City of OKC to tackle homelessness problem

[metro]

Oklahoma City fighting homelessness
WENDY K. KLEINMAN
October 15, 2008

A plan to beat the streets: EFFORTS can HELP make homelessness history in city, Official says History serves as a guide that political muscle is needed,

Homelessness will be a problem of the past in Oklahoma City and the state if 10-year plans released Tuesday take root, officials said.
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The topic of better serving the homeless is discussed.


The goal is attainable with the right strategies in place — particularly providing permanent housing with support services, said Philip Mangano, executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, who spoke at a statewide conference on the topic.

"We’re already seeing results in communities in reducing those numbers,” Mangano said. "So yes, of course I believe that we can abolish homelessness.

"It doesn’t mean people won’t fall into homelessness. It means that we’ll be on the front lines in a different way, moving those people immediately off our streets, out of shelters and into housing.”

About 150 people are attending the 2008 Oklahoma Statewide Conference on Homelessness, which ends today at the Metro Technology Center in Oklahoma City, said Jane Ferrell, chairwoman of the Governor’s Interagency Council on Homelessness.

"What we’re hoping to gain and accomplish here is to come away with some new ideas on how to better treat and how to better serve the persons who are homeless, and certainly find them homes,” Ferrell said.


Why it could work
Mangano calls on historical examples to prove his point to those who are skeptical that any plan can end homelessness.
In the past, people thought slavery, the lack of voting rights for women and minorities and segregation were too ingrained in the social landscape to ever change.

But they all did.

And the 10-year plans from the state and city have their own short history of successes that have been seen in places using similar approaches.

The reason the recent crop of plans works is that there is political muscle behind them to ensure they don’t get shelved, Mangano said.

"If good intentions, well-meaning programs and humanitarian gestures, if they could end homelessness, it would have been history decades ago,” he said.

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[jbrown84]

Is the article cut off?

What's this plan they speak of?

[Luke]

Is the article cut off?

What's this plan they speak of?

lol

I was thinking the same thing.

[hipsterdoofus]

Something they apparently don't realize is that some of the homeless don't want some of the help that is already out there...if people don't accept the help, then it won't change...

[Midtowner]

Well.. there's always the Patience Latting approach

[metro]

Is the article cut off?

What's this plan they speak of?

No I posted the full article that was online.

[angel27]

I'm thinking their plan includes focus on programs such as "rapid rehousing," wherein they are able to place homeless persons in permanent housing within about 7 days of their arrival at a shelter. Typical services that would be extended to them in a shelter setting are available in a "wrap-around" fashion for as long as a year after being placed in permanent housing. This service includes paying their rent, depending on their need, for 6 months and sometimes longer. This type of program involves collaboration between agencies so that many client needs can be met. New to our area, this has worked in other cities for a few years.

[TaoMaas]

I'd really like to see their plan because it seems to me that homeless folks come in several varieties. I see people out there because of addictions, emotional problems, and just plain bad luck. That last category should be a relatively easy fix because sometimes people just need a little help with utility deposits and such to get off the streets and into housing of some sort, which they can then afford to pay for on their own. It's the other two categories that will cause the problems.

[mOKCie]

There is no specific plan mentioned, which is what I expected before I read the article. Either we as taxpayers are going to pay for their homes or we are not. There is no magical formula or higher form of thinking. That's all there is. Socialism in any other name is still socialism. The 6-12 month illusion is a good selling point, but why would anybody pay for a house if they can get it for free? Their temporary situation would become permanent. Who are we then to kick them out of "their" homes. This has never worked anywhere for any period of time.