IT'S A CRISIS: As we approach 2023, it's time to reexamine+scrutinize America's homelessness policy. What's working? What's not? @DiscoveryInst1 out w/ NEW report showing "HOUSING FIRST" is a failure. But there is hope+other solutions. @WhiteHouse @POTUS @HUDgov #WashingtonDC
HOUSING FIRST IS FAILING: In 2013, Congress passed a law requiring federally funded assistance programs to apply "Housing First" formula. Advocates said it would end homelessness by 2023—in other words, by next year. So why is crisis getting worse? READ👇🏽
fixhomelessness.org/2022/housing-f…
fixhomelessness.org/2022/housing-f…
OTHER STATES EMBRACING HOUSING FIRST: In Seattle/King County… gun crimes tied to homeless encampments jumped 122% during first half of 2022. In Portland, Oregon, 50% of all arrests between 2017 and 2020 involved homeless, even though their share of population was less than 2%. 
HOMELESS INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX: Dr. Robert Marbut Jr. says "housing first lobby" is real. He's experienced it first hand. While housing must be part of solution, there are multiple groups in this space that stand to PROFIT financially if model remains.
DC DRIVE: The moment Dr. Robert Marbut Jr. and I landed in the nation's capital, our UBER driver knew EXACTLY where the homeless encampments were set up. What does the rest of the WORLD think about America's slums? City is apparently still SWEEPING. #WashingtonDC #AMERICA #Crisis
WALK IN THE PARK: It's unclear when @MayorBowser will clear this massive homeless encampment just blocks away from the @WhiteHouse. But new tents are being set up daily. There's also an eco-system of free food and services. #WashingtonDC #America #Crisis
INCREDIBLE EFFORT: During my time in #WashingtonDC, I got to meet some campers like Daniel Kingery. He's lived in McPherson Sq. for more than 2 years. He's known as the elder statesmen and does his part to beautify the area. Wish I had more time to go in-depth on his story.
HOT TAKE: "Housing costs are a problem in some big coastal cities and a few others. Local governments should reduce burdensome regulations+building fees to encourage affordable housing construction. But addiction and mental illness are larger problems."
fixhomelessness.org/2022/limits-of…
fixhomelessness.org/2022/limits-of…
UNCLE SAM ENABLING HOMELESSNESS: "A not small percentage of homeless adults first experienced homelessness as children. The figure is 20% for homeless adults in Los Angeles, 18% for Seattle and Santa Cruz and 15% in San Francisco."
fixhomelessness.org/2022/uncle-sam…
fixhomelessness.org/2022/uncle-sam…
WHERE IT’S FAILING:
“Though lack of housing is
a major factor, it
is erroneous to view homelessness as primarily— let alone solely—a housing problem that can be solved through a “Housing First” approach that ignores untreated mental illness and drug addiction.”
“Though lack of housing is
a major factor, it
is erroneous to view homelessness as primarily— let alone solely—a housing problem that can be solved through a “Housing First” approach that ignores untreated mental illness and drug addiction.”
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