A Big Step Towards Solving Homelessness
I think the biggest and most important first step that we can take to solve homelessness in America is to provide longer-term, private housing for those in need. A couple days ago I found an article about how Finland has reduced their homeless population by 35% since implementing their “Housing First” policies in 2008. Housing First provides unconditional, private apartments and facilities. They realized that short-term or night shelters do not provide a stable ground for people experiencing homelessness to jump off of. The program leader, Juha Kaakinen, said this about their approach: “We decided to make housing unconditional…to say, look, you don’t need to solve your problems before you get a home. Instead, a home should be the secure foundation that makes it easier to solve your problems.” I think we saw an example of this in the documentary “Sheltered,” when Elizabeth moves into her own temporary apartment. ...