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Wheeler proposes $27M for sanctioned camping sites for homeless
by KATU Staff Thursday, November 10th 2022 (KATU) PORTLAND, Ore. — Mayor Ted Wheeler has proposed a $27 million “down payment” from the city budget to help build six new designated camping sites. Last week the City Council approved policies to create six designated camping sites and phase-in a citywide ban on unsanctioned camping. The mayor’s proposal includes nearly $4.2 million for costs directly related to building three of the camps, $12.8 million to cover operational costs for one year, including provider staff salaries and benefits, and $3.5 million for a 50-person city-employee navigation team to connect with individuals experiencing homelessness. "It is no surprise that this work requires a considerable amount of funding," Wheeler said during a City Council meeting Thursday. "I will continue to ask our federal partners, our governor elect, our leaders within the Metro Regional Government, and the incoming Multnomah County chair to partner with us and to provide the services and resources needed to do the hard work ahead of us." The mayor said that the $27 million is about half of the total the city will need to accomplish its goals for the homeless population. Here’s the full breakdown of the mayor’s proposal as released by his office on Thursday:
- $150,000 to conduct a public land evaluation for affordable housing as well as an assessment of local regulations on housing costs and production.
- $3.5 million for fifty-person city-employee Navigation Team to increase connection with individuals experiencing homelessness and available services. Funding for remainder of fiscal year.
- $4,188,600 for capital costs for three designated camping sites as well as site preparation and construction costs.
- $12,845,750 for operational costs for three designated camping sites for one year, including provider staff salaries and benefits. Funding for remainder of fiscal year.
- $750,000 to secure private security contracts for surrounding neighborhoods and business districts of designated camping locations.
- $550,000 to maintain and enhance homeless related services.
- $1,500,000 to expand staff capacity for the City Incident Command team operational structure to systematize increased management, oversight, and strategy related to homeless services. Funding for remainder of fiscal year.
- $3,891,164 for the Impact Reduction Program to continue operating at their current level of service through the year.
-- -- Tim McCormick
Housing Alternatives Network +1 503.334.1894.
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As usual, there will be no indication that anyone who is paid to "work" at these internment camps will have proper qualifications to do so. At the Multnomah Safe Rest Village (MSRV), according to a 'case worker' I spoke to from there, neither she nor anyone in management there has qualifications to be case workers. She actually told me that she'd like me to tell what she should be doing because "I know more than she does" about how to help unhoused people. The case at hand for which I was in touch with her, had to do with a stalker at the MSRV who is endangering the well-being of a woman who also lives there whom I've known for years. Yes, Wheeler, Ryan, Adams, all of them at the city know about this because I've written to them about it. No one is helping my friend. One of the case workers at the MSRV told my friend that she should write a letter to her stalker telling him that if he gets thrown out for being a stalker, it wasn't her fault. Yes, this happened. What were that case worker's qualifications? He was once homeless. This is a big fucking problem. And again, the city knows and doesn't care. All Good Multnomah doesn't care. Do Good Multnomah doesn't care. (Did you know that the men of those two orgs were never vetted for sex abuse or domestic violence or other crimes and yet they work closely with women? )
Imagine what will happen to women at these internments camps. Rape. Stalking. Forced prostitution. And who the hell is going to do anything to prevent this? I don't see one dollar going towards anything remotely real in protecting women from many of the men at these camps. The MSRV has only 18 or so residents and it can't prevent it. The city knows and it WON'T prevent it. These camps will be hell for women. Does anyone care? Nope. This is going to be run by a bunch of men who have shown their complete disregard for the well-being and safety of women.
My friend, the one being stalked at the MSRV, has left the MSRV to choose to live on the streets because her camp on the street is safer for her than the MSRV. How's that for a statement? And it's the truth. By the way, if anyone reading this want to help me with this situation, please email me.
Do not for one second, believe the lies that Wheeler/Adams/Ryan/Mapps and the new fascist, Gonzales, are going to tell you. You can't throw money at the houseless situation. 27 million could house a lot of people. That's what it should be used for.
I am angry, furious, and scared to death for what will become of women at these camps, not to mention anyone and everyone in the BIPOC and LGBTQIA communities.
