By Sacramento County Supervisor Sue Frost
Helping those caught in homelessness is an act of compassion — part of our duty as human beings. But handing out free stuff doesn’t really solve the problem or provide a path out of homelessness — but a job might.
Homelessness is increasing in Rio Linda/Elverta every year, and the community is demanding action to reverse this worrying trend. Last year, Sacramento County introduced four new homeless initiatives geared primarily towards increasing access to homeless shelters and free/affordable housing, which is in critically low supply compared to the enormous demand. But while these programs are important, I can’t help but feel that we are neglecting to adequately address the issue of helping them get a job, which is the biggest thing that can be done to ensure people experiencing homelessness break the cycle and become self-sufficient.
When I am in Rio Linda/Elverta talking with my constituents, many people tell me we need to make more services available to people experiencing homeless. But an equally large number of people tell me that the more services we provide, the more homeless are attracted to the area, and the more we are making them dependent on government handouts.
This was especially evident to me during my most recent survey of Rio Linda/Elverta residents, where over 65% of respondents told me that they think we need to have a mix of “compassion” and “tough love” when trying to decrease the explosion of homelessness. I believe helping connect people to a job allows them to regain their sense of self-worth, establish a level of trust with their local government so they can be connected to available services, and eventually become productive members of society again (and potentially even give back). This is a concept that everyone should be able to agree with.
Many of the people experiencing homelessness have simply lost hope and given up; they do not remember what it is like to work for a paycheck and they lack self-confidence. By getting paid for doing work, they can help to restore their sense of self-worth, and also begin to establish a level of trust with their local government so they can be connected to available services designed to help them get back on their feet.
To that end, earlier this year I began working with staff to create a program to connect homeless individuals with jobs and training. We do not have to reinvent the wheel, there are programs across the country that have seen great success that we can use as a models. I’m not predisposed to one model over another — as long as we create something that works for Sacramento County.
One program that has been utilized now in 15 cities is where a local non-profit is contracted to drive to areas frequented by panhandlers and offer them day labor, such as landscape beautification and garbage removal — or even homeless camp cleanup. This reminds them of the dignity and pride of what it is like to earn a paycheck, and has proven to be a catalyst for real change (in one city alone, this program has directly contributed to over 70 full time jobs and dramatically reduced panhandling). Another program in a nearby California city works with specific businesses to offer incentives to hire people experiencing homelessness.
As the plan is drafted, I will be inviting the Rio Linda/Elverta community to give me feedback so the best possible plan can be put forward for possible funding. I want to hear from everyone, so that it isn’t just political leaders and staff who have a say in the process. If you want to stay up to date, please sign up for my e-newsletter by going to www.saccounty.net/suefrost and click on the link that says “E-Newsletters”.
Finally, I want to invite everyone to my next Rio Linda/Elverta community meeting on March 7th at 7:00pm at the Visitor’s Depot Center (6730 Front Street). This is an opportunity for you to get an update from me and to ask me any questions you may have. If you come at 6:00pm you can participate in the community meeting run by law enforcement, which I highly encourage you to attend. Thank you for reading – and as always, if you want to contact me, call me at 916-874-5491 or e-mail me at SupervisorFrost@saccounty.net.
Sue Frost represents the 4th District, which includes all or part of the communities of Citrus Heights, Folsom, Orangevale, Antelope, Rio Linda, Elverta, Gold River, Rancho Murieta, North Highlands, Carmichael, Foothill Farms and Fair Oaks.
