"Complex social problems do not yield to simple solutions. " Amen to that. But, just for fun, here's another simple solution. Isn't Dignity Village still going strong? Perhaps the homeless themselves should be in charge. But then they might become a political force, and that's the last thing anybody wants.
A degree of self-management of such facilities is a good thing, though I am not up to speed with how the Dignity Village model is working today. Who knows whether management by residents would build a political constituency? I don't think we should let predicted political consequences block exploration of good ideas.
Thank you for this thoughtful editorial revealing the complexity of our social problems. There isn’t one easy answer. My goal is to address one piece: the acuity level of the on-street behavioral health problems that leave people vulnerable and can threaten the safety of the rest of us.
Candidates for office should be asked to address not only demand for tax payer funded housing but also the expense of the supply.
Why is demand stubbornly high?
Why is "homeless" still being used as the catch-all?
Why does Portland attract drug addicted?
Why do productive members of society need to supply housing to all unproductive members regardless of cost?
Why is taking drug addicted off the streets and placing them in treatment facilities considered inhumane but leaving them in an unhealthy state considered humane?
What about creating a triage system that identifies each unfortunate citizen by their challenges and have a solution menu?
From my vantage point Portland is flailing and failing. The same solutions being applied seems to be insanity.
"Complex social problems do not yield to simple solutions. " Amen to that. But, just for fun, here's another simple solution. Isn't Dignity Village still going strong? Perhaps the homeless themselves should be in charge. But then they might become a political force, and that's the last thing anybody wants.
A degree of self-management of such facilities is a good thing, though I am not up to speed with how the Dignity Village model is working today. Who knows whether management by residents would build a political constituency? I don't think we should let predicted political consequences block exploration of good ideas.
Thank you for this thoughtful editorial revealing the complexity of our social problems. There isn’t one easy answer. My goal is to address one piece: the acuity level of the on-street behavioral health problems that leave people vulnerable and can threaten the safety of the rest of us.
Thank you Allen.
Candidates for office should be asked to address not only demand for tax payer funded housing but also the expense of the supply.
Why is demand stubbornly high?
Why is "homeless" still being used as the catch-all?
Why does Portland attract drug addicted?
Why do productive members of society need to supply housing to all unproductive members regardless of cost?
Why is taking drug addicted off the streets and placing them in treatment facilities considered inhumane but leaving them in an unhealthy state considered humane?
What about creating a triage system that identifies each unfortunate citizen by their challenges and have a solution menu?
From my vantage point Portland is flailing and failing. The same solutions being applied seems to be insanity.