As a homeless-shelter operator, I understand that entering one is not for everyone. But homeless persons have many other options for accessing help. There are diverse needs among homeless persons; some cannot be sheltered in the same space without incident. Addictions cannot be brought into a shelter where others are trying to stay clean and sober. Even if given housing, some would not be able to maintain it for long without addressing the issues that threaten their housing sustainability.
Working homeless people in need of a rental deposit can easily be housed within 60 days, if that is their only barrier to housing. In fact, going to a shelter is often unnecessary if they are willing to work with someone to speed their way into housing. There are also various programs that can quickly assist with housing: Rapid Rehousing and Rent to Work programs funded by both the state and city do exactly that.
A recent column by ACLU Executive Director Joshua Wisch properly reminded us that homeless people have rights (“Homeless Opens in a new tab have same rights as rest of Opens in a new tabus Opens in a new tab,” Island Voices, Star-Advertiser, Oct. 14). I wholeheartedly agree; we must protect their rights and not criminalize the poor.
Where I depart from his perspective is the depiction of two people as victimized by sidewalk enforcements. From years of outreach experience, I know that people don’t always share the full extent of their challenges with strangers. So it is not surprising that they may not have discussed the many offers of assistance they were provided.
These services are available, and the ACLU could assist the people they have encountered in accessing these services.
Suggesting that there is no compassion for those on the street disrespects the valiant efforts of many homeless providers who reach out to numerous homeless people every day to offer choices to improve their lives. The choice to make a change in one’s life always belongs to each individual. But homeless-service providers are there to offer solutions to people on the streets and provide them with options to accept help.
Many complain that shelters put up barriers to people coming in, but the definition of a shelter is a place offering temporary protection from something harmful. This means that shelters are obligated to provide safety, stability and ideally, growth opportunities for those who choose to access them. So individuals who refuse to engage with counselors, who behave violently or who bring weapons, alcohol or drugs into the shelter threaten the safety of the shelter environment.
The reality is that shelters are just one of numerous options available to individuals needing assistance, and the more organizations like the ACLU and the public as a whole are educated about these options, the more they can help become a part of the solution.
Homeless service providers in Hawaii have realized the best way to extend their reach and help as many people as possible is by developing extensive partnerships throughout our communities; these partnerships allow service providers to connect with more people and offer a wider range of services to help them end their homelessness.
People who are homeless are still individuals with their own specific needs, and service providers have worked diligently to maximize a variety of services to meet those needs. The ACLU would be a welcomed partner in helping homeless service providers connect homeless people with the appropriate resources and programs to help them get back into housing.
Connie K.Y.F. Mitchell is executive director of IHS, The Institute for Human Services Inc.
