The newly formed Homelessness Task Force recently released its report, according to an article in the Federal Way Mirror.
Federal Way's mayor, Jim Ferrell, created the task force last year, and directed it to research the causes of homelessness, and how best to resolve the issue.
The first thing the report suggests is that city officials and others working on the issue abandon their preconceived ideas about it, and what causes it. There is no universal solution to the problem, because it has so many dimensions.
The task force studied the impact of homelessness on communities, and how the issue often causes a type of “us versus them” thinking, with people perceiving the homeless as dangerous. The truth is the reverse—homeless people are often victims and, because they are alone, have few ways to protect themselves.
The task force came up with a list of recommendations to begin solving the problem. These include keeping shelters open all year long, so that they become part of a comprehensive system of care; increasing affordable housing; making sure city services are available to all; and reinstalling public phones. Since residents may have some concerns about this, officials could use flyer printing to create an informative newsletter for them.
The task force also says it is vital to meet homeless people “where they are,” rather than placing the burden on them to seek out help they may not know exists.
