posted December 7, 2006
Mr. Mayor,
I wholeheartedly agree with you that it is our responsibility as a community to care for the homeless. I do believe it would be very helpful for the City as a whole to understand your plan for the Homeless Campus, and the reasons in support of it as the best solution for caring for the homeless.
With that in mind, I have a few questions:
1. What are the reasons for why a "homeless campus" is the best way for caring for the homeless in Chattanooga?
2. Do you believe that there is something deficient with the numerous organizations currently caring for the homeless in Chattanooga that necessitates a Homeless Campus (as opposed to increased funding and organization)?
3. Does your plan for the Homeless Campus include bringing together those numerous organizations by facilitating collaboration, the sharing of resources, and collective planning?
4. Further, what is the actual plan for the Homeless Campus i.e. what is it specifically going to do, how is it going to function, and why?
It would also be helpful for the public to have the following information:
1. Statistics about the homeless problem in Chattanooga
2. Statistics/analysis/etc. about best practices for caring for the homeless
3. Statistics/analysis/etc. about best practices for caring for the homeless in Chattanooga
4. A clear list of needs of those organizations in Chattanooga who are already working with the homeless
I believe that if the public were given this information it would be very helpful in gathering community support for the Homeless Campus.
Josiah Roe
St. Elmo
* * *
1. What are the reasons for why a "homeless campus" is the best way for caring for the homeless in Chattanooga? Well the term "homeless campus" implies a high-speed network running between all the buildings, an educational environment with lots of activity, which in my mind is not a bad thing. The needs of homeless individuals can be plentiful, especially for men and women who have children. They usually have to travel to and visit several agencies just to get basic needs met and for someone who is trying to transition out of the homeless state the journey can be quit long. Right now we currently have 48 agencies to assist the homeless within the MLK district—48 in only one district, where do we stop. We believe by having representation from all of the agencies that service the homeless population under one roof can only improve their network system and ability to interface with the homeless.
2. Do you believe that there is something deficient with the numerous organizations currently caring for the homeless in Chattanooga that necessitates a Homeless Campus (as opposed to increased funding and organization)? Yes, but it is not their fault. We have done a great job creating agencies to service the needs of the homeless population, but we have to look at our deficiencies to make it better. Increased funding is not always the answer, these people want help and we need to be able to expedite that help in an organized and efficient manner. The blueprint that many cities are looking at with great enthusiasm because of its overwhelming success in decreasing the homeless population is one that supports consolidation. U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) Executive Director, Philip Mangano’s report explains why all cities need to consolidate their efforts and offer their homeless population a one-stop service center. Now, we need to rely on expert advice and look at models like Mangano’s Project Homeless Connect that have a proven record and high success rate. More information about the National Project Homeless Connect can be found online at www.usich.gov. Our city has plenty of success stories that have never been told, showing how important local agencies like the Gospel Mission, Chattanooga Community Kitchen, Chattanooga Homeless Coalition and so many others are in restoring lives. The movie, The Pursuit of Happyness starring Will Smith, opens nationwide December 15th it will show why we need to help America’s homeless — it is just what America does best. Local theatres like Carmike Cinema’s The Bijou is expecting sold out shows.
3. Does your plan for the Homeless Campus include bringing together those numerous organizations by facilitating collaboration, the sharing of resources, and collective planning? Yes, this is where we get to learn from the experts. We have to listen to the men and women who work with the homeless population everyday to see what their needs are. They want to work together and share information to better assist the homeless, which compliments our plan to do an ongoing series of cross training classes internally and externally. On Tuesday, December 12th we will hold an information session for service providers with a charette to follow. Our first charette was in November, which was open to the public—it was very successful and well attended. We plan to have a series of charettes that will address all of the issues associated with the development of the CCRC. It is an excellent opportunity for us to learn how we can further improve our plan with public input. We are receiving a tremendous amount of support from the public and we believe it will only continue because people really want to help. They can learn more about the CCRC or how to get involved by visiting our website (www.ChattanoogaCRC.org
4. Further, what is the actual plan for the Homeless Campus i.e. what is it specifically going to do, how is it going to function, and why? To create a network within an established and safe environment that allows homeless individuals and families to go to and have all of their needs met and be treated with dignity and compassion.
For a copy of Chattanooga’s blueprint on ending chronic homelessness can be found on Chattanooga Homeless Coalition’s website at www.homelesscoalition.org
Mayor Ron Littlefield
| Dining Out | Business | Movies | Focus | About Us |
| Church | Living Well | Memories | Outdoors | Real Estate | Student Scene | Travel |
