Excellent, clear-headed, thoughtful, data-driven, politics-free analysis that addresses the -root causes- of homelessness. Most of our current “solutions” to homelessness are essentially circular and tautological,ie. the “cause” of homelessness -is- homelessness. Perkins’ argument breaks that cycle. He cogently argues that only by -first- tackling the root causes of most homelessness (drugs, mental illness) will we collectively stop chasing our tail and, sadly, getting nowhere.
I hope the Mayor reads this, because his current night shelter strategy is NOT working and is further harming the neighborhoods where they are located. Drug addicted homeless, when released from the shelters at 6 am, are spread across sidewalks in drug induced stupors and rage loudly and profanely as they wander throughout the neighborhoods. Streetcars are filthy and unpleasant and the chances of being verbally assaulted are good. Parks have become overrun by homeless during the day where they leaving syringes and garbage. Taxpayers are being denied their safety and use of the parks and other amenities they pay for. Making taxpayers the victims does nothing to combat the real problem of drug addiction and mental illness. Perkins is right…treat the problems first and homelessness will decline.
AT LAST….someone who understands the problem…. And understands the mistake that has driven Portlands homeless agenda…. “We believe people with substance abuse disorder (SUD) have free will and should be allowed to make the decision when to seek detox”. Walk around downtown Portland and see the people crashed in doorways, on park benches, on sidewalks and tell me you think those people just need a low cost house. These people are addicted to a powerful drug or have a debilitating metal illness and we need to help them. Not by giving them a pipe and tin foil that enables their addiction, but real medical help, because they can’t help themselves.
I agree that everyone has free will which makes us all the more human. I hope you keep writing about your ideas. The efforts to help the severely mentally ill have been hampered by unwise policies that further stigmatize those with medical conditions that are both a choice and a disease. I strongly oppose housing first and needle distributions and am pushing a modern civil commitment plan which takes into account the civil liberties of the severely mentally ill in addition to community needs for a safe, civil and beautiful public space. We need more voices like yours in Portland. With practical solutions like you propose, based in common sense and reality, the city will become whole again. Thanks.
This is the clearest statement I have heard of what it will take to solve our "homeless" problem. Yes, I realize we have homeless people! I put the word in quotes in the previous sentence because lack of a home is not the source of our problem. It is an outcome caused primarily by substance abuse and untreated mental illness.
Excellent writing and so true about the willingness of our political elites being willing to sacrifice the public square and the common good for their libertarian attitudes towards drug addicts and the mentally ill. Housing First has been a lynchpin of their failed policies.
Thank you so much.
Who pays for this?
Excellent, clear-headed, thoughtful, data-driven, politics-free analysis that addresses the -root causes- of homelessness. Most of our current “solutions” to homelessness are essentially circular and tautological,ie. the “cause” of homelessness -is- homelessness. Perkins’ argument breaks that cycle. He cogently argues that only by -first- tackling the root causes of most homelessness (drugs, mental illness) will we collectively stop chasing our tail and, sadly, getting nowhere.
I hope the Mayor reads this, because his current night shelter strategy is NOT working and is further harming the neighborhoods where they are located. Drug addicted homeless, when released from the shelters at 6 am, are spread across sidewalks in drug induced stupors and rage loudly and profanely as they wander throughout the neighborhoods. Streetcars are filthy and unpleasant and the chances of being verbally assaulted are good. Parks have become overrun by homeless during the day where they leaving syringes and garbage. Taxpayers are being denied their safety and use of the parks and other amenities they pay for. Making taxpayers the victims does nothing to combat the real problem of drug addiction and mental illness. Perkins is right…treat the problems first and homelessness will decline.
This needs to be forwarded to Wilson and company...
Unfortunately he doesn’t seem like the type that is open to being confronted with facts or logic.
AT LAST….someone who understands the problem…. And understands the mistake that has driven Portlands homeless agenda…. “We believe people with substance abuse disorder (SUD) have free will and should be allowed to make the decision when to seek detox”. Walk around downtown Portland and see the people crashed in doorways, on park benches, on sidewalks and tell me you think those people just need a low cost house. These people are addicted to a powerful drug or have a debilitating metal illness and we need to help them. Not by giving them a pipe and tin foil that enables their addiction, but real medical help, because they can’t help themselves.
I agree that everyone has free will which makes us all the more human. I hope you keep writing about your ideas. The efforts to help the severely mentally ill have been hampered by unwise policies that further stigmatize those with medical conditions that are both a choice and a disease. I strongly oppose housing first and needle distributions and am pushing a modern civil commitment plan which takes into account the civil liberties of the severely mentally ill in addition to community needs for a safe, civil and beautiful public space. We need more voices like yours in Portland. With practical solutions like you propose, based in common sense and reality, the city will become whole again. Thanks.
Run for mayor!
Agreed
This is the clearest statement I have heard of what it will take to solve our "homeless" problem. Yes, I realize we have homeless people! I put the word in quotes in the previous sentence because lack of a home is not the source of our problem. It is an outcome caused primarily by substance abuse and untreated mental illness.
Excellent writing and so true about the willingness of our political elites being willing to sacrifice the public square and the common good for their libertarian attitudes towards drug addicts and the mentally ill. Housing First has been a lynchpin of their failed policies.
Thank you--may Mayor Wilson have the smarts to meet with you and LEARN.
Excellent. I’m interested in volunteering in some way to make this part of the citywide conversation. Is that a possibility? Thanks!