LEARN > HiPP: Project Old Town (POT)
HiPP: Project Old Town (POT)
The Problem
The Portland/Multnomah unmet need for overnight sleeping units and affordable housing will not be satisfied for years, probably for at least a decade. Further, the situation for the even larger and more important need for mental healthcare is even worse. That means that existing shelter and housing could be unmanageable and unsafe, and, in actuality, only hiding the problem and not solving the real issue; undesirable behavior. Nowhere is this situation more evident than in Old Town, the epicenter for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and homeless services, resulting in streets that are pretty much unlivable and unnavigable for businesses, residents, customers and visitors.
The Solution
A grassroots / volunteer effort to get the city/county to implement a plan to end homelessness we think deserves a chance, the Behavioral Wellness Institute (BWI) concept (see separate details).
The Strategy
Launch a pilot program with a phased approach where the first part is implemented without county/city assistance exclusively in the Old Town area and the second part tests the BWI solution but also limited to Old Town.
Goal
A 3-month pilot project offering relief to area businesses and guaranteed progress for participants that demonstrates to the city/county that a new approach to managing those experiencing homelessness can make our public spaces clean and safe while helping those in distress. The first month will include an assessment and refinement of the initial plan to improve results for the duration of the pilot.
Objectives
Pre-Goal
The Problem
The Portland/Multnomah unmet need for overnight sleeping units and affordable housing will not be satisfied for years, probably for at least a decade. Further, the situation for the even larger and more important need for mental healthcare is even worse. That means that existing shelter and housing could be unmanageable and unsafe, and, in actuality, only hiding the problem and not solving the real issue; undesirable behavior. Nowhere is this situation more evident than in Old Town, the epicenter for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and homeless services, resulting in streets that are pretty much unlivable and unnavigable for businesses, residents, customers and visitors.
The Solution
A grassroots / volunteer effort to get the city/county to implement a plan to end homelessness we think deserves a chance, the Behavioral Wellness Institute (BWI) concept (see separate details).
The Strategy
Launch a pilot program with a phased approach where the first part is implemented without county/city assistance exclusively in the Old Town area and the second part tests the BWI solution but also limited to Old Town.
Goal
A 3-month pilot project offering relief to area businesses and guaranteed progress for participants that demonstrates to the city/county that a new approach to managing those experiencing homelessness can make our public spaces clean and safe while helping those in distress. The first month will include an assessment and refinement of the initial plan to improve results for the duration of the pilot.
Objectives
- Ensure adequate shelter space is available on a pro-rated basis.
- Enforce camping ban in the entire Old Town district.
- Setup 5-minute response team for public disturbance reports (people experiencing emotional dysregulation).
- Street outreach (volunteer - more below) team to greatly reduce if not prohibit loitering, drug distribution/usage and general unruly behavior.
Pre-Goal
- Videos to document the current state and explain the proposal.
- Business outreach offering disturbance response and project explanation.
- Street outreach offering dysregulation support and basic wellness education.
- Seek partner support and coordination (i.e. existing SUD treatment and homeless services providers).
- Obtain pilot funding and policy approval. Details coming.
- Locate, renovate and open BWI pilot facility and/or partner with existing shelter provider.