Catherine Smith greeted with a smile on Friday when a man approached her in a lobby of the Inland Northwest Center in Sports Valley.
Smith (23) gathered local homeless data and wanted to collect an answer to the survey.
“Please sit down,” said Smith. “Then, I will give you a bus commuter pass instead.”
William Moore, 58, was excited to offer a buspass. Moving the city to access services and resources is one of the daily tasks as a homeless, but he has become even more difficult in the last few months due to the coldness and old leg injury. I talked.
Since Wednesday, Mr. Smith has been investigating the spokane county with about 400 other volunteers, and the counties that have been funded by the federal government are required by the U.S. Housing City Development. We are counting as of the year, which is evaluated. 。
The current tallying results cannot be announced until spring.
The local counts are led by Sportokane City and are supported by local partners such as non -profit organizations, schools, and other local governments. Volunteers are assigned an area in the county, investigating about 20 questions for homeless people and conducting a survey. According to John Clap, a program expert in community, housing, and welfare services, which planned this year’s aggregation, the results will be compiled in the annual report.
“I think it’s a very common misunderstanding that homeless itself exists within a radius of 6 blocks from the downtown of the spokane,” said Clap. “But this is the situation that exists throughout the county.”
Mr. Clap said that in addition to street activities, volunteers have also visited local evacuation shelters, food banks, and partners INWs, and are trying to take full pictures as possible. Homeless experience varies from person to person, such as spending time at evacuation centers, couch surfing, living in a car, with enduring bad weather.
Clap added that the background of the homeless and the issues facing individuals to find a stable house may be significantly different.
According to Clap, many of the survey questions collect necessary population statistics, but other questions are especially individuals so that local organizations can learn how to improve their services and lead to more positive results. He stated that it was trying to grasp the difference in the situation.
“We’re talking about people and those who want more things they want, or what they don’t have now,” said Clap. “Next, ask where you lived before you become a homeless, how many are to prevent people from becoming homeless or to cope with the rapidly occurring homeless. It helps to get ideas when planning and setting.
Mayor Lisa Brown, Mayor of Spokane, who has been participating in the aggregate back to the president of Washington State University of Spokene, learns the issues facing the local community and are faced by people working on homeless and support activities. He said it would be an opportunity. they.
Brown said that personal interaction with the community is a favorite aspect of the annual event.
“It’s very helpful to realize that many people who don’t have a residence have gained multiple experiences that have led themselves to the current location,” said Brown. “And if we can meet them where they are, we can start supporting the road to stability.”
Late in the morning on Friday, Moore shared what Moore sit with Smith and believe that it would help find stability after going back and forth in a homeless life for decades for decades.
Moore said that his homeless life has been going on for more than 10 years, staying in a shelter or couch as much as possible. He said that his finances are one of his biggest barriers, he has a family in the area, but he can’t help to the extent he needs.
Moore has applied for an affordable housing apartment, but has been on the list for months on the order. Moore stopped at the resource center to talk to the case worker who supported him.
He thanked him for his support, but he did not understand why there are no more people who can easily move in. He hopes to increase investment in the “Housing First” model, that is, the approach of the provision of permanent housing rather than giving priority to services.
“I don’t think it should take several months to find a place where homeless people live,” said Moore. “Go to a certain place and say,” I’m homeless, can you stay somewhere? “Is it safe?” “
The National League for the eradication of homelessness states that this model is not effective for everyone, but has increased evidence to succeed. According to the Union, the Federation says that it is more expensive than the shelter model, is effective in preventing individuals from falling into homeless state, and has enough flexibility for anyone. It is done.
Moore said that it could focus on other goals of access to medical care, securing reliable transportation, and finding work. He said that the general public often misunderstands how many hurdles to find stability and how the barriers differ from person to person.
“We don’t have the same ability because we are not all made equally,” said Moore.
Smith plans to write down Moore’s answers to the investigation through smartphone apps and summarize the results of the entire county for analysis. The report is usually announced at the end of spring or early summer.
Mr. Smith is a volunteer of American coordinated admission system specialist, so he spends most of his time to support youth and young people, so directly the situation where local homeless adults are facing. He said he volunteer to know.
She said it might be a tough job, but if he succeeded, it would be incredibly worthwhile.
“We’ve just stayed a couple of couples today and have been watching their journey for a while,” said Smith. “It was a little difficult to work with them, but I’m very proud that they eventually reached them and solved things.”
Smith, which was transplanted in Voyage, has recently graduated from the University of Whiteworth, acquired criminal justice, psychology, and English. She said she aimed to join a law enforcement agency to improve the community, but began to be involved in social work for almost the same reason.
“I wanted to try other things for a while, because I realized that I could help people in various ways, and it was like a journey to find a way.” Smith said. “One of the ways to help social work and those in need are one of the ways.”
Smith said he understood that two population densely populated areas in the western inland and north are well compared between their hometowns and spokane.
She doesn’t believe that Vise is dramatically advanced than a spokane, but the service of the capital of Idaho is more robust, and the city is better in telling individuals that need those services. I believe I’m working.
She listed a web page on the local resources and services of Sportokane as an example of improving communication.
According to Smith, some links to some regional services are listed, but lack the context required to understand and access some services.
“The website has almost no standard as a homeless resource, and it’s very difficult to navigate,” says Smith. “I think you should understand it.”
Mr. Smith is angry and resentful for impairing local initiatives, and those who are angry and angry will spend time to cooperate with homeless and service organizations. He said he should be. She wants to recommend the same for those who believe that being homeless is also a choice, and other negative stereotypes related to the homeless.
She said that the more exposed, the better, the better, the more recognized, and the unreasonable emotions will be revised.
“I always tell people what kind of work I’m doing, but they say” blessing your heart. “” Smith said. “No, please, please bless your heart. Please sympathize. Go outside and volunteer.”
