Three U.S. mayors convened at Harvard on Tuesday to discuss their efforts to tackle homelessness in their cities. According to recent data, approximately 770,000 individuals are homeless in the United States, marking an 18 percent increase since the last count. Of these, about one-third are unsheltered, while the rest reside in shelters, temporary housing, or with friends or family.
Tulsa, Oklahoma Mayor Monroe Nichols highlighted that homelessness impacts more than just housing, affecting public safety and health. The event, hosted by the Chan School of Public Health and co-sponsored by several initiatives, was part of the Bloomberg Center’s Global Mayors at Harvard Day. This gathering included 45 mayors from 16 countries, who exchanged ideas and explored solutions to governance challenges.
Moderator Howard Koh emphasized the visibility and urgency of the homelessness crisis, urging collaboration across sectors and leadership from mayors. Nichols was joined by Patrick Farrell, mayor of Huntington, West Virginia, and Kaarin Knudson, mayor of Eugene, Oregon. Each shared their city’s unique challenges and strategies.
Farrell identified the opioid crisis as a key factor in Huntington’s homelessness issue, stressing the importance of addressing it to improve community safety and attract business. He has involved hospitals, businesses, nonprofits, and government in a collaborative effort, using a public safety dashboard to track progress.
Nichols reported that Tulsa sees about 3,000 new homeless individuals annually, and his goal is to provide enough housing units for them. He reduced the average wait time for housing from 220 to 37 days through a rapid exit strategy.
Knudson found that Eugene needed fewer transitional housing units than expected, focusing instead on improving the transition to permanent housing. She noted that federal funding cuts have reduced the number of case managers available to assist this process. The city’s housing market remains tight, with vacancy rates below 5 percent for a decade and average housing costs unaffordable for those earning average wages.
The mayors underscored the need for investments beyond city resources to address systemic challenges, including increased funding for mental health and addiction services. Knudson advocated for policies to fund necessary housing in the community.
Original Source: news.harvard.edu
