Solution to homelessness: a home is an article in the Christian Science Monitor today that describes an interesting government/private/faith-based partnership to meet the needs of the homeless in San Diego. This is the kind of creative thinking that just might empower people out of poverty.
But over the past few years, cities from coast to coast have begun embracing a new strategy: permanent housing for the homeless with supportive services built in. The Bush administration, which is calling for an end to chronic homelessness – in conjunction with dozens of cities – is supporting the efforts with nearly $600 million in grants for permanent housing.….With an annual budget of $30 million, St. Vincent de Paul Village has 12 psychiatrists along with doctors, dentists, case workers, and drug counselors. Staff members make sure Villa Mandel residents get to their appointments. "We walk them down to the clinic, we walk them to the counselors," Father Carroll says. "What we offer here is decent housing and a decent life."The federal government covers about 25 percent of the complex's expenses; the rest is from private and corporate donations.
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