Columbia should create long-term solutions instead of criminalizing homelessness
Once again, Columbia’s leaders are working to tackle one of the most pressing issues facing our community — homelessness.
For decades, we have talked about strategy after strategy to solve the homelessness problem in Columbia — how to stop panhandling or end people sleeping on benches.
In reality, these solutions are only meant to remove our homeless neighbors from our sight. Not only that, they haven’t looked toward any long-term solutions for solving homelessness.
Instead of solving homelessness, we are again trying to criminalize the issue and those experiencing it.
The fact is, a majority of Columbia’s homeless population became this way because of a setback, job loss, mental health, medical costs, skyrocketing housing prices and generational poverty. These are not criminal acts worthy of our judgment and disdain. These are hardships faced everyday by our friends and neighbors.
As President and CEO of Homeless No More, I see first-hand the fragility of circumstances for families who near the poverty line. A missed rent check or mortgage payment, and suddenly you and your children are homeless. For most families, this should be a temporary experience. But, because of failures in our existing system, homelessness becomes a chronic issue with generational consequences.
As a community, we need to focus on support services aimed at making homelessness as temporary as possible for families and individuals instead of consistently putting in place practices and policies that not only criminalize being homeless but lengthen the cycle of homelessness for families. We must provide the right services at the right time.
Over the last 30 years, Homeless No More has developed a sustainable and effective model for helping families out of homelessness.
Providing a spectrum of care — from emergency services to transitional and affordable housing to life skills classes and job search assistance — keeps families together and empowers them to work toward a permanent, self-sufficient solution.
By providing practical support and affordable housing, we are eradicating family homelessness in Columbia and helping families and children achieve lasting independence. In fact, 96% of families who enter our transitional housing program, St. Lawrence Place, do not return to homelessness.
Is it a fast fix? No. Is it a sustainable, effective model? Yes, it is.
And isn’t it time we try a new strategy, perhaps one that works?
Dr. Lila Anna Sauls is President and CEO of Homeless No More. She has been with Homeless No More and its primary programs Family Shelter, St. Lawrence Place and Live Oak Place for 18 years.
