Two Truths about Homelessness
I’m still learning about homelessness, its root causes, and effective solutions. So far, two things seem consistently true. First, in almost every case, people living on the streets don’t want to be there. Second, other people in the community don't want them living on the streets either. The good news is that there seems to be a shared goal of helping as many people as possible find housing.
As I’ve shared in previous mayoral campaign posts, here are some recent actions I’ve taken to better understand the issues facing Huntington.
I met with Mitch Webb, the executive director of Huntington City Mission, and Toby Taylor, their board president. We discussed the mission's current challenges and reviewed the 2023 Point-in-Time Count (PIT) results. Notably, in the Huntington area, there was a 25% decrease in the number of people experiencing homelessness from 2016 to 2021, followed by a concerning 38% increase in 2022. Participants in the survey self-reported that 65% were suffering from substance use disorder and 62% were living with severe mental illness.
When I toured the Harmony House in December, I volunteered for the 2024 Point-in-Time (PIT) count that happened this week. Alongside Brittany Ochoa, Harmony House’s executive director, Thom Boggs, the board vice president, and Dr. Sydnee McElroy we surveyed the downtown area, covering 1st Street to 20th Street from the floodwall to the train tracks. I could share anecdotal stories, but when the hard data is available it will likely paint a more accurate picture of how this challenge is evolving. The results from the PIT count will probably take weeks (or months) to be finalized. I’ll be sure to share them with you when they are released.
At a recent Republican Executive Committee meeting, Scott Caserta, the Cabell County Clerk, and Lee Dean, a field representative from the WV Secretary of State's office, discussed their initiatives to ensure election security and combat voter fraud. They provided clarity, separating fact from fiction, especially concerning what is often heard about voter fraud from cable news sources. Additionally, they highlighted an excellent resource for voters: www.govotewv.com.
At a recent Marshall University Student Government Association meeting, I shared my thoughts on the importance of the 'town and gown' relationship between Huntington and Marshall University, emphasizing that a strong Huntington is intertwined with a strong Marshall. Engaging with Marshall students always energizes me, and this meeting was no different. I believe firmly in the transformative power of young people, both in changing our world and in shaping Huntington's future
A federal court finally heard the appeal of Huntington and Cabell County’s 2021 case against opioid distributors. I listened to the proceedings on Thursday. While I don’t expect a reversal of the original decision, the judges’ questions seemed to suggest that the federal court might refer the legal questions surrounding the definition of “public nuisance” in our state back to the West Virginia Supreme Court.
This isn't campaign-related, but this weekend, I'll be helping lead my sons’ Scout troop on our annual winter weekend adventure, known as Cold Cabin. This trip has always been a valuable experience for my boys (and for me!), reminding us that we can indeed survive a few days without central heating, television, and the internet.
Thank you for reading. Please share or forward this message to your friends and family members who want to help make Huntington a better place to live and work!