OVERVIEW
To better understand the complexity of the homeless crisis facing our community, in 2021 we interviewed over 150 stakeholders in the community, including executives from nearly every nonprofit delivering homelessness services, city and county staff, business and community leaders, unhoused individuals and residents. In addition, we spoke with many experts from communities across the country who made significant progress towards ending homelessness.
As a comprehensive summary of our research, the Chamber released The State of Our Homelessness Crisis report in September 2021. It highlights a collection of successful endeavors worthy of recognition, along with recommendations for additional actions. The solutions—plural intended—cannot be reduced to a simple “golden ticket.” Nevertheless, we believe there is a light at the end of this tunnel, and we hope to inspire community partners to unite to end homelessness in our community.
As a comprehensive summary of our research, the Chamber released The State of Our Homelessness Crisis report in September 2021. It highlights a collection of successful endeavors worthy of recognition, along with recommendations for additional actions. The solutions—plural intended—cannot be reduced to a simple “golden ticket.” Nevertheless, we believe there is a light at the end of this tunnel, and we hope to inspire community partners to unite to end homelessness in our community.
Our Recommendations
There is broad agreement among partners that a fundamentally different way to approach this issue is needed. It is essential that community stakeholders from all sectors align to more efficiently utilize our limited resources. Until efforts are better united, we cannot achieve success.
The following recommendations, in no particular order, aim to establish homelessness as rare, brief, and non-recurring.
The following recommendations, in no particular order, aim to establish homelessness as rare, brief, and non-recurring.
Quality dataOur current methods and systems for collecting data are inadequate and make it difficult to fully understand the scope of the problem. We need to establish a quality, actionable baseline of data so we can accurately identify solutions.
service provider capacityRestrictive funding sources make it difficult to pay good wages and retain staff. We need to strengthen administrative and programmatic capacity for nonprofit service providers, with reimagined funding strategies.
outreach + case managementBetter coordinated outreach and case management is needed to reduce overlap, use our limited funds more efficiently and make the system easier to navigate for our unhoused population.
enforcement + accountabilityIt’s time to shift our community culture from one of tolerance to one of wellness and accountability. We need to send the message that Eugene is no place for those, housed or unhoused, who want to break the law.
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shared goals + collective impactConvene leaders from across sectors to agree on shared goals and align around strategic actions to end homelessness. We cannot rely on government and nonprofits to solve this crisis, it will take all of us.
emergency shelter + permanent housingWe must prioritize increasing emergency shelter capacity and relentlessly pursue strategies that will make housing more affordable in Lane County if we are going to make progress on ending homelessness.
wrap-around servicesWe need effective ‘wrap-around’ services like mental health and substance abuse support, workforce skills training and employment connections that will help our unhoused achieve sustained wellness.
Rebuild community trustImproving communication, transparency and accountability among all stakeholders, is critically necessary to rebuild community trust and instill a sense of hope for the future.
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taking action
If you are interested in joining the business leaders task force, providing funds to help implement strategies to end homelessness, or offering specific technical expertise to help improve our system, please email [email protected].
