Catch up with this back-and-forth between Reno’s experts on homelessness. In case you missed it, here’s Paul White’s op-ed; Grant’s op-ed below is in response to it.
Paul White’s op-ed from 1/19/25:
At a glance, the argument presented here might seem compelling. It’s full of bold claims, tidy solutions, and a clear distinction between who “deserves” help and who doesn’t. But before you accept these suggestions as the way forward, I urge you to stop and think critically about what’s being said.
The framing here oversimplifies a complex issue and plays into divisive narratives that might feel satisfying but don’t hold up under scrutiny. It’s tempting to latch onto ideas that promise quick fixes, especially when they seem to draw such a sharp line between the “good” and the “bad.” But that’s not how homelessness works, and these suggestions risk doing more harm than good.
I ask you to read my rebuttal carefully. I’ll break down these claims, expose the flaws in their logic, and offer a clearer picture of what it actually takes to address homelessness. Because real solutions require more than just compelling rhetoric—they require understanding, collaboration, and action rooted in reality.
Let’s Talk About What’s Really Going On
Alright, let’s break this down because there’s a lot to unpack here. First off, let me say this: framing homelessness as a black-and-white issue with “legitimately homeless” on one side and “vagrants-by-choice” on the other is not only inaccurate – it’s dangerous. It oversimplifies a deeply complex issue and fuels divisive narratives that make it harder to address the real challenges we’re facing.
1. The “Legitimately Homeless” Myth
This idea that the “legitimately homeless” are the ones who just need a little help, follow all the rules, and bounce back quickly is a fantasy. Homelessness doesn’t work like that. People don’t magically stop struggling with addiction, mental health, or trauma because they suddenly decide to “try harder.”
The truth? The majority of people experiencing homelessness didn’t choose this. They’re dealing with systemic barriers: skyrocketing rents, job markets that leave them behind, untreated mental health issues, or lack of support for addiction. They’re navigating a system that wasn’t built to catch them when they fall.
2. The “Vagrants-by-Choice” Narrative
This term – “vagrants-by-choice” – is as harmful as it is misleading. You can’t lump people into this category because they struggle with substance use or don’t behave in ways you deem acceptable. Addiction isn’t always choice; it’s not that simple. Survival behaviors like panhandling or turning to informal economies come from desperation, not preference. Not that it’s OK, but in the setting, it’s part of the gig.
Are there people who resist services or have difficulty following rules? Sure. But that’s often because the services offered don’t meet them where they are. Telling someone who’s actively struggling with addiction to “just stop” is like telling a drowning person to swim harder – it ignores the reality of what they’re going through.
3. Blaming Federal Funding is a Cop-Out
Rejecting federal funding isn’t the silver bullet it’s being framed as. Those funds come with restrictions because they’re tied to best practices, like low-barrier shelters, which aim to meet people where they are – not where we wish they were. Enforcing strict rules, as suggested here, would just push people further into the margins, not help them out of homelessness.
You don’t solve homelessness by making it harder for people to access services. You solve it by addressing the root causes: lack of affordable housing, inadequate mental health care, and insufficient addiction recovery resources.
4. The Church-Based Solution Isn’t Scalable
Church-based programs, like Victory Outreach or Gospel Missions, do good work in specific contexts, but let’s be real – they’re not equipped to handle the scale of homelessness we’re dealing with today. They can’t replace systemic solutions, and they shouldn’t be expected to. Relying solely on faith-based organizations shifts responsibility away from society at large, which is where it belongs.
Also, not everyone feels safe or welcome in religious spaces, especially LGBTQ+ individuals or those who’ve experienced religious trauma. A comprehensive solution has to be inclusive, not selective.
5. “They’ll Just Leave” Is Not a Plan
The idea that the so-called “vagrants-by-choice” will just pack up and move if we enforce harsher rules is short-sighted and dehumanizing. People experiencing homelessness are still members of our community. Shipping them off to become “someone else’s problem” isn’t a solution – it’s avoidance.
What happens when every city adopts this approach? Homelessness doesn’t disappear; it just gets pushed around. The real solution lies in addressing systemic issues that prevent homelessness in the first place.
6. Acknowledging Reality: The Cares Campus Isn’t Perfect, But It’s a Start
The Cares Campus, like many government programs, has its flaws. But labeling it as a complete failure ignores the complexity of what it’s trying to address. It’s not perfect, but it’s a start. Improving it requires collaboration, constructive criticism, and investment – not scorched-earth rhetoric.
Yes, we need shelters with rules and accountability, but we also need more permanent supportive housing, harm reduction programs, and pathways to employment. You don’t solve homelessness with a one-size-fits-all approach.
The Bottom Line
Framing homelessness as a battle between the “deserving” and “undeserving” isn’t just wrong – it’s counterproductive. It’s a narrative that absolves us of responsibility by blaming the people who are suffering.
The real question is: are we willing to confront the systemic issues that create homelessness, or are we going to keep looking for scapegoats? Because until we stop using divisive rhetoric and start working together, we’ll never get to real solutions.
That’s the truth. It’s messy. It’s uncomfortable. But it’s what needs to be said. Let’s stop pointing fingers and start rolling up our sleeves. It’s time to move from blame to action.
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- OPINION: Grant Denton’s Response to Paul White’s Op-Ed on Homelessness - January 28, 2025