car.
Another thing to consider is the mental health issue which seems to be an issue that no one wants to talk about. There are some people who actually choose to be homeless, not because of some financial reason, but mentally they are uncomfortable being like everyone else. I've known 1 or 2 people who felt claustrophobic being indoors for any length of time.
I've seen some people say that we should just give them free housing. The problem is that creates a dependency issue. The homeless do need homes, this is true, but instead of just giving them homes, maybe we can work on making homes rent-to-own. Take foreclosed homes, put a family in them, maybe charge 100 bucks a month for rent to help them get back on their feet. Check in on them in 6 months to a year. If they're doing better, raise the rent to 200 bucks. Keep repeating until the payment is equal to what the standard mortgage payment would be. And instead of just going into anyone's pocket, all the rent money collected will be put in as a down payment on the house. This will not only help keep the homeless from being homeless, but this might restore some of the self-confidence that is typically lost when you find yourself living on the street or in your car.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
Cpl Justin Goolsby Some very good insight and points! I agree let's stay away from the handouts and entitlement process!
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COL Mikel Butroughs. This is a very good article. I would always say to help the homeless here in America that the government needs to stop giving all these other countries around the globe money to fight wars, and to rebuild city's and so on. They need to take that money and build affordable housing here in America. I had asked at the Va here in Hampton Virginia how I could get help getting my own place, cause I rent a room from a lady. They told me I didn't qualify for help with getting a place of my own because I wasn't living in a homeless shelter, I wasn't living on the street, and I'm not like Bing out of my car. When I explained that I have to be inside to be dry because of wounds and machines I have to be hooked up to, plus I need electricity daily. She told me I still didn't qualify. The his is how our government looks at some people.
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Anita Nowocin
Additional resources to checkk into:
http://www.vbcdc.org/#!housing-for-veterans/c1ugg
http://www.shelterlistings.org/city/hampton-va.html
http://www.hamptonroadshousing.org/resources/loans.html
Hampton Housing Authority
Housing Authority
Address: 1 Franklin St #603, Hampton, VA 23669
Phone: [login to see]
http://www.vbcdc.org/#!housing-for-veterans/c1ugg
http://www.shelterlistings.org/city/hampton-va.html
http://www.hamptonroadshousing.org/resources/loans.html
Hampton Housing Authority
Housing Authority
Address: 1 Franklin St #603, Hampton, VA 23669
Phone: [login to see]
The official website of Virginia Beach Community Development Corporation (VBCDC), a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in the affordable housing industry.
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Anita Nowocin
SSG Leo Bell - Check with the other organizations I listed following your response. They may offer you a room at the Virginia Beach facility. Additional resources are listed (see More). You probably need someone to advocate for you.
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Anita Nowocin
Anita Nowocin - Have you considered sharing a 2 bedroom apartment with another Veteran? Just trying to think of options for you.
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SSG Leo Bell
Anita Nowocin - Yes I have and trying to look for one. My roommate now is a lady I found on roommates.com and she is cool. The rent is 600 a month and she gets upset when I cook in the house cause she has some medical problems and she doesn't cook and doesn't like the smell of cooking food. Don't ask. I can't have anyone stay for more then one night because she doesn't want allot of people in the apt. Even when my children were coming for Christmas she said they couldn't stay here.
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WELL stated! where I live in rural Missouri, I see SO many empty, abandoned houses! Even a few closed motels! I've always thought that these could be remade into homes for families! These farmers in this area aren't about to sell, because they'd have to survey to take that half acre off their acreage. BUT - would they rent for $50? Yes - some would, because I lived in one for 2 years during a realllly bad spot in my life. It had a roof, floors, kitchen, bedroom, living room, running water and electricity. It was allll good for me!
Now I agree with some of the other posters - if you GIVE it to "some" people, it will NOT be respected - but to MANY it most certainly WILL.
Now I agree with some of the other posters - if you GIVE it to "some" people, it will NOT be respected - but to MANY it most certainly WILL.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs: I was homeless for three summers; in between my university quarters.
Homeless people do not want to feel invisible. One can offer them: assistance, money, conversation, advice, directions, employment, etc.
Homeless people, as all of us on Rally Point know: are human beings- with the very same needs and desires as we.
May GOD eternally bless you and yours, Mikel.
-Good Evening, Sir-
Margaret
Homeless people do not want to feel invisible. One can offer them: assistance, money, conversation, advice, directions, employment, etc.
