Regional and Urban Design Committee

It is estimated (source) that annually about 3.7 million Americans will experience homelessness. The goal to eradicate homelessness has proven to be elusive in every city that stated that goal. Is it for lack of trying hard enough or is it because the usual strategies. On any given night, at least 3,002 Baltimore city residents sleep on the streets, in shelters, in cars, or other such locations not meant to be home. Of these, four in five are African-American, two-thirds are men, and about half are between the ages of 36 and 50. The 2007 Homeless Census found that 1,000 Baltimoreans meet the federal definition of “chronically homeless,” meaning they have been homeless for over one year or have had at least four episodes of homelessness in three years. (From the 2008 Baltimore plan)

 

It is estimated (source) that annually about 3.7 million Americans will experience homelessness. The goal to eradicate homelessness has proven to be elusive in every city that stated that goal. Is it for lack of trying hard enough or is it because the usual strategies of providing either more shelters or more affordable housing can't eliminate the problem altogether?  Could it be that there is a need for  offering something.... (click below for the full article)