Let's talk.
Mimi
Wheeler proposes $27M for sanctioned camping sites for homeless
by KATU Staff Thursday, November 10th 2022 (KATU) PORTLAND, Ore. — Mayor Ted Wheeler has proposed a $27 million “down payment” from the city budget to help build six new designated camping sites. Last week the City Council approved policies to create six designated camping sites and phase-in a citywide ban on unsanctioned camping. The mayor’s proposal includes nearly $4.2 million for costs directly related to building three of the camps, $12.8 million to cover operational costs for one year, including provider staff salaries and benefits, and $3.5 million for a 50-person city-employee navigation team to connect with individuals experiencing homelessness. "It is no surprise that this work requires a considerable amount of funding," Wheeler said during a City Council meeting Thursday. "I will continue to ask our federal partners, our governor elect, our leaders within the Metro Regional Government, and the incoming Multnomah County chair to partner with us and to provide the services and resources needed to do the hard work ahead of us." The mayor said that the $27 million is about half of the total the city will need to accomplish its goals for the homeless population. Here’s the full breakdown of the mayor’s proposal as released by his office on Thursday:
- $150,000 to conduct a public land evaluation for affordable housing as well as an assessment of local regulations on housing costs and production.
- $3.5 million for fifty-person city-employee Navigation Team to increase connection with individuals experiencing homelessness and available services. Funding for remainder of fiscal year.
- $4,188,600 for capital costs for three designated camping sites as well as site preparation and construction costs.
- $12,845,750 for operational costs for three designated camping sites for one year, including provider staff salaries and benefits. Funding for remainder of fiscal year.
- $750,000 to secure private security contracts for surrounding neighborhoods and business districts of designated camping locations.
- $550,000 to maintain and enhance homeless related services.
- $1,500,000 to expand staff capacity for the City Incident Command team operational structure to systematize increased management, oversight, and strategy related to homeless services. Funding for remainder of fiscal year.
- $3,891,164 for the Impact Reduction Program to continue operating at their current level of service through the year.
-- Tim McCormick
Housing Alternatives Network +1 503.334.1894.
|
|
|
Thanks Mimi. When Sam pitched this idea last year I thought it was the result of somewhat innocent/thoughtless brainstorming heavily influenced by property and business interests - as most city hall thinking is - and that common sense would wash it away. I was wrong. It's dangerous and needs disruption.
Our organization is starting to work on a response in opposition to the city plan. But I want to comment on two items you point out, workforce and crime.
We're in a workforce crisis nationwide and harder hit here in Oregon for capable people - licensed or not - to provide services for people with mental illness, addiction, trauma, or who are homeless. No longer can any agency hire someone without prior or immediate training with a, "oh my brother was an alcoholic - I know all about that," nonsense. Hiring people whether it's the planned private security or navigators requires $25+, health insurance, quality management, fair working conditions, future prospects, quality assurance, extensive practical training and coaching, etc. Very hard. Expect a high turnover - like 200-300% per year, which is a huge cost in itself.
Speaking from extensive experience in managing public housing for people exiting homeless 20+ years ago, minor annoying crime is a constant issue for management - drug dealing, theft, extortion, loan sharking, prostitution, assault, harrassment, threats - all sorts. Women were far more victimized than men. My experience was with people who were leaving homelessness but old behaviors, especially coupled with poor impulse control often cause people to act up and hurt others. The dilemma is - does the manager let the cops sort it out or is the crime an opportunity for discussion, growth, mediation, apologies? Sometimes yes and sometimes no, but that decision - yes or no - makes the manager very powerful in the eyes of the tenants, and that power is inappropriate and needs to be redistributed. That redistribution can come in the form of tenant councils, but needs to satisfy a couple of conditions. 1. the victim needs to be acknowledged, made safe, given justice in their eyes. 2. the crime needs to stop for the safety of others. The easy way is to expel / evict the perpetrator. That's in part unsatisfying because it leaves the perpetrators outside and likely to re-offend against someone else.
So I don't have answers here - but just some thoughts to underscore how complicated this work is, and maybe how cavalier the Adams / Wheeler plan appears at this early state.
I'd appreciate your thoughts.
