Failed Efforts
After decades of repeating efforts with the same failing characteristics, it’s time to stop expecting different results.
Characteristics of all Failed Efforts
Previous efforts to house and help America’s chronic homeless population has come up short because every effort over the past 30 years has shared one or all of these characteristics:
Small Scale
Cities build homeless housing for 30 people when they need housing for thousands. This is the norm because of budget constraints, land availability, restrictions set by city zoning, pushback from local residents (NIMBY), and city council decisions.
Incomplete
One meal a day, some dirty clothes, and a few nights in a shelter are far from what is needed to help anyone break the cycle of homelessness.
Short Term
Local politicians want the appearance of quick results, but the efforts never last:
- Tear down tent encampments, but with no place to go, the homeless just rebuild.
- Arrest panhandlers, but they need money, so they return later.
- Bus the homeless out of town, but that just pushes the problem to another town, and many times the homeless return.
Economically Unsustainable
A great example is New York City’s spending of $364 million per year on hotels for the homeless; some rooms cost as much as $549 a night. Mayor de Blasio vows to spend that much in upcoming years.
Undesired
Many street homeless would rather sleep on the streets than in shelters for various reasons:
- Risk safety or theft in communal sleeping areas
- Couples not allowed to sleep together
- Forced attendance of religious services
- Too dangerous sleeping in communal areas
- Risk of property theft
- Pets not allowed
And the general public usually doesn’t want homeless shelters or housing near their neighborhoods. This is commonly referred to as “Not In My Back Yard” (NIMBY) push back.
Repeated Efforts = Repeated Results
The following organizations and leaders have created plans with clear goals to end or reduce homelessness. No efforts worked.
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1994
President Clinton
The Clinton administration brought together staff from 17 federal agencies to develop the plan "Priority: Home!" with the goal of reducing homelessness by one-third. It didn't work.
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2000
The National Alliance to End Homelessness
The organization created "A Plan, Not a Dream: How to End Homelessness in Ten Years." It didn't work.
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2002
President Bush
The George W. Bush administration established a national goal of ending chronic homelessness in ten years. It didn't work.
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2004
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newson
Created his "Ten Year Plan to Abolish Chronic Homelessness." And after spending $1.5 billion, it didn't work.
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2010
President Obama
The Obama administration initiated its effort called "Open Doors," which aimed to end homelessness by 2020. With a few months to go, it's not close to meeting its goal.
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2010
Department of Veterans Affairs
This government agency set a goal to completely eliminate homelessness among veterans by 2015. It didn't work.
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2011
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
The mayor started the program "Home for Good," which promised to end chronic and veterans' homelessness in five years. It didn't work.
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2014
Los Angeles Mayor Garcetti
Mayor Garcetti accepted the Obama administration's challenge to end veteran homelessness by 2015. It didn't work.
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2017
New York Governor Cuomo
Governor Cuomo committed $20 billion to combat homelessness with a five-year plan. If history is any indicator, New York taxpayers will not be pleased with the outcome.
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2018
Los Angeles Mayor Garcetti
Mayor Garcetti declared to end chronic street homelessness for the city by 2028. His plans didn't work in the past, and his city's homeless population is steadily growing each year, including a 16% increase over 2018.
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