Last Friday, the US Supreme Court ruled that cities and towns can punish people for sleeping in public places (City of Grants Pass, Oregon vs. Johnson).
On its face, cities won, and homeless folks lost.
In reality, though, the cities also lost… They just don’t realize it yet.
The case highlights the fact that most people don’t understand what causes homelessness.
WRONG
Cause: Some people are too lazy to afford an apartment.
Solution: Punish the lazy people so they stop being lazy.
This analysis is seductive because it is very easy to understand.
It is also wrong.
CORRECT
Reality is—unfortunately—a little more complicated:
Cause:
Part 1: The cost of housing has risen faster than wages.
Part 2: As a result, the lowest wage-earners are incapable of earning enough money to afford even the cheapest apartment.
Part 3: The lowest wage-earners cannot earn enough because of a combination of three inter-related factors:
1. Systemic problems – poor education, racism, etc.
2. Cognitive disabilities – schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, PTSD, traumatic brain injury, etc.
3. Their family is unable to subsidize them – I know several wealthy families whose children have schizophrenia. The parents subsidize their adult child’s treatment and housing to keep them from becoming homeless. Poor families are unable to do that, so their children become homeless.
Solution: Bring down the cost of housing so that even people with low earning capacity can afford a simple apartment. Some people will also need subsidized mental health care.
What’s my point?
It is a LOT easier to blame lazy people than to try to understand the interplay between housing markets, mental health and family wealth dynamics.
The Supreme Court’s decision to allow cities to punish people for sleeping outside will not solve any of the cities’ problems with homelessness. It is based on a simple (but wrong) understanding of homelessness.
The good news
We absolutely CAN end homelessness.
The first step is to accept that our current approach is simply wrong.
Peace,
Ryan
P.S. We’re super excited about our live training this month which will be an interview with Gregg Colburn, co-author of the book Homelessness is a Housing Problem. Members and nonmembers are invited!
