Columbus needs real plan to address homelessness
The recent decision by city officials to terminate funding for the last of the warming centers for our city’s unsheltered prior to the previously determined deadline is regrettable.
But it may have also been to some degree expected. Our mayor’s current policy in addressing the homeless is to use hundreds of thousands of tax dollars to bulldoze encampments along with police officers needlessly sitting nearby in their cruisers.
And at a time when there is a shortage of police officers patrolling our neighborhoods. City hall elected officials have been passing the buck for decades when it comes to addressing this ever-increasing problem of providing proper housing and care for our unsheltered.
The mayor and city council’s continued knee-jerk reactions while simply passing checks across the desk to nonprofits without any real plan in place lies most of the problem.
The two warming centers located on East Broad Street and in the University District were set up for failure. Some who were familiar with the arrangements that were made questioned the location of the University Districts warming center and that some of the team workers who although had good intentions, were not properly trained to deal with predictable situations that would arise.
There were also complaints that the reimbursement funding model dictated by the Community Shelter Board hamstrung the nonprofits who were providing services. I was also informed that in some instances, thin yoga mats that bared mold were used to sleep on.
As an advocate for our city’s unsheltered and someone who has visited encampments and warming centers, spoken to and assisted their residents, and who learns from professionals what their needs are, I propose a more comprehensive plan that will help address the continuing needs for warming centers and transitional housing.
It includes:
1. The creation of an office of transitional housing that will oversee my “Housing First” initiative.
2. Funding the initiative with federal (HUD), state, county, and city dollars. It will also require the support of corporate sponsorships, our local social and public health agencies, and faith-based organizations and congregations., all working together on truly shared goals for the community as a whole.
3. Constructing tiny home communities consisting of perhaps 20 to 30 units that are 150-square-foot. Each would include a dormitory style refrigerator, wall heaters, cots with mattresses, fire extinguisher, and
storage for clothing and necessities. The community will provide security, hand washing stations, garbage services, bathroom facilities, electricity, a centralized kitchen, potable water, and public health support services.
4. Constructing new and/ or rehabilitated multipleunit dwellings for transitional public housing.
5. Providing those living in encampments, portable toilets and 10-yard dumpsters until residents can be relocated into transitional housing.
6. The city will construct its own warming centers. These facilities will be utilized for other purposes during off months.
7. Contractual agreements will be signed with hotels to lease rooms for short-term transitional housing if needed.
8. Partner with ADAMH to create a 24/7 harm reduction shelter center specifically designated for those who are suffering from substance abuse disorders.
9. The office of transitional housing will also be responsible for administering a municipal ID program.
A record number of evictions were filed in Franklin County in 2022, with almost 21,000 people losing their homes.
That is a 41% increase from 2021 when 13,500 were evicted. In addition, 2,694 students in Franklin County were reported as homeless last year. My Housing First initiative is a humane step in the direction of remaking the city to serve its residents.
Joe Motil is running to be mayor of Columbus.