SOUL-utions

I love this time of year... nothing screams Autumn like constant political bombardment from pundits and lobbyists and Super PACs. Its enough to make Charlie Brown crawl inside the Great Pumpkin and seal himself off from the rest of the world for a few months. Everyone is in the promising mood and  the number of election signs have finally surpassed roadside deer.

So, in climate of realpolitik where everyone is offering an answer to life, the universe, and everything else, Samaritan House is seeking to provide some suggestions that put the 'soul' into solutions. Here is a nonpartisan template on how  Kalispell can continue to make progress in addressing the needs of its homeless brothers and sisters. This is a continuation of what we have been discussing over the past few weeks.

Homelessness is not just in Kalispell. It is a national problem and, therefore, requires a national solution. Poverty must be addressed at the federal level to ensure the poor throughout the nation will receive equal benefits and services. Homelessness needs to be attacked nationally to deal with the structural problems that cause poverty locally.

Practical Steps in Addressing Homelessness in Kalispell

Analyze the characteristics of people who are or could potentially become homeless. Determine which essential services are most needed and the best way to deliver these services. Essential services can include assistance in obtaining benefits, getting housing, improving daily living skills, transportation, connecting with support groups, nutritional counseling, obtaining clothing, vocational help, child care, and education.

Design programs that put able adults or families into permanent housing as soon as possible. Provide job training for a minimum of one year after placement, and services such as mental health and substance abuse support, if needed. Create a community resource development strategy.

Provide education to homeless people on financial management, credit counseling, and overcoming bad credit histories. Educate and negotiate with landlords in order to prevent evictions.

Create housing trust funds and rental assistance programs, and provide access to funding for short-term needs such as moving expenses, security deposits, and paying rent arrears.

Ensure that people transitioning from a temporary shelter have housing, job training, transportation, mental and general health care, and case management.

Measure the outcomes of services provided to the homeless. Evaluate whether the programs meet their needs. Create a planning and evaluation process that assures input from the community and stakeholders as well as measurements of the progress of the program.

Hold frequent meetings with key players in program implementation such as funding sources, service providers, and skilled and diplomatic administrative staff in order to coordinate services. Make a long term commitment to initiatives to end homelessness.

Provide information on your organization's homeless initiatives to local government programs. Homeless people usually qualify for various types of public assistance, so public agencies must coordinate various services and refer clients to homeless programs. Encourage various agencies to create an inter-agency initiative to end homelessness.