As usual, there will be no indication that anyone who is paid to "work" at these internment camps will have proper qualifications to do so. At the Multnomah Safe Rest Village (MSRV), according to a 'case worker' I spoke to from there, neither she nor anyone in management there has qualifications to be case workers. She actually told me that she'd like me to tell what she should be doing because "I know more than she does" about how to help unhoused people. The case at hand for which I was in touch with her, had to do with a stalker at the MSRV who is endangering the well-being of a woman who also lives there whom I've known for years. Yes, Wheeler, Ryan, Adams, all of them at the city know about this because I've written to them about it. No one is helping my friend. One of the case workers at the MSRV told my friend that she should write a letter to her stalker telling him that if he gets thrown out for being a stalker, it wasn't her fault. Yes, this happened. What were that case worker's qualifications? He was once homeless. This is a big fucking problem. And again, the city knows and doesn't care. All Good Multnomah doesn't care. Do Good Multnomah doesn't care. (Did you know that the men of those two orgs were never vetted for sex abuse or domestic violence or other crimes and yet they work closely with women? )
Imagine what will happen to women at these internments camps. Rape. Stalking. Forced prostitution. And who the hell is going to do anything to prevent this? I don't see one dollar going towards anything remotely real in protecting women from many of the men at these camps. The MSRV has only 18 or so residents and it can't prevent it. The city knows and it WON'T prevent it. These camps will be hell for women. Does anyone care? Nope. This is going to be run by a bunch of men who have shown their complete disregard for the well-being and safety of women.
My friend, the one being stalked at the MSRV, has left the MSRV to choose to live on the streets because her camp on the street is safer for her than the MSRV. How's that for a statement? And it's the truth. By the way, if anyone reading this want to help me with this situation, please email me.
Do not for one second, believe the lies that Wheeler/Adams/Ryan/Mapps and the new fascist, Gonzales, are going to tell you. You can't throw money at the houseless situation. 27 million could house a lot of people. That's what it should be used for.
I am angry, furious, and scared to death for what will become of women at these camps, not to mention anyone and everyone in the BIPOC and LGBTQIA communities.
Let's talk.
Mimi
Wheeler proposes $27M for sanctioned camping sites for homeless
by KATU Staff Thursday, November 10th 2022 (KATU) PORTLAND, Ore. — Mayor Ted Wheeler has proposed a $27 million “down payment” from the city budget to help build six new designated camping sites. Last week the City Council approved policies to create six designated camping sites and phase-in a citywide ban on unsanctioned camping. The mayor’s proposal includes nearly $4.2 million for costs directly related to building three of the camps, $12.8 million to cover operational costs for one year, including provider staff salaries and benefits, and $3.5 million for a 50-person city-employee navigation team to connect with individuals experiencing homelessness. "It is no surprise that this work requires a considerable amount of funding," Wheeler said during a City Council meeting Thursday. "I will continue to ask our federal partners, our governor elect, our leaders within the Metro Regional Government, and the incoming Multnomah County chair to partner with us and to provide the services and resources needed to do the hard work ahead of us." The mayor said that the $27 million is about half of the total the city will need to accomplish its goals for the homeless population. Here’s the full breakdown of the mayor’s proposal as released by his office on Thursday:
- $150,000 to conduct a public land evaluation for affordable housing as well as an assessment of local regulations on housing costs and production.
- $3.5 million for fifty-person city-employee Navigation Team to increase connection with individuals experiencing homelessness and available services. Funding for remainder of fiscal year.
- $4,188,600 for capital costs for three designated camping sites as well as site preparation and construction costs.
- $12,845,750 for operational costs for three designated camping sites for one year, including provider staff salaries and benefits. Funding for remainder of fiscal year.
- $750,000 to secure private security contracts for surrounding neighborhoods and business districts of designated camping locations.
- $550,000 to maintain and enhance homeless related services.
- $1,500,000 to expand staff capacity for the City Incident Command team operational structure to systematize increased management, oversight, and strategy related to homeless services. Funding for remainder of fiscal year.
- $3,891,164 for the Impact Reduction Program to continue operating at their current level of service through the year.
