A stakeholder is “a person with an interest or concern in something, especially a business. (Fernando, 2022). A stakeholder can be referred in many ways withing homelessness. A stakeholder can be a homeless itsfel because sometimes homeless people like to get in groups within other people living in a street because they feel safe and help each other to find solution towards their problems. Other type of stakeholder can be the government staff/officials. For example, according to NCSL article “the federal government provides housing primarily through its section 8 vouchers programs.” also “each year, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awards Hoemeless Assistance Grants to communities that administer housing and service at the local level” (Fernando, 2022). Many of these stakeholders believe that opening better opportunities would make homeless people get off the streets. They believe reducing the cause of houses or creating a better health insurance for those in need would help many people getting them off the streets because homeless people aren’t there because they want to be but because they have to be due to the high prices. According to the community impact article “Homelessness isn’t someone else’s issue. It has a ripple effect throughout the community. It impacts the availability of healthcare resources, crime and safety, the workforce, and the use of tax dollars. Further, homelessness impacts the present as well as the future” (Lawrence, 2022). Not solving these issues will cause for the population of homeless people to increase which would also cause the governments spend more money. I personally believe that if they start taking actions by creting better insurance and lowering the cost of house for homeless people this would cause a much better living style for all homeless people.

Citation:

-Colletti, J., PhD. (2019, February 4). California Continuums of Care: What Stakeholders Are Participating and What Stakeholders Are Not - Homeless. Homeless and Housing Strategies for California. https://homelessstrategy.com/california-continuums-of-care-what-stakeholders-are-participating-and-what-stakeholders-are-not/ 

-Stakeholder perspectives on integrated services for people who experience chronic homelessness. (n.d.). Taylor & Francis. Retrieved October 27, 2022, from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10530789.2018.1501947?journalCode=ysdh20 

-Community Impact | The Community Impact On Homelessness. (2022, April 13). CaringWorks, Inc. https://www.caringworksinc.org/our-impact/community-impact/ 

Interview with City Stake Holder of Beaverton/Portland 

Today I interviewed a very great friend of mine called Larisa Aguilar Santiago I met her through church and she told me how she works for a church and her role there is to help organize groups to go to Portland three times a week. Whitin this interview I will be asking her questions about what she feels about homeless people.

“When you hear about homeless topic, how does it make you feel?”

Larisa: When I hear about this topic it breaks my heart specially when its winter and summer because during winter it gets supper cold that I have to wear two sweaters to keep myself warm and even then I am still shivering and during summer it’s way to hot and I can’t imagine what people feel without an A/C. I sometimes wished I could help every single on of them but there’s so much and I wish the city would do something to help these people because no one deserves to live this way.

“How have you helped within this issue?”

Larisa: As you know I work at a church and my role there is to gather up people and 2-3 days a week we go to Portland to give out food, coffee, and any aid kit that they want. Even with me doing this I sometimes feel like it is not enough because sometimes we don’t have enough food for everyone and it breaks my heart seeing them with a sad face. Another way I help them is by referring them to the closest shelter. 

“What do you think the city should do solve this situation?”

Larisa: I believe that they should reduce the prices on houses and create more shelters because sometimes the closest shelter can be 30 minutes walking and some people i’ve met are disable and can’t walk. I also believe their should be fundraisers where homeless people come and get clothes, blankets, socks, etc. 

“Do you feel angry towards the homeless?”

Larisa: To be completely honest with you no, and the reason for that is because no one chooses to be homeless, most people either have financial issues or health issues or even mental issues which causes them to not have a job. However, jobs can also be a big impact towards this because not every job gives opportunity to these people and see what they are capable of.

Last question 

“What do you like about your job?” 

Larisa: I love my job! I think helping others in need has always been my passion and I wouldn’t get tired of helping people. Especially learning about the stories the homeless people go through is very impactful which motivates me to keep helping the community.