Homeless people, as all of us on Rally Point know: are human beings- with the very same needs and desires as we.
May GOD eternally bless you and yours, Mikel.
-Good Evening, Sir-
Margaret
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This organization here in Middle Tennessee is working on it, COL Mikel J. Burroughs.
http://osdtn.org
http://osdtn.org
Home - Operation Stand Down TN
Operation Stand Down Tennessee will be closed on Thursday, November 24th and Friday, November 25th. 86 cents of every $1.00 donated serves Veteransin our community. Since 1993, empowering Veterans to achieve their American Dream. 2015 Community Impact Operation Stand Down …
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I think the FIRST step is to stop the bleeding. If we can determine the cause of people becoming homeless, except for those who make bad choices, we can at the very least slow the numbers of new homeless to a trickle. I see three primary issues for no-fault homelessness. 1. Low paying jobs. Higher paying jobs have gone overseas, leaving qualified workers with nothing to do, except take on all the low paying jobs that are being created. 2. Technology is replacing human workers. Technology is a wonderful thing (when it works), but a consequence of automation is a loss of jobs for those who are being replaced by technology. 3. Inflated costs for housing. Housing prices are going up and down but even on the down swing, the costs exceed what can be afforded by minimum wage earners. Fix at least two of these issues, and we can begin to stop the bleeding.
There are many facets to homelessness. There is no one cookie cutter answer. Do we treat gainfully employed homeless the same as the disabled homeless or the homeless by choice?
I wish I knew the answer in its entirety. I really do.
There are many facets to homelessness. There is no one cookie cutter answer. Do we treat gainfully employed homeless the same as the disabled homeless or the homeless by choice?
I wish I knew the answer in its entirety. I really do.
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Good read Sir.A lot of what you've wrote are excellent ideas to help Citizens on the streets now,but to fix any problem you need to understand there is a problem.Sadly our leaders as a whole do not and if they do its not profitable to spend money on failure.To me you have to understand the way a capitalism system works.capitalism is an economic system based on private ownership of means of production and their operations for profit.Turbo capitalism-unregulated capitalism,will see greater problems associated with inequality,under provisions of public services and greater inequality.If you try a different approach on capitalism one that,what I like to call the trinity,Capitalism/Humanism/Socialism you can curb the problems we see now.The problem in implementing this is its not profitable to the powers that be.Therefore the homelessness numbers will continue to rise,crime will grow,the powerful will continue their retreat,building walls,excluding Citizens who are unworthy,unproductive,elderly services,mental services,single woman with kids,the list is long You get the picture.Sir respectfully you have great ideas but you must think higher.You talk of patching it,but to curb it,to stop it you must take on all out capitalism.This is what destroyed every Civilization before us.When Society is in harmony homelessness,crime and chaos are subdued,when a few are aloud to take everything "Chaos" reigns.If you really want to help the homeless and downtrodden,think Higher.Respectfully.
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There are different reasons for being without a home. What I'm about to say is directed to the hearing of all that do believe that there is a creator. The man was created to occupy the earth as a unit. He is one body with many members. We are all members of the human body. But the world that we live in is broken and no longer in line with the natural way in which things created to function. We want to eradicate the symptoms without fixing what's broken. What am I saying? We live our lives with the attitude that the things that life consists of is on the outside of who we are as a state of being. We seek self-gratification through the things that we possess. Profit has become something that is external and temporal. But the more we gain, the more we want. We no longer function as one body or unit but as single members independent of the body. We set out on our quest to evolve into something great. The things that we possess are what defines us. What I am saying is that it's no longer about the body but the individual. You see, as the rich continue to get richer, the poor will become poorer. Take a look at the ant; the ant does not have a leader, but he goes out each day working as a unit for the benefit of the body. As a people, we have become self-seekers. We seek our own and not the well-being of the body. Yes, all men are created equal, but we need to add to those words. 'and have all things in common.' It's when we have all things in common that my home is your home and when I plant for me I also plant for you. When we have all things in common, there will be no homeless nor poor. What do we need? It is not the help of some government that we need. Because that will only be like taking medicine. Most drugs cover up one problem and create other problems that are sometimes worse. But what do we need? We need to return to our creator for he's the only one that can fix the problem.
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I don't know the solution nor will I pretend to know. What I do know is that many people are at the cusp homelessness. Let's talk about single mothers. Many of them are one child support payment or one car accident away from homelessness. I know this because I have seen this.
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