Sunday, November 05, 2006
Housing Tacoma's homeless?
First, thanks to everyone who filled out the survey, below. We have about 65 responses so far, which means people have put in about 22 hours or so of reflection on budget issues. Very cool, and thanks. I plan to leave the survey open about a week and then report on the results.
OK, so I want to ask you about housing the homeless. First piece of info, from the Friday city manager's report:
Housing First Program: The City of Tacoma and the Metropolitan Development Council (MDC) are attempting to house the homeless and reduce encampments in a program called Housing First. Six housing providers in Lakewood have recently agreed to accept these tenants in their units. The residents submit to a background check and agree to abstain from criminal activity in exchange for housing assistance. Since this program began there has been a six fold decrease in needed services (i.e. visits to hospital emergency rooms and mental health triage centers, etc). The cost of providing housing is minor compared to the cost of jail or hospital space. We are also connecting with MDC and each of the complexes that will be housing homeless to create police/community housing partnerships.
And then this morning, I see a news story about how Tacoma's homeless are being housed in Lakewood. What do you think of this?
My first reaction is that Lakewood already gives a lot - by its proximity to McNeil prison, by the presence of Western State and a high percentage of group homes and other related services, and by the presence of many social services agencies. And then we're not yet sure if the state will force an open-door prison ono the mental hospital grounds. Should we be housing Tacoma's homeless? Or is this just natural when you're an adjacent community? Obviously it could be of benefit to apartment owners. Judging only from the story, many of the tenants certainly seem to be doing quite well.
Shoot me a note and let me know if I am overreacting ... or ... hey, speaking of the prison ... if Tacoma is sending us its homeless, does that mean Tacoma will hang on to Progress House? Now, there's an idea ...
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OK, so I want to ask you about housing the homeless. First piece of info, from the Friday city manager's report:
Housing First Program: The City of Tacoma and the Metropolitan Development Council (MDC) are attempting to house the homeless and reduce encampments in a program called Housing First. Six housing providers in Lakewood have recently agreed to accept these tenants in their units. The residents submit to a background check and agree to abstain from criminal activity in exchange for housing assistance. Since this program began there has been a six fold decrease in needed services (i.e. visits to hospital emergency rooms and mental health triage centers, etc). The cost of providing housing is minor compared to the cost of jail or hospital space. We are also connecting with MDC and each of the complexes that will be housing homeless to create police/community housing partnerships.
And then this morning, I see a news story about how Tacoma's homeless are being housed in Lakewood. What do you think of this?
My first reaction is that Lakewood already gives a lot - by its proximity to McNeil prison, by the presence of Western State and a high percentage of group homes and other related services, and by the presence of many social services agencies. And then we're not yet sure if the state will force an open-door prison ono the mental hospital grounds. Should we be housing Tacoma's homeless? Or is this just natural when you're an adjacent community? Obviously it could be of benefit to apartment owners. Judging only from the story, many of the tenants certainly seem to be doing quite well.
Shoot me a note and let me know if I am overreacting ... or ... hey, speaking of the prison ... if Tacoma is sending us its homeless, does that mean Tacoma will hang on to Progress House? Now, there's an idea ...
