We can solve this

Could not have said it better myself. I had no idea she was sending this, but AMEN!

From: “Heidi Wegleitner”
Date: Dec 16, 2014 12:39 PM
Subject: We can solve this
To: , Cc: “All Alders” ,

Dear Mayor Soglin and County Executive Parisi:

First, thank you for your significant commitment to affordable housing in the 2015 budget process. I am very proud of our continued collaboration on the Rethke projects for the chronically homeless and look forward to future work together on homelessness, poverty, and equity initiatives. The failure to open a comprehensive day resource center for the second winter in a row, though, is problematic for all of us. Recent incidents at the City County Building have elicited harmful public comments and media coverage of homeless people and further stigmatized those seeking safety and warmth in a public building. Clear signs of mental illness are not being responded to in a clinical fashion, but with misunderstanding and anger. At a time when the City and County are promoting housing first strategies and increased affordable housing commitments, it is incredibly important that we use our voices to humanize the homeless and lead with human rights solutions.

Let’s stop pointing fingers at each other and work together to tackle these problems. The County should stop the court battles with the Town of Madison over the day center — it is a fight not worth winning. The location is bad, the site plan inadequate to meet the needs (especially for families with children), and the operating costs for a non-central comprehensive day center and the Bethel downtown day shelter are unsustainable. The one reason many Board members voted for Martin St. was because it was “the only way we would have a day center by November 1”. Not so. The County should also stop blaming the City for its decision to pursue the Martin St. site. The County knew MARC East had sufficient zoning at the time it voted for approval of the purchase of Martin St. Alder Rummel held off on the new day shelter amendment until after the Board vote to approve Martin St. Regardless, the City’s new day shelter provisions are reasonable, were drafted with the input of homeless advocates, and do not place a significant burden on a day shelter provider. In fact, I think the provisions will be helpful in ensuring a solid shelter management plan and mitigating neighborhood concerns.

As you know, the solutions to the CCB issues include trauma-informed care, harm reduction strategies, permanent supportive housing and an accessible, comprehensive day resource center. Taking the cheap and easy route on the day center has turned out to be neither cheap nor easy. Kicking out all homeless folks from the City County Building, instead of pursuing accountability from the individuals who break the law, will further endanger homeless persons who are already disproportionately victimized. How you use your bully pulpit (or not) makes a huge difference. The community looks to you for solutions and leadership.

These failures are certainly embarrassing for us as elected officials, but it is our unhoused neighbors — struggling to get a shower, a warm meal, and clean clothes and bedding– who suffer the most from this ongoing fiasco. Other communities have modeled how to do this the right way, as recommended by the Homeless Issues Committee, and we know that Madison and Dane County can do better than piecemeal, band-aid approaches. A CCB security guard, which might make some feel more comfortable, is far from an actual solution. Let’s open a comprehensive day resource center, where it belongs, downtown in the heart of city, county, and state government and downtown overnight shelters. Let’s follow the Denver model and co-locate an integrated health clinic, supportive services, and housing first units at an accessible, comprehensive facility. http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_26493985/coalition-homeless-opens-new-health-care-facility-denver And, why not make it a part of a renovated CCB or MMB?

A day center that isn’t accessible to homeless persons residing downtown doesn’t solve either of these problems and it won’t alleviate the challenges experienced by downtown businesses. To be sure, you cannot ban homeless people from downtown public buildings, but you can give them a better place to go.

The homeless advocacy community is ready–very ready– to support you. We can take two embarrassing situations and turn them into a sure positive.

Thank you for your consideration.

Respectfully,

Heidi

P.S. Remember, housing is health care and we can use Medicaid to provide supportive services to the homeless and housing first participants. http://100khomes.org/blog/housing-is-healthcare
—
Heidi M. Wegleitner
Dane County Supervisor-District 2
1941 E. Dayton St., Madison, WI 53704
wegleitner.heidi@countyofdane.com
608-333-3676

Health & Human Needs Committee,Long Term Support Committee (Co-Chair),Homeless Issues Committee (Acting Chair),Human Services Board (Co-Chair), Equal Opportunities Commission, Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee, Poverty Commission