The homeless is a state problem rather than a regional or individual County or City problem. All cities and Counties need to form a single JPA that develops a unified plan that address all stakeholders’ interests. It needs to be flexible, managed by the State with the assistance of other agency representatives and be implemented by means of a unified authoriy. The other problem is the lack of low-income available housing. Construction fees and licenses can often cost more than land itself. Most communities use a complicated review process that can be expensive, time-consuming, and give NIMBY (Not in My Back Yard) activists power to block new housing or drag the approval process out for years.
Additionally, every existing drug and needle dispensary throughout the state will be shut down. We can’t enable the homeless any longer. They will have a choice, shut down or convert to a health care or mental health facility for the homeless.
One idea that could gain favor is to have the private sector take over the management of the facilities. Faith based groups, habitat for Humanity, and other private building groups could build, remodel and repurpose buildings to provide shelter. To keep cost down, Modular construction and standard specification could be used and projects would not be subject to Prevailing wages. Able bodied homeless could be trained, and provide sweat equity to offset tax payer’s contribution.
For more detailed information, please visit my website: www.DiegoMartinezforGovernor.com
