KC 5yr Plan 2025 (1) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

10 was a priority over housing for them, but most voiced that housing first, then employment. There was discussion about the importance of behavioral health services and that these services are requested often. One participant also commented that the population they serve (LatinX community) doesn’t typically take advantage of behavioral health services. • “We do have a lot of requests for the mental health part of behavioral health, so I would agree that those two are definitely at the top of the list.” • “Most of the people who cross my path benefit and report that they need behavioral health and mental health resources.” • “I know of one person who cannot work without housing, so when they lost their housing, they lost their job at which they were thriving.” • “I’m a firm believer that your housing often stabilizes the person inside it.” Law Enforcement/Local Government: Participants agreed that these are important but discussed the need for housing and basic needs to be addressed first in order to be successful. There was discussion on how many people who experience homelessness have behavioral health issues and that this has to be addressed before they can engage in job training. • “I don’t think you can offer people employment services if they don’t have a place where they can get dressed appropriately, shower, get a meal, get a good eight hours rest. Without these things, those employment services will not be successful.” • “There has to be the basic things addressed for someone to be successful. They need a place to live, a place to eat, to feel safe and (if necessary) behavioral health services. Once those core things are addressed, an individual is set up for success in my opinion.” • “You have to have the behavioral health services, but you also need to have the housing to be successful.” Community Members: Generally, participants felt that yes, these are priorities, but housing should be the first priority: affordable low barrier housing and keeping people in housing. There were concerns about keeping people in housing if they have unmet behavioral health needs. • “I think these are priorities, but I think the biggest priority is affordable housing and low barrier housing.” • “You can’t just put someone in an AA meeting who’s homeless.” • “Housing first is my approach, what I’d prefer to see. How do you prioritize behavioral health services when you don’t know where you will sleep at night?” Central Washington University: Most participants felt that while these are important, affordable housing and basic needs must be met first, especially before job training and employment services. People need a safe place to be housed, have access to food, and have access to medical and mental health services before they can be ready for job training. Participants also mentioned the need for supportive employment services such as laundry, clothing, haircuts, washrooms, etc. There was also some discussion about stigma and the need to have programs that are nonjudgmental and discrete. • “You’ve got to meet their material, health, and psychological needs first. And then you start thinking about things like job training. There’s a hierarchy of needs.” • “I would say the #1 priority is a place where you can be safe and fed, where you can take care of your body in any way that is needed.” • “I think a massive priority should be affordable housing.”