S.F. Gets Results with Homeless Supportive Housing Plan December 14, 2004
News Summary
Significant progress is being claimed a year after San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom implemented the Care Not Cash Plan to move homeless individuals from the streets to supportive housing, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Dec. 5.The 10-year plan to eliminate chronic homelessness is directed at people who have been living on the streets for more than a year, particularly mentally disabled individuals and people with alcohol and other drug addictions.
Since the plan went into effect, more than 700 homeless people have been moved off the streets or out of shelters into newly created supportive housing.
The Care Not Cash plan cuts welfare benefits to the homeless in exchange for housing. Since the program began, the number of people in the city's welfare program dropped 40 percent, from 2,497 to 1,515.
However, the plan has drawn criticism from homeless activists because of new shelter system rules that make it more difficult for a person to get a bed without registering for the Care Not Cash program.
Others have cited the cumbersome application and interview process necessary to get homeless individuals into housing or services under Care Not Cash. Homeless advocates said many of the most dysfunctional individuals who need more help are being left on the streets.
But Newsom defended the plan, saying, "There's no way in the world this sort of situation changes overnight. That would be unreasonable to expect. But give it a year, maybe more, and we will get some lasting results. If we don't get those results, you can hold me accountable."
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