Tucson is in a homelessness crisis . Why is the city wasting money on false solutions ?

Tucson has repeatedly wasted taxpayer money on inefficient and dangerous measures to address homelessness, such as filling underpasses with rocks and conducting sweeps of encampments. These actions, justified as safety improvements, often result in worse outcomes for unhoused individuals and the community. The city s spokesperson, Andy Squire, failed to provide data supporting the safety rationale for these measures. The city s approach contradicts the findings of a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, which concluded that involuntary displacement of homeless individuals leads to increased morbidity, mortality, and shortened life expectancy. Despite acknowledging the need for more social services and shelter, city officials have not provided clear solutions or adequate funding. A 2023 city survey revealed that many unhoused individuals were not receiving the services they needed, with 58% still waiting for housing assessments, and 26% unable to access services. The city could instead invest in humane solutions like outreach, mobile showers, and one-stop shops for immediate needs. To genuinely address homelessness and improve community well-being, Tucson should redirect funds from harmful practices like hostile architecture and camp sweeps to tackle the root causes of the problem. This includes investing in effective models of care and expanding resources for unhoused individuals.

Source: tucsonsentinel.com
Published on 2024-09-19

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