2008 Woodie Awards
Hope for the Homeless
An innovative approach to housing could provide a model for Cincinnati
Alex Hollingsworth & Erik Lambert
Issue date: 4/15/08 Section: OpEd Page
Homelessness is a problematic reality that afflicts most urban communities in the United States. The federal government defines a homeless individual as one who lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence or an individual whose primary nighttime residence is a supervised shelter, a temporary residence for those pending institutionalization or a public or private place not intended to accommodate a sleeping individual.
Cincinnati, Ohio experiences significant homelessness, but has done relatively little to alleviate it. In 2004, the city of Cincinnati significantly reduced its expenditures on human services, only to have it later restored to 50 percent of its previous level. Currently, the approach to alleviate homelessness in Cincinnati has taken a management-oriented approach. Los Angeles, a city comparable in size and homelessness demographics, has taken a more proactive approach by utilizing the Housing First model. This model seeks to eliminate homelessness by providing the homeless and their families with relatively inexpensive permanent housing and providing pursuant social services. The model asserts that the sequence of providing housing then services to the homeless is the best approach for ensuring a long-term solution for the homeless. The demographic similarities between Los Angeles and Cincinnati and the resounding national success of the model seem to indicate that Housing First is an applicable and effective solution to homelessness in Cincinnati.
On any given night in Cincinnati, around 2000 people are without shelter. In the last 15 years, Cincinnati's homeless population has seen a 150 percent increase. While Cincinnati does some human service contracting with nonprofit agencies, this approach has proven inadequate because it relies on outside agencies to coordinate aid to the homeless. While the non-profit agencies seek to treat the homeless problem, they are not provided adequate resources to move beyond mere management of the situation. A proactive alternative is necessary in order to significantly reduce the number of homeless people in Cincinnati.
Cincinnati, Ohio experiences significant homelessness, but has done relatively little to alleviate it. In 2004, the city of Cincinnati significantly reduced its expenditures on human services, only to have it later restored to 50 percent of its previous level. Currently, the approach to alleviate homelessness in Cincinnati has taken a management-oriented approach. Los Angeles, a city comparable in size and homelessness demographics, has taken a more proactive approach by utilizing the Housing First model. This model seeks to eliminate homelessness by providing the homeless and their families with relatively inexpensive permanent housing and providing pursuant social services. The model asserts that the sequence of providing housing then services to the homeless is the best approach for ensuring a long-term solution for the homeless. The demographic similarities between Los Angeles and Cincinnati and the resounding national success of the model seem to indicate that Housing First is an applicable and effective solution to homelessness in Cincinnati.
On any given night in Cincinnati, around 2000 people are without shelter. In the last 15 years, Cincinnati's homeless population has seen a 150 percent increase. While Cincinnati does some human service contracting with nonprofit agencies, this approach has proven inadequate because it relies on outside agencies to coordinate aid to the homeless. While the non-profit agencies seek to treat the homeless problem, they are not provided adequate resources to move beyond mere management of the situation. A proactive alternative is necessary in order to significantly reduce the number of homeless people in Cincinnati.
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