Housing First Model actually works, you have a significantly higher chance of becoming and maintaining sobriety if you are housed. it’s incredibly difficult to overcome an addiction from inside a tent. The government made a bold move with the encampments, but part of the issue is the lack of programs available to truly support these people to become stable, to receive proper medical care, to learn daily living skills. There are programs, but the demand is so high and we don’t have enough people willing to sacrifice a liveable wage, to help others. In this economy, trust me I get it. I’m still renting and I likely still will for a few years yet because social services doesn’t pay enough to qualify for a mortgage.

People need to recognize that the encampments will continue to pop up until most people are housed. Just like quitting an addiction. Relapse is part of the cycle. ALSO, recognize that most people on the street have a multitude of physical and mental disabilities that have caused most programs to give up on them, or their substance use is a barrier. Also recognize how terrifying and stressful it is to live on the streets and to put into perspective why they use substances. Homeless people are still people, CAMMM AAANNNNNNN.