Camp trailers and programs (Dee Southard's info request) FWD
Tom Boland (wgcp@earthlink.net)
Fri, 9 Jan 1998 08:39:10 -0800 (PST)
FWD: CC replies to Dee Southard via <homeless@csf.colorado.edu>
Greetings Listmembers:
Last month I asked this group about whether any of you knew about any
successful models of campgrounds for homeless people, and I only received one
reply, encouraging me to look at the Windward folks in WA state. Apparently
homeless only campgrounds are tried, but do not remain operative for very
long...
So I'd like to know if any of you have information about any programs/agencies
working with providing paid camping spaces in for-profit campgrounds, or
low-cost campgrounds? I have spoken with many people who were currently
homeless and camping on publicly owned lands in various sorts of camp trailers
and converted school buses, and I've been thinking that perhaps social service
providers should be linking up people with live-in rigs with for-profit
camp-type businesses and subsidize space rent, etc? Such provisions might
allow people in live-in rigs (Yes, I admit these rigs are sub-standard housing)
and be in-town near work and other resources, rather than forced to squatt 30
miles out in the rural areas...
Do any of you know about any sorts of programs providing such
resources/connections? Almost all I've been able to come up with are programs
that provide space in a shelter or in a for-profit local motel, via vouchers.
Are renting rooms, or providing shelter spaces, or transitional housing, or in
some rare cases (ie habitat homes) helping low-income people build or purchase
the ONLY solutions to emergency housing needs?
Cheers!
Dee Southard <southard@oregon.uoregon.edu>
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