The number of homeless individuals living on the streets is a blight on society and it is a direct result of failed policy. We have a moral duty to address this issue directly and find long lasting solutions that restore human dignity to the individuals and families who are homeless.
There are about 162,000 homeless in CA. (source: Mercy Housing) In this year’s budget, $4.8 billion will be spent over the next 2 years. That means we are spending about $30,000 per person to address the issue. For $30,000 a person, we should be able to find better answers than tents lining garbage filled streets.
There are multiple causes of homelessness. Drug addiction, alcohol addiction and mental illness are often found in the homeless population. We have failed to effectively address, treat, and destigmatize mental illness. We need to approach mental illness as a treatable condition like cancer, heart disease, or diabetes.
Consider cancer. When I was young, (say 50 years ago), people only whispered about cancer. It was not talked about and often people were stigmatized if they had cancer. In the last 25 years, cancer has become an opponent to be beaten down and utterly defeated by “survivors” who are proud of their victory and are honored for their courageous battle. Those that lose the “fight” are no less honored. If you wonder what this looks like, attend an American Cancer Society Relay for Life.
Today we must engage in a fight against mental illness. We should use every available weapon (medicine, counseling, social support) and celebrate those who have overcome what is just another disease.
There are effective programs that can help people find housing. An example can be found in Citrus Heights. “The Navigator is a program of the City Citrus Heights, the Citrus Heights Police Department and Sacramento Self Help Housing. Citrus Heights HART supports the Navigator with funding and resources. The Navigators job is to locate each individual member of our community that is currently experiencing homelessness. Once contact is made an initial intake is completed to assess the client and see which services the client needs and how she can assist them in getting off the street”. Navigator - Citrus Heights HART .
It is time to re-evaluate the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act and change the legislation to create effective treatment programs and provide dignified housing in a state or privately operated treatment facility. Proper funding and oversite should be provided to ensure rights are protected while also getting the most vulnerable the help they need. Individuals who suffer from mental illness and/or drug addiction should be made wards of the state until such time as they can make sound decisions for how to participate safely within society.
To make such a change would require a robust system with law enforcement, social workers, doctors, and judges working together to rescue individuals from a dangerous situation. Safe and secure facilities with adequate resources for counseling and treatment would need to be created and maintained. A court system dedicated to evaluation of individuals would determine when and if a person is able to care for themselves and leave protective custody.
The current standard is “Not an imminent danger to themselves or others.” It should be replaced with the more stringent standard of “Not an imminent danger to themselves or others, not addicted to drugs or alcohol, and able to make reasoned decisions consistent with being self-sufficient.”. The higher standard would ensure that people would have a better chance of success after being released from protective custody.
Cal-Matters reports that there are 44 agencies in California dealing with homelessness. It seems likely that there is a significant overlap in responsibilities and authority for these agencies as the issue is not being effectively adequately addressed. Since this is a statewide problem there should a single Department of Homeless Affairs with a Cabinet level appointment reporting to the Governor. There should be significant legislative oversight of the new Department of Homeless Affairs to ensure that the programs are effectively run, and that the money is not wasted.
There are about 162,000 homeless in CA. (source: Mercy Housing) In this year’s budget, $4.8 billion will be spent over the next 2 years. That means we are spending about $30,000 per person to address the issue. For $30,000 a person, we should be able to find better answers than tents lining garbage filled streets.
There are multiple causes of homelessness. Drug addiction, alcohol addiction and mental illness are often found in the homeless population. We have failed to effectively address, treat, and destigmatize mental illness. We need to approach mental illness as a treatable condition like cancer, heart disease, or diabetes.
Consider cancer. When I was young, (say 50 years ago), people only whispered about cancer. It was not talked about and often people were stigmatized if they had cancer. In the last 25 years, cancer has become an opponent to be beaten down and utterly defeated by “survivors” who are proud of their victory and are honored for their courageous battle. Those that lose the “fight” are no less honored. If you wonder what this looks like, attend an American Cancer Society Relay for Life.
Today we must engage in a fight against mental illness. We should use every available weapon (medicine, counseling, social support) and celebrate those who have overcome what is just another disease.
There are effective programs that can help people find housing. An example can be found in Citrus Heights. “The Navigator is a program of the City Citrus Heights, the Citrus Heights Police Department and Sacramento Self Help Housing. Citrus Heights HART supports the Navigator with funding and resources. The Navigators job is to locate each individual member of our community that is currently experiencing homelessness. Once contact is made an initial intake is completed to assess the client and see which services the client needs and how she can assist them in getting off the street”. Navigator - Citrus Heights HART .
It is time to re-evaluate the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act and change the legislation to create effective treatment programs and provide dignified housing in a state or privately operated treatment facility. Proper funding and oversite should be provided to ensure rights are protected while also getting the most vulnerable the help they need. Individuals who suffer from mental illness and/or drug addiction should be made wards of the state until such time as they can make sound decisions for how to participate safely within society.
To make such a change would require a robust system with law enforcement, social workers, doctors, and judges working together to rescue individuals from a dangerous situation. Safe and secure facilities with adequate resources for counseling and treatment would need to be created and maintained. A court system dedicated to evaluation of individuals would determine when and if a person is able to care for themselves and leave protective custody.
The current standard is “Not an imminent danger to themselves or others.” It should be replaced with the more stringent standard of “Not an imminent danger to themselves or others, not addicted to drugs or alcohol, and able to make reasoned decisions consistent with being self-sufficient.”. The higher standard would ensure that people would have a better chance of success after being released from protective custody.
Cal-Matters reports that there are 44 agencies in California dealing with homelessness. It seems likely that there is a significant overlap in responsibilities and authority for these agencies as the issue is not being effectively adequately addressed. Since this is a statewide problem there should a single Department of Homeless Affairs with a Cabinet level appointment reporting to the Governor. There should be significant legislative oversight of the new Department of Homeless Affairs to ensure that the programs are effectively run, and that the money is not wasted.
