Reflections

The unintended consequences are rarely seen by the giver. They leave feeling better about themselves because they did something charitable.

If we weren't having success, the unsheltered number would be many times higher than what it is today.

If we "end" homelessness, or have an efficient homelessness crisis response system in the Valley, then the possibilities are endless.

Preventing and ending homelessness does not occur at a rate that is "intractable." It occurs at a rate that is inequitable.

We don't use words like "arrest," "incarcerate," or "force treatment" when we talk about housed people that have mental illness and addictions.

Can we write prescriptions for safe, affordable, and permanent housing?

I will pull myself together and carry on, because I am not homeless. I can keep working on solutions to prevent and end homelessness.

The only thing the same for the 1,724 people in our purview is that they do not have a safe, permanent, affordable place to live.

We have time to start moving back to strategy rather than operating in crisis mode. There are bright spots and success stories every day.

I write as myself. It allows me to release ideas, words, thoughts, commentary, knowledge, and experience from my brain into this communal space.