One of my personal passions involves championing evidence-based approaches and programs tackling the challenge of the unhoused and homeless as we create smarter cities. Especially important in the challenge for the unhoused is the increasing number of United States veterans and at-risk youth that are homeless and require social and mental support services.
Here in the United States of America, we have a homelessness challenge that increases each day because of the global pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus.
Homelessness is unacceptable in the #7 most prosperous country in the world.
There is a huge stigma about being homeless; society usually blames the individual. Nonetheless, community and government have the inherent mandate to support and transition individuals or families from a state of homelessness to "I/We have a place to live."
It is both human decency and societal responsibility for government and civil society institutions.
The Numbers
The average life expectancy of a homeless person is just 50 years.
39.8% of homeless persons are African-Americans.
61% of homeless persons are men and boys.
20% of homeless persons are kids.
42% of street children identify as LGBT. Source: Link
Source: Link
For starters, let’s define the term itself. Homeless veterans are people who have served in the armed forces and are currently without proper accommodation. Contrary to public perception, this type of homelessness isn’t exclusive to the US alone and isn’t a new phenomenon either. As a matter of fact, it can be traced back to the Reconstruction Era (e.g., mid-to-late XIX century), where, according to homeless veterans statistics, this social group made up the general homeless population at the time.
Source: PolicyAdvice.net
Almost 40,000 veterans are without shelter in the US on any given night.
The leading causes of homelessness among vets are PTSD, social isolation, unemployment, and substance abuse.
Veterans account for 11% of homeless adults in the US.
California has the highest number of vets living on the streets.
Source: PolicyAdvice.net
Different Scenarios of Homelessness
I will share the following scenarios of my limited observation of the homeless, based on the categories defined below by a UN report titled The State of Homelessness in Developing Countries.
The following are times where I can accurately describe what I saw.
Here's how the report defines the different variations of homelessness:
1. Rough sleeping: Lying down on the street, under a bridge, or in a public place to sleep at night; temporary, seasonal short o,r long term.
2. Pavement dwelling: A regular 'pitch' is used over a more extended period of time, and some very rudimentary shelter of the card, cloth, or plastic is erected, short to medium term.
3. Squatting: Staying in the same derelict building on a regular basis; short to medium term.
4. Living in abjectly poor, often dangerous, dwellings: For example, staying in boats or other floating platforms without security or services fails all tests of adequacy, long term or permanent.
5. Refugee camps: Living without the foreseeable possibility of returning home; long term or permanent.
The above scenarios are just some of the many plans for the unhoused in the United States and the world.
Possible Solutions and Approaches to Solving Homelessness
Evidence-based solutions and pilots are leading agile approaches to solve the homeless crisis. Whatever the selected solutions or strategies are taken, sub-groups within the homeless population require more support and help than others. These sub-groups vary by region and nation-state.
In America, I would argue that in the approach to tackling homelessness, our veterans and the teenagers in the LGBTQ are part of the crucial sub-groups requiring government and civil society support.
An individual should not put their life on the line in fighting to preserve our American values and come home to a lack of social services, mental, and housing support to begin the reintegration process for civilian life.
Also, teenagers should not have to be rejected by families and left on the streets to survive because of their parents' or families' personal or religious beliefs without support from the state.
Source: link
One challenge that cities worldwide have across political or socio-economic strata is NIMBY.
NIMBY, an acronym for "Not In My Backyard," describes the phenomenon in which residents of a neighborhood designate a new development (e.g., shelter, affordable housing, group home) or change in occupancy of an existing development as inappropriate or unwanted for their local area.
Source: link
Not all neighborhoods are taking the NIMBY approach. An innovative approach to creating an ecosystem to solving the challenge of the unhoused is ensuring that the underserved and at-risk members of a neighborhood are included in the economic revitalization and gentrification happening in the United States and around the world.
Some examples of successful transformative approaches include the following:
Maboneng, South Africa
The Maboneng Precinct is a connected urban neighborhood in downtown Johannesburg.
Maboneng is fast becoming Joburg’s most unique and innovative area, offering live / work and entertainment opportunities within a fully integrated urban environment.
Maboneng, meaning “Place of Light”, is a privately developed urban neighborhood on the east side of Johannesburg CBD. A fully-fledged thriving community, Maboneng is home to numerous independent retail, restaurants, and entertainment venues as well as designful apartments, offices, hotels, a museum, and creative factory spaces in a connected urban environment. Organically, Maboneng has grown to become an entrepreneurial hub due to creatives seeing the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded people.
Source: link
Brooklyn, New York
Urbane builds the infrastructure that catalyzes community wealth.
Our approach centers on strengthening community anchors through a multi-disciplinary approach:
Research and Analytics, Business and Development Advisory Services, and Place-Based Investing aimed at generating long-term prosperity and wealth creation in historically disinvested communities.
Source: link
My Idea on Solving Homelessness
I spent some time speaking with the homeless in my area. One suggestion that resonated with me was having a 311 for the unhoused population. A veteran also suggested a similar solution for social services and support.
Why can't I dial a hotline, and someone comes to pick me up and take me to transition housing to reintegrate me into society?
What are current programs and initiatives actively participating in solving the homelessness challenge and reversing the negative stigmas associated with being unhoused?
I would love to know more and look forward to hearing from the community.
©2022 by Busayo Odunlami
Commentaires