Homelessness: A Nationwide Problem with Local Solutions

Across America, well over half a million people are experiencing homelessness every day. It is an issue on a national scale. So, what role does the local government play?

Well, the federal government is too far removed to be able to address the intricacies of homelessness. In order to solve homelessness, we need new ideas, ones that we can implement on a small scale and then scale up if they work. We need to be able to try new things and develop strategies that take into account differences in situations across the country. We need local government.

So, what exactly can local government do? How do we end homelessness?

For starters, it is critical to listen to the unhoused themselves and ask them what they need. Back in 2017, Austin started engaging the unhoused in their approach. This gave legitimacy to the effort and restored trust in government. It also helped them come up with several ideas that now seem common sense, like giving the unhoused storage lockers so they can protect their belongings, distributing travel-size hygiene products so they can hold onto them when moving locations, and providing online access.

Local governments across the country have implemented a number of different strategies, and thanks to their work, we have a better idea of how to help the unhoused. As Coalition for the Homeless says on their website, “Many of the most successful housing-based policies designed to address the homelessness crisis… were pioneered in New York City and have been replicated throughout the country.”

Two of these policies are permanent supportive housing and “housing first.” Permanent supportive housing provides the unhoused with affordable housing assistance and support services for those with mental illness, HIV/AIDS, or serious health problems. “Housing first” moves long-term unhoused individuals into subsidized housing and then linking them to support. These policies were both developed in New York City, found to be effective, and then moved nationwide.

This is a massive part of why local government is so important. It is a great place to test possible solutions to national problems. From there, we can scale up these solutions.

To thoroughly examine the local government’s role in homelessness and its solution, we must consider what drives homelessness. At the end of the day, it is because people can’t afford houses. And this is because we do not have enough affordable housing. We have less and less each year.

The local government can make affordable housing. They can increase housing assistance for low-income people. They can invest in building and preserving affordable housing. They can also strengthen rent regulation laws that keep houses affordable.

If you believe that everyone deserves a home, then get out and vote in your local elections. Vote for candidates who will fight for new, exciting solutions. Vote for candidates who will listen to the unhoused and will protect the unhoused.

The unhoused have a lot of difficulty voting, and as little as 1 in 10 make it to the polls, so please get out and advocate for them.

Rideshare2Vote believes that everyone should be able to access the polls, and we believe in the power of local elections to have a considerable impact. That’s why we run in local elections across the country. Join us in voting in every election, no matter how small.

by Betsy Zalinski