We can do better on housing

Dear Mayor Bowser:

I am experiencing homelessness for the second time, which is why I call it a revolving door. My first place was a disaster. I was grateful for having somewhere to stay, but I experienced an incredible amount of stress.

My counselor threatened me by saying I was lying about my employment search at the time and not doing what was required to qualify for the housing program presented to me. The truth was I had just become employed at the airport but my background check was going to take between a week and a month to complete. The counselor didn’t believe me and continually accused me of lying. So, I told him I didn’t want him as my counselor.

Fast forward three weeks and my job came through. So, I’m not sure what disqualified me for housing. Someone from the streets doesn’t need or deserve that kind of interrogation and harassment. I wouldn’t be in my current situation if that counselor had been civil and decent to me.

Now let’s go outside the box: It makes perfect sense for someone who has a house to house a homeless person. Of course you wouldn’t do that without confirming their health and mental conditions. More people have the capacity to help one another.

Lastly, let’s help the homeless before housing them. I speak about this because three of my friends have died in their apartments not so long after moving into them. One of them drank all his life, was put in an apartment, and told to quit drinking. That’s not what I call “supportive.”

We can all do better, in so many ways.

Sincerely,
Andre Brinson

information about New Signature, a Washington DC tech solutions and consulting firm

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