-- Tim McCormick
Housing Alternatives Network +1 503.334.1894.
|
|
|
Jason, thanks for the reply. I'm not talking about petty crime. I'm talking about sex abuse, rape, forced prostitution and the crime of having someone who is not qualified in any way, giving advice to someone who's life is in danger. The fact that MSRV has no qualified 'case workers' is terrifying. The fact that there are no background checks for serious crime/DV assaults/sex assaults from the employees of Do Good or All Good, is appalling. Again, not talking about petty crimes. No one should be giving advice to women who are abused and living on the streets who are unqualified to do so. Especially when they're getting paid by a city contractor.
On Sat, Nov 12, 2022 at 9:33 AM Jason Renaud < info@...> wrote: Thanks Mimi. When Sam pitched this idea last year I thought it was the result of somewhat innocent/thoughtless brainstorming heavily influenced by property and business interests - as most city hall thinking is - and that common sense would wash it away. I was wrong. It's dangerous and needs disruption.
Our organization is starting to work on a response in opposition to the city plan. But I want to comment on two items you point out, workforce and crime.
We're in a workforce crisis nationwide and harder hit here in Oregon for capable people - licensed or not - to provide services for people with mental illness, addiction, trauma, or who are homeless. No longer can any agency hire someone without prior or immediate training with a, "oh my brother was an alcoholic - I know all about that," nonsense. Hiring people whether it's the planned private security or navigators requires $25+, health insurance, quality management, fair working conditions, future prospects, quality assurance, extensive practical training and coaching, etc. Very hard. Expect a high turnover - like 200-300% per year, which is a huge cost in itself.
Speaking from extensive experience in managing public housing for people exiting homeless 20+ years ago, minor annoying crime is a constant issue for management - drug dealing, theft, extortion, loan sharking, prostitution, assault, harrassment, threats - all sorts. Women were far more victimized than men. My experience was with people who were leaving homelessness but old behaviors, especially coupled with poor impulse control often cause people to act up and hurt others. The dilemma is - does the manager let the cops sort it out or is the crime an opportunity for discussion, growth, mediation, apologies? Sometimes yes and sometimes no, but that decision - yes or no - makes the manager very powerful in the eyes of the tenants, and that power is inappropriate and needs to be redistributed. That redistribution can come in the form of tenant councils, but needs to satisfy a couple of conditions. 1. the victim needs to be acknowledged, made safe, given justice in their eyes. 2. the crime needs to stop for the safety of others. The easy way is to expel / evict the perpetrator. That's in part unsatisfying because it leaves the perpetrators outside and likely to re-offend against someone else.
So I don't have answers here - but just some thoughts to underscore how complicated this work is, and maybe how cavalier the Adams / Wheeler plan appears at this early state.
I'd appreciate your thoughts.
As usual, there will be no indication that anyone who is paid to "work" at these internment camps will have proper qualifications to do so. At the Multnomah Safe Rest Village (MSRV), according to a 'case worker' I spoke to from there, neither she nor anyone in management there has qualifications to be case workers. She actually told me that she'd like me to tell what she should be doing because "I know more than she does" about how to help unhoused people. The case at hand for which I was in touch with her, had to do with a stalker at the MSRV who is endangering the well-being of a woman who also lives there whom I've known for years. Yes, Wheeler, Ryan, Adams, all of them at the city know about this because I've written to them about it. No one is helping my friend. One of the case workers at the MSRV told my friend that she should write a letter to her stalker telling him that if he gets thrown out for being a stalker, it wasn't her fault. Yes, this happened. What were that case worker's qualifications? He was once homeless. This is a big fucking problem. And again, the city knows and doesn't care. All Good Multnomah doesn't care. Do Good Multnomah doesn't care. (Did you know that the men of those two orgs were never vetted for sex abuse or domestic violence or other crimes and yet they work closely with women? )
Imagine what will happen to women at these internments camps. Rape. Stalking. Forced prostitution. And who the hell is going to do anything to prevent this? I don't see one dollar going towards anything remotely real in protecting women from many of the men at these camps. The MSRV has only 18 or so residents and it can't prevent it. The city knows and it WON'T prevent it. These camps will be hell for women. Does anyone care? Nope. This is going to be run by a bunch of men who have shown their complete disregard for the well-being and safety of women.
