opinion

Open Letter on homeless crisis from Salem City Councilor Vanessa Nordyke to House Speaker

House Speaker Kotek,

I read your proposal to address homelessness in this year’s legislative session. As Salem’s newest city councilor, I’ve spent the first three months of my term getting up to speed on a crisis years in the making.

Here’s what I’m seeing in Salem:

Kids in crisis

I visited Taylor’s House, where homeless kids share bedrooms, chores, and meals for days, weeks, or even months.

Youth homelessness has many causes: some are LGBTQ+ who have been rejected by their families; some are fleeing sexual abuse; some have tried killing themselves.

The Taylor’s House staff told me they made 10 trips to the Emergency Room in the last two weeks; not for physical injuries, but due to kids expressing suicidal thoughts.

Families make up a third of homeless

Family Promise of the Mid-Willamette Valley provides emergency and short-term housing for homeless families with children.

At the time of my visit in November 2019, they had just turned away over 70 families. Their website says families are one-third of the local homeless.

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Seniors rapidly becoming homeless

At Safe Sleep, staff told me seniors are the fastest-growing segment of the homeless.

A Safe Sleep volunteer said an 85-year-old woman recently used their shelter.

The number of elderly homeless nearly doubled between 2007-2017, according to HUD. This population is expected to triple over the next decade.

Sex trafficking and domestic violence

Sex trafficking and domestic violence drive women and children into homelessness.

At Simonka Place and Center for Hope and Safety, women and children find shelter and services to regroup, recover, and rebuild their lives.

Homeless come from all backgrounds

I learned from these providers, UGM, and ARCHES, that our homeless include children, women, families, veterans, seniors, persons with disabilities, persons with chronic mental illness, persons with addiction, and more.

Some have been homeless for years; some have jobs but can’t afford rent; some are on the 12,000+ waitlist for housing assistance.

Experts told me “Housing First” is the evidence-based solution to ending, not managing, homelessness.

First responders are on the frontlines

Not all heroes wear capes.

Firefighters, police, and paramedics told me about mental health, drug addiction, and other issues they see on the streets. Some donate food and supplies out of their own pockets.

As long as people remain unsheltered in large numbers, first responders will be on the frontlines.

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The time is now

I’ve been on the Salem City Council for three months.

It is clear to me that homelessness is beyond my city’s financial ability to solve on its own.

There’s no better time than now to address this crisis. It’s not too late to save children from a lifetime of homelessness. It’s not too late to help seniors live with dignity. It’s not too late to spark hope in our chronically homeless.

It’s not too late. The time is now.

Vanessa Nordyke has been the Ward 7 Salem City Councilor since late October. She is a senior assistant attorney general with the Oregon Department of Justice. You may reach her at VNordyke@cityofsalem.net