By Eugene T. Lowe
July 14, 2008

Recognized as one of the premier homeless shelters in the nation, the Chapman Homeless Assistance Center was the venue for the meeting of the Conference of Mayors Task Force on Hunger and Homelessness on June 21. Co-Chairs Des Moines Mayor T. M. Franklin Cownie and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom chaired the meeting, which included three speakers who are playing key roles in addressing the issue of hunger and homelessness in America. Miami Mayor Manny Diaz also attended the session, which began with a video that detailed the approach taken by Miami which has led to an 83 percent decline in the number of homeless people on the streets of the city.

George McDonald, Founder and President of the Doe Fund, Inc., made his presentation by showing a DVD of his organization’s Ready, Willing & Able program. Through a number of colorful visuals, the video illustrates the street cleaning initiative, which is the core of Ready, Willing & Able. Work crews dressed in bright blue uniforms sweep streets, collect and bag refuse, remove graffiti, clean street furniture, steam clean sidewalks and awnings, and shovel snow. Through this and other similar programs, McDonald has positively demonstrated his belief that "a formerly homeless person could create a viable existence if he were able to obtain even a minimum wage low skill job, rent an affordable room and stay off drugs."

Philip Mangano, Executive Director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, said that to end homelessness, it is necessary to pursue a housing first policy. Mayors are going in this direction, according to Mangano, as stated in "America’s Road Home Statement of Principles and Action" adopted by the Conference of Mayors in Miami. Traditional approaches such as soup lines and overnight beds are not the goal anymore, but approaches that help people find jobs and get permanent housing are now seen as the policies that will achieve long lasting results, and reduce homelessness. Mangano said that the 10-year plans to eliminate chronic homelessness are working as seen by Miami’s successful effort, which has led to a dramatic decrease in homelessness.

Patience Butler, Senior Manager of Share Our Strength, spoke of her organization’s efforts to end child hunger. The organization works with a network of community groups, activists and food programs to feed children at risk of hunger where they live, learn, and play. Share Our Strength raises funds, partner with leading corporations, award grants to organizations working to end childhood hunger, convene partnerships with other nonprofits, and provide education programming on nutrition.

The presentations were followed by a tour of the Homeless Assistance Center. With 402 beds, the center receives homeless-assistance funding from the city’s food-and-beverage tax. Those persons living in the center have access to government services such as veterans’ benefits, childcare, Social Security, etc. People leave the center within 60 days for permanent homes; about two-thirds get housing without public rental assistance.