This article in the LA Times discusses Santa Monica’s efforts, spearheaded by City Councilman Bobby Shriver, to rethink their strategies for serving the homeless. Santa Monica has moved toward a “housing first” model which is showing success in other areas of the country, like New York. [Example: Pathways to Housing, a nationally-recognized model, here.] This is an excellent article, and it touches on issues such as: the link between mental illness and homelessness; chronic homelessness; and the cost of homelessness to a community.
Greensboro and Guilford County have just begun a process called “The Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness,” during which we, also, will look at issues surrounding homelessness and make decisions about how best to serve the needs of those in our community who are experiencing homelessness. Watch for news in local media about a TYP Task Force, which will be announced by Greensboro and High Point mayors and the County Commisioner chair, most likely in January. Also, watch the web site of Homeless Prevention Coalition of Guilford County (http://www.hpcgc.org/) for more details. You can visit this page of HPCGC’s site now for TYP links.
