More theater from Indy’s mayor
A few weeks ago I published a post titled Mayor Hogsett could end chronic homelessness in Indy by the end of his last term. In it, I accused the mayor’s office of theater and using data and information to foster a narrative that makes city actions around homelessness look far better than they actually are. To be clear, I hold no animus towards Mayor Hogsett. I actually like him and appreciate his good heart and intentions. But what’s that aphorism, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions?!”
I’ll repeat, Indy could end chronic homelessness by the end of Hogsett’s last term in office, but he has to step up and lead THE Housing First program, not a watered-down, in-name-only version of it. Leadership looks like convening all the stakeholders - business, philanthropy, nonprofit, people with lived experience, the CoC, and committing that Indianapolis will end chronic homelessness in 3 years. Cities that have succeeded in this same quest all had mayors who stepped up and stated, unequivocally, we will make this happen and it is a priority for our city; here is the plan. In addition to that commitment, these mayors stated that we will do whatever it takes to be successful. These were not popular decisions in those other cities but were the right thing to do. Interestingly, in places like Houston where the naysayers were forceful and abundant, those are now some of the most ardent advocates of their Housing First initiative. Because it worked. Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King said, “A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.” And as another quotable book says, “Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” Proverbs 4:25-27
On March 12, the city (Mayor Hogsett) announced Indianapolis continues to receive historic federal investments in housing programs. At face value this is true - Indianapolis did qualify for 5 new housing projects based on merit. These funds are competitive and very hard to get. But credit goes to the Indianapolis Continuum of Care (CoC), not the city.
The CoC is a collaborative group of community members, service providers, people with lived experience, advocates, and funders dedicated to ending homelessness. It is an annual competition for a specific HUD grant for housing and services. The Blueprint Council is the governing body of the CoC and operates under a CoC charter, informed by the HUD Interim Rule 578. The CoC program is designed first and foremost to, “Promote communitywide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness.” Key here - communitywide and end homelessness. The Blueprint Council’s current leader is Pastor David Greene and is made up of other service providers and people with lived experience. While it lives under the aegis of the city, the work is not from the city but from these organizations. If this were a genuine acknowledgement of the CoC’s work I would expect to see Pastor Greene in the picture. He’s not there.
To be sure, the city is critical in monitoring CoC grantees, contracting, application submissions, and holding the funds. The city’s Department of Metropolitan Development plays a major role as the Collaborative Applicant in ensuring compliance with CoC funding, allowing the CoC to be competitive. These are all critical roles and are in support of CoC members who are doing the work. To take credit for the CoC member’s hard work is not only disingenuous, it’s just wrong. CoC members fight a daily uphill battle to address the needs of our unhoused neighbors, often without adequate support. And while this is wonderful recognition of the work of the CoC, those 5 new projects will address a fraction of the city’s needs.
Press and photo ops do nothing to fix our serious, looming crisis. It’s just more theater. We can do better.
