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Tier 3: Identify one or more specific programs to financially support now. <br /> <br />a. Fund prevention programs. <br />? <br /> <br />Permanent subsidized housing <br />Since 1988, Eugene has focused on “Housing First,” now nationally-recognized as the best <br />practice. This model recognizes that before people can address their addictions or other <br />significant problems, they must first be housed. Homelessness would be hardly a problem in <br />America if people could afford a place to live. <br /> <br />Pro: Both a prevention and a response, depending on the situation; provides long term-benefits. <br />While initially very expensive, over time it is by far the least costly. With minimal supportive <br />services, housing stability improves significantly. <br /> <br />Con: Permanent housing is costly to build or acquire, and has become more challenging to <br />develop. People with psychiatric disabilities or significant barriers will not initially succeed in <br />housing, or be able to pay even minimal rent. Prevention programs may not immediately or <br /> <br />necessarily address needs of the already homeless. <br /> <br />TYPE OF SHELTER COST PER DAY <br />Permanent Housing $1.30 (estimate based on 30 years of use) <br />Emergency housing $133.00 average at Family Housing Program <br />(includes some services) <br />Hospital $600.00 (cheapest possible night at McKenzie <br />Willamette) <br />Lane County Jail $90.00+ <br /> <br />? <br /> <br />One-time emergency payments to avoid evictions <br />Many households fall into homelessness due to a circumstance that could be prevented with a <br />one-time, emergency-assistance payment. <br /> <br />Pro: Providing energy assistance, reflecting the impact of City charges found on EWEB bills, <br />would ease the cost burden for low-income households, and prevent power shut-offs and <br />evictions. Short-term concentrated advocacy and counseling can give families the resources and <br />tools needed to avert future housing crises. <br /> <br />? <br /> <br />Youth and parent/guardian reconciliation <br />Youth may be forced out of the house, or leave against the parents’ wishes to become homeless. <br /> <br />Pro: Reconciliations between youth and their parents/guardians can often resolve the issues that <br />drove them to homelessness. <br /> <br />b. Fund emergency shelter programs. <br /> <br />The only publicly-assisted shelters for adults without children have a limited number of beds that <br />provide some level of treatment. Support services have declined resulting in either increased <br /> <br />selectivity in accepting clients or reduced positive long-term outcomes. Womenspace is the <br />4 <br /> <br />