By Jennifer Paradis
Homelessness
Jennifer Paradis
The country often looks to California for examples on how not to address homelessness. California is home to over 115,000 people experiencing homelessness – more than 30 percent of the homeless population in the US. This crisis is further aggravated as over 50 percent of those experiencing homelessness are unsheltered, leading to encampments that align with our visions of refugee camps in conflict zones.
These unfortunate circumstances did not happen overnight. Rather, decades of failed economic policy and the lack of leadership to develop enough affordable housing have led to what UN officials called in 2018, “cruel and inhuman treatment…a violation of multiple human rights, including rights to life, housing, health, water and sanitation.”
Over decades, government officials in California have preferred short-term strategies over permanent solutions. Most popular among these has been the criminalization of homelessness, including bans on camping, loitering and frequent clearing of encampments. With nowhere to go (California is also thousands of shelter beds short from meeting the need), the vulnerable take their chances on setting up in a new location until the next raid hits.
This dark history has met current leaders who are prioritizing long-term solutions to homelessness. The recent California Homelessness Needs Assessment called for $8.1 billion every year to address the service need and affordable housing development necessary to stop and relieve the crisis. Gov. Gavin Newsom, in a $22.5 billion deficit year, committed $3.4 billion in his proposed budget. Many are applauding this investment, though homeless advocates worry that it is still too little, too late.
Homelessness is not just a California problem. Though 3,000 miles away; there is minimal difference between California’s and Connecticut’s homeless response over the last several decades. A study completed by the US Government Accountability Office estimated that a $100 increase in median rent was associated in a 9 percent increase in the estimated homelessness rate. On average, Connecticut rents have increased by 12 percent in 2022 and rents have increased by 24 percent since 2017.
Like California, Connecticut has not invested properly in the homeless response system and affordable housing. There is a shortage of at least 86,000 rental homes, affordable and available for extremely low-income renters. With Connecticut having the lowest vacancy rate in the country at 2 percent, many of our neighbors find that locating to another housing option is often prohibitively timely and expensive.
Moreover, there are not enough emergency shelter beds for everyone who needs one. More than 114,000 renter households spend more than half of their income on housing costs. Overall, this has led to an increase in homelessness in our state – up 39 percent this year, putting added pressure on an already overstressed service system.
Why compare our state’s deficits to those Californian nightmares? It is to remind us all that housing systems, regardless of the state, are by design. If left unattended, Connecticut’s homeless and housing response system will continue to fracture under the weight of growing needs. If addressed, like the great commitments California is making today, the benefits are extraordinary.
Immediately, addressing homelessness is a saving to the state. Homelessness costs the state more than $100 million a year as those in need seek expensive systems (like emergency rooms) for assistance. The savings continue with affordable housing development; it is twice as expensive for an individual to be homeless than housed, and five times more expensive for a family. Further addressing and ending homelessness is great economic policy. Housing stability influences employment stability and improves overall well-being, especially for children who are traumatized emotionally, socially and academically when living with housing insecurity or being homeless.
We all contribute to the design of our desired system. Without action, our destiny is known, mirroring the crises of example cities like San Diego, San Francisco and Los Angeles. With the engagement of us all, we can chose to be solution-focused. In this way, we will all benefit.
Jennifer Paradis is the executive director of the Beth-El Center in Milford.
I’m a veteran who stayed at the Homes of The Brave in Bridgeport CT. Most staff treated me ok. The guy on the third floor threatened me constantly (other veteran?) . I served 12 years in military. Rents are crazy high in CT. Maybe the ‘Invisible hand of the Market’ is saying move somewhere else!