Thread by @Geoffrey_Wardle

lot of discussion about how to address the challenges facing urban centers and commercial real estate. #BOMA #Homelessness #Housing #CRE

I have also done a couple of interviews for news and podcasts back in Boise about my work for @sanctuaryBoise #BOMA #Homelessness

In the @BOMAIntl Legislative Sub-Committee we spent time discussing energy efficiency, carbon reduction, and energy efficiency. #BOMA #Homelessness

And then the conversation turned to homelessness and the fact that many cities are seeing no return on their social service expenditures. #BOMA #Homelessness

And it immediately pivoted to complaints that enforcement efforts by police and prosecutors are inadequate because of recent court decisions like Martin v. Boise were preventing their cities on the West Coast to clean out homeless camps. #BOMA #Homelessness

At that point I was recognized by the chair. I have previously been the chair of @BOMAIntl Government Affairs committee. #homelessness #BOMA

I apologized that we had not done more on the issue of homelessness at the national level, although I had worked to educate and address the issue locally. #BOMA #Homelessness

I noted the irony that a smaller more conservative city was responsible for the Ninth Circuit’s decision prohibiting their jurisdictions from banning camping, but noted that Boise’s Camping Ban was poorly thought out and unnecessary under the circumstances. #BOMA #Homelessness

I noted that housing and homelessness should be issues that commercial properties are concerned with because many jurisdictions are raising taxes on commercial properties to fund services to address those issues. #BOMA #Homelessness

In reality, showing decency, respect, and engagement with the homeless is something that I encourage everyone to do. If you show respect and humanity, more likely than not, it will be reciprocated. #BOMA #homelessness

Many of those that are without housing stay in areas that they are comfortable with. If you show them respect, they will respect you. #BOMA #Homelessness

If as an industry we are concerned about workforce development, talent retention, and a lack of trades, then housing and homelessness were a commercial real estate issue. #BOMA #Homelessness

If people cannot afford to live close to where they work, then we are externalizing the costs of their employment on the public anyway. More importantly, we are putting their wellbeing at risk as their ability to get to work becomes much more tenuous. #BOMA #Homelessness

Many homeless work, they do have money, they do have a support system, they don’t have housing. And in such a precarious situation, they live a tenuous existence, which can immediately become worse with any further disruption or with any traumatic event. #BOMA #Homelessness

So then what do you do? Well many would have us do nothing, because that rewards their bad decisions. Many would criminalize not having housing. #BOMA #Homelessness

Many would promote violence against those without housing because that will make them get help. Those people and those actions are wrong and inhumane. #BOMA #Homelessness

However, that ignores the fact that the Homeless are in fact just like any one of us.
Some homeless do have mental health issues, but so do some people with housing, who live in Boise. #homelessness

Some homeless do have substance abuse issues, but so do some people with housing, who live in Kuna. #homelessness

Some homeless do make poor decisions with their money, but so do many people with housing in Meridian. #homelessness

Some homeless do have criminal records, but so do some people with housing who live in Eagle. #homelessness

The unfortunate thing is that too many people believe that if you increase the penalties for being unhousedyou will solve the problem. That is not just wrong, it is cruel and inhumane. #homelessness

However doing nothing is not a solution either. Doing nothing exacerbates the very problem. It does not actually respect personal autonomy or freedom. #BOMA #Homelessness

The hard right wants to treat homelessness as a crime. The hard left, however, just wants to treat the symptoms and not the actual cause of homelessness. #BOMA #homelessness

There has to be a solution that gives people autonomy and freedom and provides the degree of services necessary to allow individuals to overcome their existing challenges #BOMA #Homelessness

Addressing homelessness requires a commitment to direct unconditional provision of social services #BOMA #Homelessness

Addressing homelessness requires recognition that there must be a variety of shelter solutions. #BOMA #Homelessness

Low barrier shelters are necessary, transitional housing is necessary, subsidized apartments are necessary, affordable apartments are necessary, starter homes are necessary. #BOMA #Homelessness

Addressing homelessness requires a commitment to housing affordability and more housing and housing that may not be of a type that doesn’t exist in your neighborhood. #BOMA #Homelessness

I am passionate about housing because I know the impact that marginal or no shelter has on individuals and families. #homelessness

I am passionate about housing and homelessness because who else will do it? There is no natural constituency for shelter or housing that doesn’t exist today. #BOMA #Homelessness

I am passionate about housing and homelessness because we cannot value our urban centers if we don’t value those that live there from the poorest to the most wealthy. #BOMA #Homelessness

If you want to address ending homelessness you need to support housing, different types of housing, housing in every neighborhood, housing of every type, housing for everyone. #BOMA #Homelessness

And if you claim that you support resolving homelessness, then your policy position cannot legitimately be NO. That is not a solution. #homelessness

And if you oppose the Interfaith Sanctuary application, that is fine, I understand your fear. I do not believe it to be rational, but I understand and accept it is real. But, YOU DON’T COME AT MY WIFE ON SOCIAL MEDIA FOR SHARING WHAT I AM WORKING ON. SHE WILL SHOW YOU NO MERCY