A North County nonprofit that houses homeless families says it will walk away from roughly $95,000 in federal funding rather than comply with new regulations that forbid it from requiring residents to stay away from drugs.
Solutions for Change is one of several homeless agencies in the region working to respond to a new federal policy called Housing First that focuses on getting people into permanent homes with no strings attached.
The philosophy is a monumental shift in fighting homelessness that suggests it’s cheaper and more effective to first get people off the streets, rather than first attack the problems that landed them there. Many social services organizations are embracing the change; others, like Solutions, are balking.
“That is the most insane policy that I and my colleagues have ever heard of for homeless families,” said Chris Megison, the founder and executive director of Vista-based Solutions, which houses roughly 133 families in apartments spread throughout several North County communities.
Supporters of the new approach — tested through pilot programs over the past several years — say it’s already showing great success. They say it saves taxpayer money by cutting down on costly emergency room visits, and makes more sense than asking someone struggling to find shelter to first kick drugs or alcohol. Voluntary treatment programs and other services would be available after the person is housed.
To continue reading this article by Teri Figueroa, go to: http://www.sandiegouniontribun...ainst-housing-first/
Comments (0)