RezoneOKC

I have finally gotten around to completing the series on Homelessness by looking at some innovative solutions being done by nonprofits and local governments in other cities.

East Main Place – Norman, OK

The main reason I became interested in solutions for homelessness was that I heard about Norman’s East Main Place. East Main Place is a transitional housing service that offers a furnished apartment sponsored by “dedicated room sponsors.” Clients are able to live at East Main Place for one year, while working with case workers who help them make lifestyle changes and learn skills so that they can enter the workforce and begin to save money.

Rent at East Main Place is capped at $150 per month, but it is determined on an individual basis. Residents must also save at least $50 per month from their job earnings. When they leave East Main Place, residents take the furniture from the apartment with them to their new housing.

The success rate at East Main Place is really good. According to their website, 91% of residents increase their income over the year, 56% leave with savings, and 74% go into permanent housing. Clearly, the program at East Main Place is working to help homeless people get back on their feet and become productive members of society.

The Mayor’s Homelessness Action Task Force recommended that 1,000 of these Housing First units similar to East Main Place be created in Oklahoma City.

The Bridge - Dallas, TX

The Bridge is a new $24 million facility funded by a public-private partnership. It opened in May 2008  in downtown Dallas and according to the website costs about $1.6 million to run every four months, or about $25 per person per day. The Bridge is similar to the proposed WestTown facility in Oklahoma City in that it combines homeless services into one collaborative effort at one location.

Some of the services offered at the Bridge include assistance in filing for benefits, mental healthcare, housing assistance, mail, job seeking assistance, storage, and even a kennel for pets. The key to the Bridge is that it provides for both emergency care and transitional care. That is, short-term and long-term solutions determined on an individual basis.

The good news is that as I researched what other cities are doing about homelessness, I found that most of the different approaches toward prevention and alleviation are already being implemented or planned in Oklahoma City. Several other cities have implemented programs similar to the Real Change Voucher- Columbus has “Put Your Change Where You Can Make One” and Philadelphia is known for “The More You Give Change, the More Things Stay the Same.”

The work of the Mayor’s Homelessness Action Task Force was thorough and well-reasoned, and hopefully the city and local nonprofits can stay on track toward meeting the suggestions and objectives made by that committee.

Homelessness and Downtown Series
Part 1: Current Initiatives
Part 2: Mayor’s Homelessness Action Task Force
Part 3: Homelessness Solutions Elsewhere