17-26 Resolution in Support of Putting Panhandlers to Work

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PrintFriendly.com: Print & PDF Page 6 of 9 "They're not currently engaged with us," Sullivan said. "We want to be able to get these folks to earn more money more safely, and get them hooked up with services." That approach has worked well in Albuquerque, according to Mayor Richard Berry, who launched "There's a Better Way" in 2015. According to data on the city's website, 1,689 day jobs have been given as of Feb. 6, resulting in the cleanup of 398 city blocks, including the removal of 117,601 pounds of litter. Twenty people have received housing through the program and 151 people have received mental health or substance abuse services. "It's just simple enough it works great," Berry said in an interview with the Maine Sunday Telegram. "This has done a lot more than I thought it would. Our beautiful city is even better than before." Berry said prospective workers are receptive when approached with dignity and respect and become more motivated when someone believes in their ability to accomplish something. "It's amazing what people can do when you give them a chance," he said. Albuquerque relies on a local nonprofit agency that focuses on homelessness to administer and run the program, while the city provides funding. Signs are placed at busy intersections, encouraging people to donate to nonprofits through a website that is operated by their local United Way. Albuquerque's program began with a $50,000 budget, but now receives $181,000 a year. Community donations have reached nearly $60,000. "Now I can tell my City Council it was a good investment," Berry said. Kellie Tillerson, the employment director of the St. Martin's Hospitality Center, the nonprofit homeless agency that has partnered with the city, said the additional funding has allowed them to expand the program from two days a week to four days. The program has provided work to 488 people, she said, noting that more than 200 of those people have accessed employment services. "We have business owners, homeowners, and other agencies that hire our workers for small jobs" for one day at a time, she said. "This program has proven to be a good way to fill the gap in employment while the workers access our Job Development services and seek permanent employment." Berry said he would advise Portland to keep the program simple and agile by partnering with a local nonprofit. It should also have crews working in high-profile areas and neighborhoods, so the community can develop a connection to the program. THE REACTION FROM PANHANDLERS There appears to be some street-level interest in the program in Portland, based on a city survey and on interviews with panhandlers by the Maine Sunday Telegram. Sullivan said city staff surveyed 30 panhandlers last October, half of whom were homeless. She said 85 percent of them said they'd be interested in participating in such a program. Nearly half indicated they panhandle seven days a week and 75 percent said they make only $10 to $20 a day. Three out of four people said they had a long-term mental health or physical disability and 60 percent said they had substance abuse issues, Sullivan said. https://www.printfriendly.com/print?url_s=uGGC_%7E_PdN_%7E_PcS_%7E_PcSJJJmCE... 6/6/2017