Homeless Solution

Homelessness is a reality. Turning your head to look away or just totally ignoring the problem does not make it disappear. My solution provides a clear process and procedure eliminating all homelessness in cities, counties, and states in this country and others who are experiencing this overwhelming blight of apathy.

One of the first things we can do is to establish an immediate intervention for every person found on the street who may not even be a citizen of that area. If a traveler, the person may be allowed to move along. However, if found on the street or in an area for a day or two without a clear destination or purpose or ability to provide selfcare, then that person is detained and taken to an intervention facility like a hospital or health department substation for homeless integration processing. Police determine the person’s status as they document their encounter or multiple observations of the person’s loitering. Using a non-discriminatory process, they take the person into custody taking them to be evaluated for qualification into the homeless intervention program.

This homeless intervention program has several levels. The first level is mental health evaluation. The second is physical health evaluation. The third is finding their level of education, level of experience and resume`, knowledge basis, skills, abilities, and preferences assessment, which can be done by verbal or written questionnaire. After determining these levels, if possible, the program is explained to the homeless individual who may then decide on placement processing.

The solution part of this homeless intervention program involves completing initial information that may then be matched to any company nationwide in a database who are willing to sponsor the homeless person. There are many companies, such as like in Maine, U.S.A., who are clamoring for people to move there because of the lack of workers for industry. The city or state may pitch into the program to begin the program with evaluations with the intention of placing that person or family as a possible match for work or training program in another city or state. If the homeless person having gone through the initial program agrees, the company match is notified of the sponsorship and that person or family is moved, by bus or plane, to their new home. 

The sponsor company, for their part, agrees to provide a job, housing, training, food, clothing, and transportation to and from the new job. The Department of Human Services does their part in mandating, when appropriate, the homeless person go through treatment for drug, alcohol, gambling, or sex addictions where group therapy is a part of their daily life, like AA (Alcoholics Anonymous). DHS monitors each participant and provides mediation between the former homeless and their sponsor. Also, sponsors may use HUD or similar housing for their sponsored worker.

What this solution does is to eliminate homelessness. People who are down and out or down on their luck or mentally disabled, former felons, drug addicts, prostitutes, etc. are no longer allowed to camp out on city streets, in parks, public areas, or countryside. The police are working at the ground level and know and understand why, how, where, and what homelessness looks like. The initial observation and contact with a homeless person are immediately documented into the system in case the person shows up in another city, county, or state so that we can finally “track” homeless populations. This is the only way to provide humanitarian services that protect not only the homeless person, but also provides general society comfort and safety from mentally disturbed individuals who may commit crimes simply to be put in jail as a desperate attempt to provide themselves with shelter and food.

It is true that some homeless will deny assistance and may decide to move on, but as people in the country have the homeless intervention program explained in a very easily understood and compassionate way, it will become much easier for homeless to accept help and a pathway to dignity and safety. As a matter of safety, people who are caught loitering or just hanging around an area or trolling and stalking a person or just generally casing an establishment or house will now be detained, questioned, and prevented from accosting, terrorizing, stalking, thieving, murdering (even drive-by shooting events) of most citizens. 

If a vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian is observed casing (watching for criminal opportunities), they may be questioned as to their business in the area. They must provide proof of identity and why they are loitering or observed in the area on multiple occasions. Remember, law enforcement who patrol usually know each vehicle and many times the actual residents and their family or friends who visit them who are seen in their patrol area. Businesses also benefit from this homeless integration program as would-be burglars are more easily observed in the area. This significantly cuts down on crime or criminal activity, gang violence, casing, or stalking.

As a further application of the program, I believe that it should also include a home economics, nutrition, and hygiene group therapy or classes to help each person attain satisfactory and achievable clean living. Their new housing, whether HUD or Housing Authority or apartment living, should also have mandatory monthly inspections to make sure the program and classes are working. What the homeless person is consistently made to understand is a verbal and written outline explaining everyone’s part in the program, even outlining expectations for the homeless person to remain sponsored. Leaving no misunderstandings that this is NOT a charity program, but just a way up from devastating circumstances, sometimes beyond their control, and better hopeful dignified living, gives the person a sense of belonging to society. They suddenly have a daily living schedule and pathway to eventually be a successful contribution to society. In short, they are given the freedom of attainable dignity and basic quality of life and standard of living.

Some homeless may be evaluated as too severely mentally or physically disabled to qualify for the program, but those people can use the existing services to place them in the proper facilities, group homes, or disabled housing lists. We need to separate program qualifiers from those who need immediate help in the existing system. Once this separation and distinction is determined by authorities, it becomes easier to help homeless advance instead of just existing. Even those beggars who have learned to ask for monetary handouts may be slightly mentally disabled or disturbed and should have compassion and understanding approaches getting them off the street. If they are just conning people on the corner, it relieves the rest of us from pangs of guilt as our window stays up as we pass them by.

Is this compassionate? Yes. Does it provide a positive process preventing homelessness in the first place? Yes. Because people know about the program, they no longer must wait until they are on the street to avail themselves of the homeless intervention program! Yes, you can get the help you need before you find yourself in a shelter. This program allows people to call or come by an office or Department of Human Services to ask for assistance. They usually do not have money or funds enough to live on and are probably on the verge of eviction after losing their job. This program guarantees them a job in another location. Sometimes, they can choose this new job and location, too! It really depends on their written and verbal assessments and evaluations where and with what company they are most closely compatible.

Please note that any child support services and other obligations are incorporated into the program where the applicant has an achievable budget and savings that benefits them and their families. Reasons this works is that the person is given classes and pamphlets showing them how to do basic budgeting for successful buying and savings. This information clearly outlines what is a need, or a want, or a whim and how to treat each in a non-spontaneous process promoting successful living. As a further incentive, the homeless person may qualify for free GED classes or college courses or degree programs, especially if sponsored by their company.

We can do this. It does take a project manager to draw up this program and implementation procedures, but this solution is the best path forward for all of us…a safety net if you lose your job or get a surprise divorce. What is the cost, you ask? I say, how can you put a price on dignity, safety, and quality of life for all citizens of the richest nation on Earth? Ending homelessness is as simple as demanding change and following through with your convictions helping others less fortunate than yourself.

© Copyright, Homeless Solution, 1/18/2023, April Graves-Minton, Love MoonEagle. All Rights Reserved.