My friend, the one being stalked at the MSRV, has left the MSRV to choose to live on the streets because her camp on the street is safer for her than the MSRV. How's that for a statement? And it's the truth. By the way, if anyone reading this want to help me with this situation, please email me.
Do not for one second, believe the lies that Wheeler/Adams/Ryan/Mapps and the new fascist, Gonzales, are going to tell you. You can't throw money at the houseless situation. 27 million could house a lot of people. That's what it should be used for.
I am angry, furious, and scared to death for what will become of women at these camps, not to mention anyone and everyone in the BIPOC and LGBTQIA communities.
Let's talk.
Mimi
Wheeler proposes $27M for sanctioned camping sites for homeless
by KATU Staff Thursday, November 10th 2022 (KATU) PORTLAND, Ore. — Mayor Ted Wheeler has proposed a $27 million “down payment” from the city budget to help build six new designated camping sites. Last week the City Council approved policies to create six designated camping sites and phase-in a citywide ban on unsanctioned camping. The mayor’s proposal includes nearly $4.2 million for costs directly related to building three of the camps, $12.8 million to cover operational costs for one year, including provider staff salaries and benefits, and $3.5 million for a 50-person city-employee navigation team to connect with individuals experiencing homelessness. "It is no surprise that this work requires a considerable amount of funding," Wheeler said during a City Council meeting Thursday. "I will continue to ask our federal partners, our governor elect, our leaders within the Metro Regional Government, and the incoming Multnomah County chair to partner with us and to provide the services and resources needed to do the hard work ahead of us." The mayor said that the $27 million is about half of the total the city will need to accomplish its goals for the homeless population. Here’s the full breakdown of the mayor’s proposal as released by his office on Thursday:
- $150,000 to conduct a public land evaluation for affordable housing as well as an assessment of local regulations on housing costs and production.
- $3.5 million for fifty-person city-employee Navigation Team to increase connection with individuals experiencing homelessness and available services. Funding for remainder of fiscal year.
- $4,188,600 for capital costs for three designated camping sites as well as site preparation and construction costs.
- $12,845,750 for operational costs for three designated camping sites for one year, including provider staff salaries and benefits. Funding for remainder of fiscal year.
- $750,000 to secure private security contracts for surrounding neighborhoods and business districts of designated camping locations.
- $550,000 to maintain and enhance homeless related services.
- $1,500,000 to expand staff capacity for the City Incident Command team operational structure to systematize increased management, oversight, and strategy related to homeless services. Funding for remainder of fiscal year.
- $3,891,164 for the Impact Reduction Program to continue operating at their current level of service through the year.
-- Tim McCormick
Housing Alternatives Network +1 503.334.1894.
|
|
|
Jason and Mimi,
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise. How do we disrupt this dangerous plan?
Dr. Aisha Y. Musa AYM Education and Consulting
On Sat, Nov 12, 2022 at 9:33 AM Jason Renaud < info@...> wrote: Thanks Mimi. When Sam pitched this idea last year I thought it was the result of somewhat innocent/thoughtless brainstorming heavily influenced by property and business interests - as most city hall thinking is - and that common sense would wash it away. I was wrong. It's dangerous and needs disruption.
Our organization is starting to work on a response in opposition to the city plan. But I want to comment on two items you point out, workforce and crime.
We're in a workforce crisis nationwide and harder hit here in Oregon for capable people - licensed or not - to provide services for people with mental illness, addiction, trauma, or who are homeless. No longer can any agency hire someone without prior or immediate training with a, "oh my brother was an alcoholic - I know all about that," nonsense. Hiring people whether it's the planned private security or navigators requires $25+, health insurance, quality management, fair working conditions, future prospects, quality assurance, extensive practical training and coaching, etc. Very hard. Expect a high turnover - like 200-300% per year, which is a huge cost in itself.
