The Supreme Court ruled in Grants Pass v. Johnson that cities across the country can implement anti-camping ordinances that carry both civil and criminal penalties. This just gives officials the ability to criminalize people experiencing homelessness instead of investing in solutions. What is one of the largest contributing factors of homelessness? Trauma; which is something that can lead to substance misuse and abuse, mental health struggles, and homelessness.
Invest in solutions, not barriers.
Alaska only has 30 residential substances use disorder (SUD) treatment facilities, and 13 in the Anchorage area. We also only have one public psychiatric hospital. These programs have limited treatment length and beds available and are costly, exacerbating a growing need in an already overcrowded system. Rent and mortgage prices continue to rise each year while adequate affordable housing options dwindle. We need to work with our elected officials to highlight why championing policies that invest in affordable housing, transitional housing, substance misuse treatment and prevention, mental health, and domestic violence prevention and services, are more effective in addressing homelessness. Criminalizing rather than investing will only create further barriers. Shelter saves lives but we need to go beyond to transform lives.
Shawn Hays
Founder & Executive Director