Homelessness

I've worked with homeless individuals, I've helped them get jobs, and I've seen success. We can achieve solutions through informed policy written by experienced people. The county needs to be an active participant at the table with our service providers to clarify what we can do, what we can't do, and what can be done by our community partners with a little help. That is why I co-chaired Coos Bay's homelessness workgroup, which was an important part of Coos County receiving the HB 4123 funding to establish a Homelessness Taskforce. Through that office, our public entities will have a coordinating hand within the service provider community. You'll hear folks say they don't want their tax dollars spent on homelessness projects like the funds from HB 4123. Realistically, denying HB 4123 would not save any of your tax dollars; the state already allocated money to this purpose. By denying all state funding committed to addressing homelessness, the only thing accomplished is that the state has more money to spend in Metro or other communities. If you think the state is going to give those dollars back to Coos County just because we choose not to accept it, I've got bad news. Furthermore, by not creating spaces for folks to be we not only reduce the odds of them being able to lift themselves up, we ensure that they will be everywhere you didn't intend. It's a no-win when we throw away a chance to grab your tax dollars back from the state.

As a 4th generation Coos County resident and the 3rd generation through North Bend High School, I know a number of the faces I see on the street. My parents also know some, as does my grandma. I am aware that people come in from out of the area as well, but I cannot in good conscience write everyone off because of that.