“Homelessness is a challenge, but a challenge that can be solved.”
Last week Philadelphia Michael Nutter gave his farewell
speech as President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and chose to highlight
homelessness as one of the themes. Here’s part of what he said:
“Another tragedy that confronts all
of us…but one that has new hope of being solved is homelessness…the best way to
keep families from experiencing repeated bouts of homelessness is to provide
permanent housing as quickly as possible through short-term rental assistance.
In other words, don’t keep them in homeless shelters any longer than absolutely
necessary…I’ve said that I want Philadelphia to be the first large U.S. city to
end homelessness, but I welcome competition from all of you. Homelessness is a
challenge, but it’s a challenge that can be solved.”
We couldn’t agree more! As proud New Yorkers, and caring
people, we want to take up the challenge!
That’s why Care for the Homeless has adopted our “Agenda to
End Homelessness” – because it doesn’t have to be like this. As Philadelphia
reports a homelessness reduction, and following a national reduction the U.S.
homeless population appear to be stable, New York City’s homeless population
has exploded, especially among families with children.
The CFH Agenda to End Homelessness speaks to what should be
done to produce far better outcomes at no greater cost. Things like providing
appropriate health care, including primary and preventative care, to all people
experiencing homelessness, creating mare affordable housing for very-low income
New Yorkers, supportive housing for those who need it and a rental subsidy to
move people from shelter to permanent housing.
