Homelessness in America is a growing problem. Today’s recession may force over 1.5 million into homelessness over the next two years, according to estimates by The National Alliance to End Homelessness. In a 2008 report, the U.S. Conference of Mayors cited a major increase in the number of homeless in 19 out of the 25 cities surveyed.

On average, cities reported a 12 percent increase of homelessness in America since 2007. Estimates of actual homelessness vary, depending on the methodology used to survey the homeless population.  Numbers also vary substantially depending on whether a measurement is taken on a single night or is extrapolated to a given year.  To date, estimates range between 2.3 and 3.5 million people who are homeless. According to a 2008 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development report:

An estimated 671,888 people experienced homelessness in one night in January 2007.  58% of them were living in shelters and transitional housing and 42% were unsheltered.

The face of homelessness in America is changing.

Joining the discussion are panelists:

• Mike Rawlings - Appointed by the Mayor of Dallas as Dallas’ Homeless Czar
• Mike Faenza – President and CEO of the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance
• Bill Thompson - Executive Director of the Union Gospel Mission
• Lynne Sipiora – Executive Director of the Samaritan Inn, McKinney – Collin County, TX

Although homelessness is a difficult number to measure definitively, it appears that more people—especially families—are sleeping in shelters, living in their cars, and taking up residence in tent communities.  The definitions of homelessness can differ based on context, however, homelessness is generally defined as a person who “lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence.”

Many cities around the country have taken major strides in working with the homeless in new ways with great success. New Ways of Transitioning the Homeless focuses not so much on the root causes of homelessness, mental health and addictions, but ways to successfully transition them to permanent housing.

Homelessness in Affluent America

Lynne Sipiora’s situation in Collin County, TX, one of the most affluent counties in the nation, is somewhat shocking.  The Samaritan Inn shelter has 130 beds. Ms. Sipiora states,

“At one time every head of household in the shelter had a college degree. The economy is causing episodic homelessness, people who have lost their job.  People who at one time may have been volunteers in the shelter or donors, now find themselves clients of the Samaritan Inn.”

She points out that the face of the homelessness has changed due to the economy.

The Bridge

The city of Dallas, TX is setting an innovative pace for other U.S. cities with an aggressive 10 year strategic plan to end homelessness. The city has built a campus called The Bridge, a housing coalition that serves as a transition for those who can then go to permanent housing.

Mike Rawlings and Mike Faenza talk about the work of The Bridge and its revolutionary concept, which provides education, job counseling and health care under one roof. The Bridge pulls together a number of associations that collaborate on the concern, leveraging government and private funding. It is a true one-stop shopping concept – one location that handles severe persistent mental issues and focuses on the chronically homeless as well.

The Bridge was initially started with a $23 million bond election 4 years ago. The founders argued that this was better than the alternative – having people on the street.

As a result of The Bridge there has been a 59% decrease in those sleeping out of doors or abandoned buildings and a marked decrease in crime in the area.

Union Gospel Mission

Bill Thompson with Union Gospel Mission tells us their mission which focuses on the inner core of an individual and their spiritual side.  They focus on the failure in a person’s life that may have gotten him or her to the place of being homeless. Union Gospel Mission introduces standards to its clients by which they are going to live the rest of their lives and gives a sound stable foundation. It addresses the causes of homelessness not its symptoms.

New Ways of Transitioning the Homeless paints a grim picture of what can happen to those who may not have a safety net. It also gives hope that people do care and cities are working hard to alleviate this growing concern.

Once again, thanks for joining us as we talk about things that matter… with people who care.

Niki Nicastro McCuistion
Executive Producer/Producer

***

1822 – 05.23.2010

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Below is a press release from the Texas Public Policy Foundation on their view on Health Care Reform. This is a conservative viewpoint.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 22, 2010

CONTACT:

David Guenthner
(512) 472-2700
dguenthner@texaspolicy.com

Foundation: State policymakers should take steps to protect Texas from ObamaCare

AUSTIN – The Texas Public Policy Foundation criticizes yesterday’s U.S. House passage of legislation that enables the federal government takeover of America’s health care system.

“The legislation that Congress has sent to the White House will have disastrous consequences on Texans’ access to quality health care,” said The Honorable Arlene Wohlgemuth, executive director of the Texas Public Policy Foundation.  “We will work with Texas policymakers to explore all available options to protect our state from the fiscal damage and other harmful consequences of this law going into effect.”

Among the options the Foundation urges state policymakers to consider:

* Litigation challenging the constitutionality of the law. “Prominent legal scholars have identified constitutional defects in at least four major aspects of the legislation,” Wohlgemuth said.  “The provision forcing Americans to purchase health insurance is antithetical to both the U.S. Constitution and the American tradition of individual liberty.”

* State legislation to protect, improve, and lower the cost of Texans’ health care. “Dozens of states are pursuing legislation to protect their residents from the bill’s requirement that individuals purchase health insurance, and the Texas Legislature should do likewise,” Wohlgemuth said.  “The Legislature should also allow Texans to purchase health insurance plans regulated by any other state, create a Health Savings Account option in all state employee and retiree health plans, and allow non-physician medical professionals to provide care to the extent of their medical training.”

* Alternatives to continued participation in the federal Medicaid program. “The runaway costs in Medicaid are at the core of Texas’ current budget problems, and this new federal law will increase Texas’ Medicaid caseload by 50 percent, putting one-fourth of Texas’ population into this government program,” Wohlgemuth said.  “The federal government has no right to co-opt state budgets in the manner that it is with Medicaid.  The Texas Legislature should study fiscally responsible alternatives to the current Medicaid program.”

* A supplementary request that state agencies identify additional budget cuts beyond the 5 percent reductions previously solicited by the state leadership. “Even if Congress provides funding for the first few years of expanded Medicaid eligibility, Texas will eventually bear the full costs of Medicaid expansion, while other provisions of the bill will immediately increase the state’s cost to provide care for our current Medicaid recipients,” Wohlgemuth said.  “The state has estimated the Medicaid provisions will cost at least $24.3 billion in additional general revenue over the first 10 years.  Legislators need to help the public understand how deeply we will need to cut public education, transportation, and public safety to pay for this unfunded federal Medicaid mandate.”

The Honorable Arlene Wohlgemuth is Executive Director and Director of the Center for Health Care Policy at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a non-profit, free-market research institute based in Austin. She served 10 years in the Texas House of Representatives, specializing in health care issues.

The Texas Public Policy Foundation is a non-profit free-market research institute based in Austin.

Primary website:  www.TexasPolicy.com
Facebook page:  www.Facebook.com/TexasPublicPolicyFoundation
Twitter feed:  www.Twitter.com/TPPF