☆ New SJ budget marks the end of Housing First? Unlikely, say local commentators (3/4)
Image by Wikimedia Commons
Those fed up with San Jose's barrier-free housing approach to homelessness may have noticed: Council may shift all funds from PSH to temporary housing and prevention. But, as contributors Johnny Khamis and Tobin Gilman explain, Housing First is probably stickin' around (particularly via tiny homes). An Opp Now exclusive.
Johnny Khamis, former SJ councilmember:
I've always thought that “Housing First” was a misnomer, and interim housing is a “Housing Now” strategy, not a “Housing Later” strategy. I think this will be faster and more cost-efficient than Permanent Supportive Housing, and I support it very much. While I think a little more should be spent on prevention, San Jose's on the right track in that we need to get these people sheltered and into the system as soon as we can. The longer they stay outside, the higher chance that they're going to suffer, either mentally or physically—so interim shelters are more humane, as well.
Does this mean Housing First is dead? No, I don't think we should (and will) ever stop building housing, and there are many strategies that will improve the speed and cost; but for right now, it's important to get people in shelters as quickly as possible. And temporary shelter is shelter. They're all additions to the housing inventory. They don't take away from existing housing.
Tobin Gilman, former SJ Charter Review commissioner:
I agree with the council’s decision to reallocate Measure E funding from PSH to interim housing and homelessness prevention. However, I don’t see this as a departure from the City’s Housing First strategy.
The housing department and council misleadingly characterizes tiny homes as a form of “interim housing.” They’re not. Tiny home communities are permanent structures. And unlike conventional permanent supportive housing units, tiny homes are built, owned, and operated by the city, using money from the General Fund. The annual operating costs will continue to grow and expand every year for decades to come. We’re talking about hundreds of millions of dollars being pulled from public safety, libraries, and deferred maintenance on parks, roads, and other infrastructure.
I believe the city should redirect money from adding more tiny homes and instead channel it toward more fiscally responsible, cost-effective congregate shelters as Councilmember Doan and D3 candidate Irene Smith have been advocating. I highly recommend city officials and other parties interested in addressing street homelessness read the financial analysis put together by candidate Smith.
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