The United Way created a Housing Solutions Group to address homelessness in the community. Pat Frey, vice president of Home for Good said they don’t call it a homeless task force because “it’s not just about homelessness, it’s about safe and affordable housing.” Frey highlighted the problem in a presentation to council showing post pandemic the overall homeless numbers have steadily risen while rental rates have increased 43% since 2022.
The city hasn’t had a plan of action to deal with homelessness since 2010, and Frey said the United Way’s Home for Good has become the city’s first responder for the community’s housing and homeless challenges but it’s not sustainable. “We’re going to need all the community, one entity can’t do this,” Frey said. A new plan to end homelessness is the goal for the public private partnership.
The Housing Solutions Group is comprised of people from various sectors in the city. Warren Steele represents the business sector, SGT Katina Williams is from law enforcement, Len Williams real estate developer, Patrick Knopf from education, Katie Krieg represents the unaccompanied youth while the United Way’s Pat Frey and Ben Moser will lead the effort.
The HSG is gearing up for its first meeting next week with subject matter experts including faith leaders. Surveys will begin to go out to entities, providers and citizens as part of the group’s fact gathering through January then devising the plan on how to tackle the homeless crisis. The group will check in with city council to provide periodic updates on the process.
