teaser

Opinion: Equity-based, social solutions are needed for the unsheltered

We are now experiencing heart-wrenching houselessness across our nation.

  • By Dana Dardis in partnership with Alaska Poor Peoples Campaign
  • Saturday, July 31, 2021 10:11pm
  • Opinion

By Dana Dardis

Alaskans are known for their fierce independence and, in times of hardship, for giving a helping hand to those in need. I’ve been fortunate to witness and befriend some of the finest Alaskans — helping those in troubled times. When we experienced a 7.1 earthquake in November 2018, Alaskans shined and showed what coming together was all about.

We are now experiencing heart-wrenching houselessness across our nation, including cities across Alaska. Coming together as a diverse community to find equity-based, social solutions is needed more than ever. Anchorage and the rest of our nation are experiencing a humanitarian crisis. If we do not find a way to rise to the occasion and address houselessness with compassion and with focus at its core causes, houselessness will worsen exponentially with COVID and climate change, Anchorage a climate-resistant city.

Alaska has many unique characteristics that separate us from the Lower 48. Even with our geographically isolated location, we share socioeconomic and sociopolitical challenges as one nation.

Houselessness is projected to continue to increase by 2.2% across the nation. When it is reported that a staggering 580,466 Americans experience houselessness on any given night, and when over 437,278 evictions have been filed during a pandemic in six states, we know houselessness is systemic. Its causes rooted in economic and political policy. In a June 2020 ADN article, it was estimated that 1,100 people were officially unhoused while approximately 7,900 sought some form of assistance due to houselessness.

Given the research and the rhetoric from our leadership about housing first priorities, why do their actions continue to contradict and cause further harm? Let’s be frank, city officials must go to the source and not the other way around. Access to institutions is a barrier for many people, especially for people who are unhoused. Let me be clear, the top-down approach isn’t solving houselessness nor are the policies and mandates that criminalize houselessness.

If there is to be a sincere effort to solve housing for those who are unhoused, then voices of individuals experiencing houselessness must be given priority in the process, a collaborative effort that doesn’t compound trauma already experienced by these individuals in dire circumstances. It is imperative that leadership create a “we can do this together,” neighborhood-by-neighborhood approach that is diverse, human centered and housing first.

Tens of millions of tax dollars are spent every year. Millions on relentless meetings, studies, expensive brochures and presentation amounting to outcomes where people are still sleeping on the streets and in the woods. Exactly where are the millions going?

Navigation centers are temporary human warehouses. They are not stable homes in areas with access to programs, facilities and transportation. The idea of a 450 mega temporary shelter seems both a waste of money when we have the Sullivan Arena, that is centrally located, and contradictory to a municipality whose direction is “Home for Good.”

To uproot and disrupt the lives of hundreds of people from Sullivan Arena during a pandemic and when there are no permanent solutions seem absurd.

People need stable and permanent homes. In Anchorage, we have a few examples of individual entrepreneurs both for profit and nonprofit who are providing housing and support. The city should talk to these entrepreneurs who already have a pulse for what works, and make them part of the solution.

Houselessness affects families from ALL walks of life. It includes individuals who have experienced loss: divorce, death, unemployment, eviction; individuals who have experienced tragedy, domestic abuse, trauma (including historical), incarceration, and debt; individuals with mental health issues and addiction, individuals who lack reliable transportation, access to affordable housing, and low-wage earners and seasonal workers.

Blaming houselessness on the individual is ignorant, cruel and perpetuates dangerous and hurtful stigmas and fears. Both data and research point to the fact that houselessness is a symptom of grotesque unbridled capitalism that particularly impacts marginalized communities? It’s time we acknowledge this truth and work together to solve it permanently.

Associate Supreme Court Justice, Louise Brandeis said, “We can either have democracy in this country or we can have great wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we can’t have both.

Dana Dardis is a writer, poet, artist and prior B&B owner. She holds a B.A. and M.Ed. Dardis is currently enrolled in a substance use disorder professional counseling program. She lives between both Alaska and Washington. Alaska Poor Peoples Campaign is a nonprofit organization that challenges systemic racism, poverty, and the war economy, ecological devastation and the nation’s distorted morality of religious nationalism.

More in Opinion

Baisden family dog, Tug, is photographed in this undated photo. (Photo courtesy Rhonda Baisden)
Opinion: Ode to a good boy

The reality of saying goodbye hit us like a freight train

Alex Koplin. (courtesy photo)
Opinion: Why we’re not ranking Vance on the ballot

We will rank the other two candidates

Kenai Courthouse is photographed on Feb. 26, 2019, in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)
Opinion: Seeking justice for our son

These state troopers need to be held accountable for their actions, and never let this happen again

This November 2022 file photos shows Alaska Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai explaining the ranked choice tabulation for the 2022 U.S. House race. Democratic incumbent Mary Peltola prevailed over Republican former Gov. Sarah Palin by a final tally of 54.9% to 45.1% after lower-finishing candidates Republican Nick Begich III amd Libertarian Chris Bye were eliminated during the first two rounds of instant choice runoffs. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire file)
Opinion: Ranked choice voting and open primaries diminish political party control. That’s great for Alaska.

The fact that both private political organizations are opposed to open primaries and RCV should be a red flag for us all

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski talks to supporters during a campaign event at Louie’s Douglas Inn on Oct. 12, 2022.
Opinion: Murkowski must get off the ‘none of the above’ fence

She needs to follow Cheney’s lead and endorse Harris

Voting booths are set up at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A few votes can make all the difference

Because we are expecting a low voter turnout, your vote carries more weight

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, speaks during a debate with Rep. Ben Carpenter organized by the District 8 Alaska Republican Party at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Aug. 12, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Opinion: Legislation encourages professional development for teachers

This bill provides incentives to teachers to seek the most rigorous and effective professional development they can.

Alex Koplin. Photo courtesy of Alex Koplin.
Point of View: The 2020 election was safe and secure

How can so many voters be so misinformed?

The Kenai Safeway is seen on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Opinion: AG’s silence on Kroger-Albertsons merger is failing Alaskans

We are concerned for all Alaskan consumers and for Alaska’s food security.

AKPIRG logo. Photo courtesy of AKPIRG
Opinion: With the right regulations, the SAVE Act can unlock energy prosperity in Alaska

Since 2010, only homeowners have been able to invest in and earn monthly bill savings from rooftop solar

The Safeway supermarket in Juneau, seen here Oct. 4, 2023, is among those in Alaska scheduled to be sold if its parent company, Albertsons Companies Inc., merges with Kroger Co., the parent company of Fred Meyer. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: Alaska’s attorney general flunks math test

One supermarket owner is less competitive than two, and more competition is good for shoppers

Jenny Carroll (Courtesy)
Opinion: Homer Harbor plays critical role in community, economy

This gateway to Cook Inlet fuels everything from recreation and food security to commercial enterprises