Addressing Homelessness
Insights from Commissioner Mike Goze
Minnesota Commissioner Mike Goze
“Half measures will not work!”
"I have been working within the homelessness arena for over 15 years and have never seen it at the current level. In the urban area, the encampments have only increased the number of homeless folks.
We need a coordinated and resource-rich effort to have a meaningful impact on the current situation.”
Insights from Commissioner Mike Goze
Background and Motivation
"Today, homelessness is something we cannot ignore. It affects our Nation's single individuals and families. A basic necessity of life is having a safe, standard, and hopefully supportive place to live. I am in favor of the Nation understanding what effect homelessness is having on our tribal members. Coming from an urban area where we see a growing homeless population of younger folks with substance use disorders, we must look for solutions to this problem," said Goze.
Understanding the Constituents' Needs
"The urban areas are unique in several ways. One, the problem keeps growing due to the influx of folks coming to the urban areas looking for opportunities that are not available in rural or reservation-less populated areas. These opportunities may include jobs, education, and other family connections. However, housing is at a premium, and the needed resources are not readily available. This adds to the homelessness and hopelessness that may lead someone to fall into addiction. The other side of the coin is that there can be better access to services to help folks if they can maneuver through the many hoops," Goze explained.
Collaboration and Community Involvement
"No one can do this work alone. The more folks we have working on this issue, the better the results will be. It's just not about housing; other supports and opportunities will be needed to create a new outcome. The Nation cannot be a fix-all; other issues will need to be addressed," Goze emphasized.
Bold Actions, Real Solutions: HHCDA's Fight Against Homelessness
At HHCDA, we have made progress with our housing programs and rental assistance. However, more needs to be done to address homelessness. We're launching a task force initiative to implement comprehensive strategies and form strong partnerships to create lasting solutions. Michael Goze, the Minneapolis Commissioner, will share his insights and vision for the task force.