Homelessness

Check out our new documentary Homelessness: The Reality and the Solution

Policies aimed at addressing urban homelessness have failed to reduce street sleeping or to help the unhoused return to self-sufficiency. While the national government and many cities are trying to build expensive and permanent homes for every homeless person, they are ignoring the real prevalence of mental illness and substance use among those on the streets. Today’s homeless funds support a small network of connected developers while allowing the real problems to fester. We need new strategies that emphasize mental health treatment, drug and alcohol rehab, and affordable short-term shelter. Cities need to encourage and mandate treatment for those who can’t help themselves. These alternate approaches are required to serve the homeless, local businesses, taxpayers, and public safety.

Our Solutions:

HOMELESSNESS SERVICES: Permitting street camping increases violence and deprives cities of a valuable tool to encourage homeless people to engage with treatment. Preventing street homelessness by banning street camping, instituting pay-for-performance contracts, reforming mental health admission criteria, and providing affordable shelter and service alternatives will save money, improve communities, and help the homeless get back on their feet.