Submitted by Fred Yancey
How much money needs to be repeatedly thrown at dealing with the issue of homelessness? Apparently there is no cap. Millions continue to be spent and new dollars allocated for programs that show very little efficacy. The few programs that claim “success” have expenditures per recipient that are astronomical. Clearly, different approaches are needed.
One such approach is to develop a universal basic income model where those that qualify get cash stipends. There are many pilot programs testing this model and early indicators show success in not only ending one’s homelessness but also re-entering the workforce. An overview of these programs can be viewed at the National League of Cities' site in a report titled, "
Basic Income in Cities: A Guide to City Experiments and Pilot Projects."
Its theme: "Cities are uniquely positioned to lead the country forward through innovation and ferocious experimentation."
Washington State is setting up the Evergreen Basic Income Pilot Program to start in 2024. This program will serve 7,500 persons by providing 100% of fair market rent for those that qualify.
Giving cash to individuals would be far cheaper than the present system that just throws money to establish various bureaucracies, multiple staff, and yet, shows very few permanent gains. And when one divides the money spent per person, it’s a shocking amount spent for little gain. Why not pursue a different approach?
Another approach could address the requirement to provide a solution to the proliferation of encampments. These various agencies funded to combat homelessness could pool their money and buy the old Tumwater Brewery warehouse/shipping property. They could retro-fit the warehouse into apartments and use the vast parking lot for vehicle and RV siting. That would at least allow the closure and relocation of the numerous camps set up throughout Thurston County.
In short, it’s long past expensive time to think outside the current expensive box and develop a new container.
~ Fred Yancey, Olympia
The opinions expressed above are those of the writer and not necessarily those of The JOLT's staff or board of directors. Got something to say about a topic of interest to Thurston County residents? Send it to us and we’ll most likely publish it. See the Contribute your news button at the top of every page.
JW
Many of the vagrants on the streets already get SSI payouts and how is that flat cash payment system working?
Any and all no strings attached handouts are enablement that make the transient "lifestyle" possible. The only reason this is a viable way of life is because we make it so by handing out goods, money, and services.
Thursday, October 26, 2023 Report this
ConservativeHippie
Holy **** it doesn't take much to get a letter published in JOLT.
Problem - We haven't seen results from throwing money at a problem.
Solution - Throw more money at the problem, but this time let's use a scheme that give zero incentive to fix the root problem.
Genius I say, genius!
Let's ignore the suggestion to turn the Tumwater blight into the Tumwater disaster crime zone. We don't need to pile on poor Fred.
The problem is easy enough for everyone to see, but our elected leaders have failed us. Why do we keep electing the same brand? We have a drug and mental health problem. Plain and simple. No amount of cheap housing or expensive basic income stipends is going to solve the problem. It will only continue the slide of our wealthy state into a bipolar zombie wasteland ignored by the wealthy in safe spaces.
We need people like you Fred. I'm sorry I poked fun. You care. Let's get that energy directed in the right place. No solution can begin or end without mental health facility and recovery pathways. No solution can begin or end without drug rehabilitation facilities and recovery pathways.
Think of all the money that has been squandered on schemes that only exacerbated the problem. How many "charities" and NGO's profited from fat tax dollar pockets and weak efforts? We are a healthy and wealthy state, but we won't be much longer if we continue to squander our resources and allow our neighbors to wallow in misery.
Point of contact - Jail, Mental Health Eval, Drug Rehab Eval, or existing services to get down-on-their-luck types off the street. Clear pathways for our first responders to direct our neighbors who are in crisis. The money is there, but is our will and compassion?
Thursday, October 26, 2023 Report this