Government Affairs
2008 Election Candidates and Candidate Survey Responses back to main Candidate page
Candidate Survey Responses – On The Issues – Each Question, All Candidates
2. Describe your commitment to solutions related to the growing homeless problem in Flagstaff.
Mayor Joseph Donaldson
As has been demonstrated, I have provided leadership that is bringing forward a temporary homeless shelter and I am working with the community to establish a permanent homeless shelter with access to needed services.
Sara Presler-Hoefle
Homelessness affects working families in northern Arizona. Zoning solutions for shelter space are important. Also, many of the people that are homeless in Flagstaff are not outsiders. Instead, they live and work in our community. The first step toward a solution is to understand how very local the issue really is in our community. The next step is to facilitate, as a city, a coordination of resources. Mental health, housing, jobs, schools, faith based opportunities, and justice system resources (victim witness, probation, and rehabilitation) are necessary components. The third step is compassion. We must, at every opportunity, offer compassion.
In February 2005, 166 people were surveyed as homeless in Flagstaff. 46% of those persons were unsheltered. We had 13 available beds and needed 133 beds. Homeless families had zero beds and needed 60 potential beds. These numbers do not reflect the impacts of the no camping ordinance because the studies were conducted before actual implementation. Our needs for homeless include job training, case management, substance abuse treatment, mental health care, placement into housing, life skills, food and nutrition, and interim services (runs of bad luck assistance).
46% of the 166 persons were victims of domestic violence. 7 of them were categorized as chronic substance abusers. The remaining are either dually diagnosed, veterans, have HIV/AIDS, and are under age 18.
The average wage in the homelessness studies is somewhere around $26,500. Rent on that income is around $591 a month. The fair value of a studio is $653. The studies suggest we offer a livable wage or a higher household income. Final options are more HUD homes and affordable housing.
HALO House had to turn away 500 families in 2005 due to lack of space. Permanent mental health housing opportunities are also needed in our community. We have a serious and very local need for housing in our community, alongside a comprehensive approach to services.
Karla Brewster
Flagstaff should already have had a homeless shelter, so I am committed to seeing one being completed- ideally, with the organization who is seeking to do this, with funding help from the city. Other agencies should be located near or in this facility (mental health, counseling, rehab, etc.) to best help this population as many are needing a hand up, not a hand out and are temporary residents.
Coral Evans
I have long been committed in finding a solution that will effectively address Flagstaff’s growing homeless population. Over a year ago, the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association (of which I am the executive director), working in partnership with the Royal Inn (a for profit organization) implanted a program called “OASIS” to assist in alleviating the homeless crisis that we saw happening in the (Sunnyside) neighborhood (this program has since then spun off into a separate 501 c 3 organization).
I believe that there is a need for a comprehensive homeless shelter in Flagstaff that is fully equipped to meet the specific needs that this population; assisting them in becoming fully self-sustainable. Any viable solution to this problem will require a multitude of partners working together. These partners should include private, public and non-profit sectors.
Morgan Hagaman
The homeless problem is something that definitely needs to be addressed. It isn’t going to go away. The temporary shelter is only a temporary fix and isn’t going to work. The city needs to investigate in finding a permanent location and look into working with other organizations to make this happen. I will be open to any ideas and options that will allow us to help those who have been less fortunate that ourselves.
John McCulloch
As Hostel owners, my wife and I interface with homeless issues on a daily basis. I am committed to working with Flagstaff Shelter Services in finding them a permanent location.
Micole Shorty
I intend to bring a sincere commitment to our homeless situation in order to keep this statistic as low as possible.
Al White
I have been at the forefront in our efforts to create the intake/triage unit with the Guidance Center, Narbha, FMC, and the County. We have worked and approved a temporary homeless shelter and should engage the same partners to see the permanent one to completion. I helped make sure during the drought caused forest closures that a temporary shelter existed and have seen the success that had in getting some folks out of homelessness. |
