I was invited to participate in the budget process in Washington, D.C., which is facing a budget crisis that could have profound implications for people experiencing homelessness. On March 1, D.C.’s mayor, Muriel Bowser, began to roll out her budget plan for the city at a forum, which I and other members of the Fair Budget Coalition disrupted. Some of these plans are concerning to me, and I want to highlight a few.
First, I fear Bowser’s budget won’t do enough to address mental health support for people experiencing homelessness. Homelessness has increased by more than 13% compared with the number from last year. Many people experience homelessness with mental health issues like depression and anxiety; they should not have to manage these problems alone.
I understand this fear of facing my mental health alone, and I also knew that taking my medication could be challenging and could increase the likelihood of my life getting worse. So, funding for mental health care is essential; unfortunately, I don’t think discussion of this funding made into this budget forum.
Second, this budget forum didn’t provide information on funding for first responders’ care for people with lived experience or mental health issues. I know many people who live with significant mental health crises that require hospitalization. I wanted to believe the discussion would also answer some questions regarding behavioral health outreach workers and their roles in crisis prevention, but again, I was not happy. The lack of additional fundamental increases in the budget for behavioral health programs is unsuitable. More cuts will never solve these issues.
Third, those experiencing homelessness with mental health issues need shelters and support centers; these support centers give access to health care, counseling, disability services, and more. People experiencing behavioral health issues should have access to affordable care with programs that promote stability. This budget Bowser seems ready to offer does nothing more than keep those experiencing behavioral health problems unsafe and unsheltered.