Speaking from extensive experience in managing public housing for people exiting homeless 20+ years ago, minor annoying crime is a constant issue for management - drug dealing, theft, extortion, loan sharking, prostitution, assault, harrassment, threats - all sorts. Women were far more victimized than men. My experience was with people who were leaving homelessness but old behaviors, especially coupled with poor impulse control often cause people to act up and hurt others. The dilemma is - does the manager let the cops sort it out or is the crime an opportunity for discussion, growth, mediation, apologies? Sometimes yes and sometimes no, but that decision - yes or no - makes the manager very powerful in the eyes of the tenants, and that power is inappropriate and needs to be redistributed. That redistribution can come in the form of tenant councils, but needs to satisfy a couple of conditions. 1. the victim needs to be acknowledged, made safe, given justice in their eyes. 2. the crime needs to stop for the safety of others. The easy way is to expel / evict the perpetrator. That's in part unsatisfying because it leaves the perpetrators outside and likely to re-offend against someone else.
So I don't have answers here - but just some thoughts to underscore how complicated this work is, and maybe how cavalier the Adams / Wheeler plan appears at this early state.
I'd appreciate your thoughts.
As usual, there will be no indication that anyone who is paid to "work" at these internment camps will have proper qualifications to do so. At the Multnomah Safe Rest Village (MSRV), according to a 'case worker' I spoke to from there, neither she nor anyone in management there has qualifications to be case workers. She actually told me that she'd like me to tell what she should be doing because "I know more than she does" about how to help unhoused people. The case at hand for which I was in touch with her, had to do with a stalker at the MSRV who is endangering the well-being of a woman who also lives there whom I've known for years. Yes, Wheeler, Ryan, Adams, all of them at the city know about this because I've written to them about it. No one is helping my friend. One of the case workers at the MSRV told my friend that she should write a letter to her stalker telling him that if he gets thrown out for being a stalker, it wasn't her fault. Yes, this happened. What were that case worker's qualifications? He was once homeless. This is a big fucking problem. And again, the city knows and doesn't care. All Good Multnomah doesn't care. Do Good Multnomah doesn't care. (Did you know that the men of those two orgs were never vetted for sex abuse or domestic violence or other crimes and yet they work closely with women? )
Imagine what will happen to women at these internments camps. Rape. Stalking. Forced prostitution. And who the hell is going to do anything to prevent this? I don't see one dollar going towards anything remotely real in protecting women from many of the men at these camps. The MSRV has only 18 or so residents and it can't prevent it. The city knows and it WON'T prevent it. These camps will be hell for women. Does anyone care? Nope. This is going to be run by a bunch of men who have shown their complete disregard for the well-being and safety of women.
My friend, the one being stalked at the MSRV, has left the MSRV to choose to live on the streets because her camp on the street is safer for her than the MSRV. How's that for a statement? And it's the truth. By the way, if anyone reading this want to help me with this situation, please email me.
Do not for one second, believe the lies that Wheeler/Adams/Ryan/Mapps and the new fascist, Gonzales, are going to tell you. You can't throw money at the houseless situation. 27 million could house a lot of people. That's what it should be used for.
I am angry, furious, and scared to death for what will become of women at these camps, not to mention anyone and everyone in the BIPOC and LGBTQIA communities.
Let's talk.
Mimi
Wheeler proposes $27M for sanctioned camping sites for homeless
by KATU Staff Thursday, November 10th 2022 (KATU) PORTLAND, Ore. — Mayor Ted Wheeler has proposed a $27 million “down payment” from the city budget to help build six new designated camping sites. Last week the City Council approved policies to create six designated camping sites and phase-in a citywide ban on unsanctioned camping. The mayor’s proposal includes nearly $4.2 million for costs directly related to building three of the camps, $12.8 million to cover operational costs for one year, including provider staff salaries and benefits, and $3.5 million for a 50-person city-employee navigation team to connect with individuals experiencing homelessness. "It is no surprise that this work requires a considerable amount of funding," Wheeler said during a City Council meeting Thursday. "I will continue to ask our federal partners, our governor elect, our leaders within the Metro Regional Government, and the incoming Multnomah County chair to partner with us and to provide the services and resources needed to do the hard work ahead of us." The mayor said that the $27 million is about half of the total the city will need to accomplish its goals for the homeless population. Here’s the full breakdown of the mayor’s proposal as released by his office on Thursday:
- $150,000 to conduct a public land evaluation for affordable housing as well as an assessment of local regulations on housing costs and production.
