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How about creating permanent housing options in lieu of sustaining continuing homelessness?
How about housing for the homeless?
by Patty Kent
Many good people have put forward continuing efforts to develop a new homeless shelter for Missoula. Certainly the task is daunting. But let's face it: The mere idea of anyone saying that they would like to provide nightly shelter and meals for 100 unrelated people, plus open the doors to an additional 200 people for lunch, every day, 24-seven-365 - it really doesn't matter who it is - the mere size and scale raises concerns. Perhaps instead of asking where we serve the homeless we might first ask how to best serve the homeless. And in doing so, might a location become apparent?
We actually do understand a lot about the needs of the homeless. A 2010 survey sponsored in part by the City of Missoula, combined with the annual statewide homeless count, illustrate a number of things. Most clearly, the surveys tell us that although the causes of homelessness and the faces of the homeless are diverse, one part of the solution is obvious and simple: safe, decent and affordable housing.
Interestingly, about half of the homeless surveyed have enough income to pay a modest monthly rent, but for the barriers to permanent housing: savings adequate for first and last month's rent plus a security deposit, credit checks, long term leases and of course, basic affordability. Unable to surmount even one of these issues, emergency shelters, the streets, cars, nightly motels and other precarious places become the housing of last resort.
The community as well as the homeless bear the burden of homelessness in many ways. Isn't it time to shift the paradigm? How about creating permanent housing options in lieu of sustaining continuing homelessness?
In this regard, Mayor John Engen and the Missoula County Commissioners have appointed a diverse group of Missoula movers and shakers who are working diligently to create a 10-year plan to end homelessness: "Reaching Home" will complete this task by year-end. Why not coordinate the development of a new emergency shelter with Reaching Home's work and simultaneously consider housing solutions for the homeless? Might this reduce the pressure and need for shelter beds? In other words, could we build a smaller shelter and instead increase options for actual housing?
The demand for housing the homeless is immediate. The only real question is how we choose to address and fund it. Ultimately, it comes down to all of us; community support, whether funds, food, clothing or volunteer time, is an integral if not imperative part of providing for the basic needs of the homeless. Given that key ingredient of community support, perhaps it's time to consider how we reduce the incidence of homelessness through the development of housing solutions that are sustainable both for the homeless and the community.
Safe, decent and affordable housing is the essential first step towards stability, health and self-determination. Let us not forget the end game.
Patty Kent is the director of Housing and Development for the Western Montana Mental Health Center, and has developed housing for persons with mental illness throughout western Montana for 18 years.
by Patty Kent
Many good people have put forward continuing efforts to develop a new homeless shelter for Missoula. Certainly the task is daunting. But let's face it: The mere idea of anyone saying that they would like to provide nightly shelter and meals for 100 unrelated people, plus open the doors to an additional 200 people for lunch, every day, 24-seven-365 - it really doesn't matter who it is - the mere size and scale raises concerns. Perhaps instead of asking where we serve the homeless we might first ask how to best serve the homeless. And in doing so, might a location become apparent?
We actually do understand a lot about the needs of the homeless. A 2010 survey sponsored in part by the City of Missoula, combined with the annual statewide homeless count, illustrate a number of things. Most clearly, the surveys tell us that although the causes of homelessness and the faces of the homeless are diverse, one part of the solution is obvious and simple: safe, decent and affordable housing.
Interestingly, about half of the homeless surveyed have enough income to pay a modest monthly rent, but for the barriers to permanent housing: savings adequate for first and last month's rent plus a security deposit, credit checks, long term leases and of course, basic affordability. Unable to surmount even one of these issues, emergency shelters, the streets, cars, nightly motels and other precarious places become the housing of last resort.
The community as well as the homeless bear the burden of homelessness in many ways. Isn't it time to shift the paradigm? How about creating permanent housing options in lieu of sustaining continuing homelessness?
In this regard, Mayor John Engen and the Missoula County Commissioners have appointed a diverse group of Missoula movers and shakers who are working diligently to create a 10-year plan to end homelessness: "Reaching Home" will complete this task by year-end. Why not coordinate the development of a new emergency shelter with Reaching Home's work and simultaneously consider housing solutions for the homeless? Might this reduce the pressure and need for shelter beds? In other words, could we build a smaller shelter and instead increase options for actual housing?
The demand for housing the homeless is immediate. The only real question is how we choose to address and fund it. Ultimately, it comes down to all of us; community support, whether funds, food, clothing or volunteer time, is an integral if not imperative part of providing for the basic needs of the homeless. Given that key ingredient of community support, perhaps it's time to consider how we reduce the incidence of homelessness through the development of housing solutions that are sustainable both for the homeless and the community.
Safe, decent and affordable housing is the essential first step towards stability, health and self-determination. Let us not forget the end game.
Patty Kent is the director of Housing and Development for the Western Montana Mental Health Center, and has developed housing for persons with mental illness throughout western Montana for 18 years.
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