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Finding Solutions to Chronic Homelessness:by Tom Burnham, Program Director for Shelter Services
Treating "chronic homelessness" with mainstream services is akin to trying to change a tire with a hammer. On one hand, it is the wrong tool. On the other hand, if your only tool is a hammer, all your problems begin to look like nails. The problems that cause chronic homelessness aren't solved with emergency shelters and transitional programs. They are solved with permanent housing and supportive services. Mainstream resources would be much more effective if this "chronic" population could be moved out of those programs and services and into something more suited to their ongoing issues and needs.
HUD has recognized as a national best practice the concept of "safe haven." Safe haven is permanent housing. An individual would be able to stay as long as they need to. (In HUD's terminology an "emergency" shelter stay is not more then 90 days while a "transitional" program is not more then 2 years.) Part of the safe haven concept is an Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team, which includes a licensed clinical social worker, a substance abuse counselor, an occupational therapist and a nurse. The crucial piece is to be there in the moment when that person is open to receiving the help to enable them to make better, more responsible choices. Studies have shown that creating safe havens reduces the social costs by between thirty and fifty per cent. They reduce emergency room utilization, interactions with the criminal justice system and the clogging of other programs that would be better used by those able to take advantage of their offerings. Residents of safe havens are not subject to the extremes of weather. They are less vulnerable to the more predatory elements of society. Over time their health improves. They receive better and more consistent nutrition and health care. The increased stability allows them to see another possibility of living. Within a year, many safe haven residents drink much less and some stop altogether. Over the last quarter century, Peter & Paul Community Services has witnessed many triumphs and tragedies, maybe even a miracle or two. We have seen many people move back into careers and ordinary lives. We have also witnessed those incapable of making good use of mainstream resources. It has sometimes felt like pushing round pegs into square holes. You work with the tools in your box. There are people still on the streets who were there twenty years ago. The temporary services of emergency shelters and transitional programs have not been the answer to their needs. Permanent housing and supportive services will be.
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Director's Cut by Executive DirectorSteve CampbellI didn’t want to write this column. The topic is not pleasant. I tried to avoid it, but the headlines kept coming… “Florida men guilty in homeless beating death”… and closer to home in Granite City, “Two teens admit killing homeless man”… and again just last week, “Homeless man dies after being set ablaze in LA.” ______________________________ |
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© 2004 Peter & Paul Community Services,
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