The following is provided to start a broader conversation on finding and implementing a permanent solution to homelessness.
Assumptions
1. The problem of homelessness is a societal/government problem as to the cause, prevention and cure. (Society elects a government to address societies problems.)
2. The plan should be all-encompassing to eradicate homelessness, not a band aid!
3. This problem is not a federal problem – it is a local city/town, county, and state problem.
4. The problem is common to all 50 states, and as such, the plan is to be implemented simultaneously to avoid migration to other states to gain benefits other states do not provide
Framework
1. Zero based budget born by each state for its participation
2. Address all sections of the solution
a. Legislative action - Ensure laws are on the books in each state that makes homeless encampments and vagrancy a crime on private property, business property, government buildings and amenities, in public spaces and in view of any business or private residence. This gives law enforcement the right to deal with the problem in the interests if the public health & safety, commerce, and property values.
b. No new government offices facilities or direct hires to support this project
c. No permanent housing facilities
d. Use existing programs, personnel, and facilities to resolve this problem
e. Plan and action must not only solve the existing situation but prevent its reoccurrence (aka resolve the root cause)
f. All 50 states participate in the implementation of the program to resolve situation
3. All 50 states to participate simultaneously on the same schedule
4. A senior program manager and project team will be hired (private)to run the program with full program and project management authority not under any state government.
Plan
1. States’ approval
a. One plan
b. Integrated schedules
c. Metrics
d. Funding when needed
2. Infrastructure
a. Facilities – temp housing
b. Food & Water
c. Transportation
d. Warehousing
3. Teams
a. Program & Project Management
b. State committed resources (teams)
c. Boots on the ground team
i. Law Enforcement
ii. Medical
iii. Psychiatry
iv. Support
d. Existing Programs for hand off
i. Criminal Justice
ii. Drug Rehab
iii. Child Protective Services
iv. Education & vocational training
v. Immigration
vi. Etc.
4. Schedule
a. Master Schedule – National level
i. State
ii. County
iii. Metropolitan
5. Commitment and Support
a. State level
b. County level
c. Metropolitan level
6. Program & Project Management team
a. Full authority and support
b. Provide meaningful metrics
c. Program report-outs to measure success and ask for assistance – national level
i. Quarterly – first year nationally and every quarter at state, county and metropolitan levels
ii. Semi-annually – second year
iii. Annually – 3rd year onwards