- $3.5 million for fifty-person city-employee Navigation Team to increase connection with individuals experiencing homelessness and available services. Funding for remainder of fiscal year.
- $4,188,600 for capital costs for three designated camping sites as well as site preparation and construction costs.
- $12,845,750 for operational costs for three designated camping sites for one year, including provider staff salaries and benefits. Funding for remainder of fiscal year.
- $750,000 to secure private security contracts for surrounding neighborhoods and business districts of designated camping locations.
- $550,000 to maintain and enhance homeless related services.
- $1,500,000 to expand staff capacity for the City Incident Command team operational structure to systematize increased management, oversight, and strategy related to homeless services. Funding for remainder of fiscal year.
- $3,891,164 for the Impact Reduction Program to continue operating at their current level of service through the year.
-- Tim McCormick
Housing Alternatives Network +1 503.334.1894.
|
|
|
Would someone mind letting me if my response to Jason is here on the email thread? I had a notice it wasn't submitted. Thanks! ---- Jason,
thanks for the reply. I'm not talking about petty crime. I'm talking
about sex abuse, rape, forced prostitution and the crime of having
someone who is not qualified in any way, giving advice to someone who's
life is in danger. The fact that MSRV has no qualified 'case workers' is
terrifying. The fact that there are no background checks for serious
crime/DV assaults/sex assaults from the employees of Do Good or All
Good, is appalling. Again, not talking about petty crimes. No one should
be giving advice to women who are abused and living on the streets who
are unqualified to do so. Especially when they're getting paid by a city
contractor.
On Sat, Nov 12, 2022 at 11:16 AM Aisha Musa < draymusa@...> wrote: Jason and Mimi,
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise. How do we disrupt this dangerous plan?
Dr. Aisha Y. Musa AYM Education and Consulting
On Sat, Nov 12, 2022 at 9:33 AM Jason Renaud < info@...> wrote: Thanks Mimi. When Sam pitched this idea last year I thought it was the result of somewhat innocent/thoughtless brainstorming heavily influenced by property and business interests - as most city hall thinking is - and that common sense would wash it away. I was wrong. It's dangerous and needs disruption.
Our organization is starting to work on a response in opposition to the city plan. But I want to comment on two items you point out, workforce and crime.
We're in a workforce crisis nationwide and harder hit here in Oregon for capable people - licensed or not - to provide services for people with mental illness, addiction, trauma, or who are homeless. No longer can any agency hire someone without prior or immediate training with a, "oh my brother was an alcoholic - I know all about that," nonsense. Hiring people whether it's the planned private security or navigators requires $25+, health insurance, quality management, fair working conditions, future prospects, quality assurance, extensive practical training and coaching, etc. Very hard. Expect a high turnover - like 200-300% per year, which is a huge cost in itself.
Speaking from extensive experience in managing public housing for people exiting homeless 20+ years ago, minor annoying crime is a constant issue for management - drug dealing, theft, extortion, loan sharking, prostitution, assault, harrassment, threats - all sorts. Women were far more victimized than men. My experience was with people who were leaving homelessness but old behaviors, especially coupled with poor impulse control often cause people to act up and hurt others. The dilemma is - does the manager let the cops sort it out or is the crime an opportunity for discussion, growth, mediation, apologies? Sometimes yes and sometimes no, but that decision - yes or no - makes the manager very powerful in the eyes of the tenants, and that power is inappropriate and needs to be redistributed. That redistribution can come in the form of tenant councils, but needs to satisfy a couple of conditions. 1. the victim needs to be acknowledged, made safe, given justice in their eyes. 2. the crime needs to stop for the safety of others. The easy way is to expel / evict the perpetrator. That's in part unsatisfying because it leaves the perpetrators outside and likely to re-offend against someone else.
So I don't have answers here - but just some thoughts to underscore how complicated this work is, and maybe how cavalier the Adams / Wheeler plan appears at this early state.
I'd appreciate your thoughts.
As usual, there will be no indication that anyone who is paid to "work" at these internment camps will have proper qualifications to do so. At the Multnomah Safe Rest Village (MSRV), according to a 'case worker' I spoke to from there, neither she nor anyone in management there has qualifications to be case workers. She actually told me that she'd like me to tell what she should be doing because "I know more than she does" about how to help unhoused people. The case at hand for which I was in touch with her, had to do with a stalker at the MSRV who is endangering the well-being of a woman who also lives there whom I've known for years. Yes, Wheeler, Ryan, Adams, all of them at the city know about this because I've written to them about it. No one is helping my friend. One of the case workers at the MSRV told my friend that she should write a letter to her stalker telling him that if he gets thrown out for being a stalker, it wasn't her fault. Yes, this happened. What were that case worker's qualifications? He was once homeless. This is a big fucking problem. And again, the city knows and doesn't care. All Good Multnomah doesn't care. Do Good Multnomah doesn't care. (Did you know that the men of those two orgs were never vetted for sex abuse or domestic violence or other crimes and yet they work closely with women? )
Imagine what will happen to women at these internments camps. Rape. Stalking. Forced prostitution. And who the hell is going to do anything to prevent this? I don't see one dollar going towards anything remotely real in protecting women from many of the men at these camps. The MSRV has only 18 or so residents and it can't prevent it. The city knows and it WON'T prevent it. These camps will be hell for women. Does anyone care? Nope. This is going to be run by a bunch of men who have shown their complete disregard for the well-being and safety of women.
My friend, the one being stalked at the MSRV, has left the MSRV to choose to live on the streets because her camp on the street is safer for her than the MSRV. How's that for a statement? And it's the truth. By the way, if anyone reading this want to help me with this situation, please email me.
Do not for one second, believe the lies that Wheeler/Adams/Ryan/Mapps and the new fascist, Gonzales, are going to tell you. You can't throw money at the houseless situation. 27 million could house a lot of people. That's what it should be used for.
I am angry, furious, and scared to death for what will become of women at these camps, not to mention anyone and everyone in the BIPOC and LGBTQIA communities.
Let's talk.
Mimi
Wheeler proposes $27M for sanctioned camping sites for homeless
by KATU Staff Thursday, November 10th 2022 (KATU) PORTLAND, Ore. — Mayor Ted Wheeler has proposed a $27 million “down payment” from the city budget to help build six new designated camping sites. Last week the City Council approved policies to create six designated camping sites and phase-in a citywide ban on unsanctioned camping. The mayor’s proposal includes nearly $4.2 million for costs directly related to building three of the camps, $12.8 million to cover operational costs for one year, including provider staff salaries and benefits, and $3.5 million for a 50-person city-employee navigation team to connect with individuals experiencing homelessness. "It is no surprise that this work requires a considerable amount of funding," Wheeler said during a City Council meeting Thursday. "I will continue to ask our federal partners, our governor elect, our leaders within the Metro Regional Government, and the incoming Multnomah County chair to partner with us and to provide the services and resources needed to do the hard work ahead of us." The mayor said that the $27 million is about half of the total the city will need to accomplish its goals for the homeless population. Here’s the full breakdown of the mayor’s proposal as released by his office on Thursday:
- $150,000 to conduct a public land evaluation for affordable housing as well as an assessment of local regulations on housing costs and production.
- $3.5 million for fifty-person city-employee Navigation Team to increase connection with individuals experiencing homelessness and available services. Funding for remainder of fiscal year.
- $4,188,600 for capital costs for three designated camping sites as well as site preparation and construction costs.
- $12,845,750 for operational costs for three designated camping sites for one year, including provider staff salaries and benefits. Funding for remainder of fiscal year.
- $750,000 to secure private security contracts for surrounding neighborhoods and business districts of designated camping locations.
- $550,000 to maintain and enhance homeless related services.
- $1,500,000 to expand staff capacity for the City Incident Command team operational structure to systematize increased management, oversight, and strategy related to homeless services. Funding for remainder of fiscal year.
- $3,891,164 for the Impact Reduction Program to continue operating at their current level of service through the year.
-- Tim McCormick
Housing Alternatives Network +1 503.334.1894.
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I'm with Dr. Musa in asking what's underway to disrupt Wheeler's plan?
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