Ending the Homelessness Industrial Complex

The Problem:

Washington spends over $1 billion annually on homelessness programs, yet the crisis continues to worsen. The "Housing First" model—which provides permanent housing without requiring sobriety or mental health treatment—has created a system that enables addiction and mental illness rather than addressing root causes. Homelessness increased 23% statewide from 2020-2023 despite massive spending, while overdose deaths continue rising in supportive housing facilities. This approach has spawned an entire industry of nonprofit organizations, consultants, and service providers whose funding depends on maintaining the problem, not solving it.

My Solutions:

• Mandate sobriety and mental health treatment as conditions for long-term housing assistance Track outcomes, not just dollars spent—measure how many people achieve independence
• Prioritize drug treatment and mental health services over permanent supportive housing
• Enforce laws against public drug use and camping while offering genuine treatment alternatives
• End the practice of concentrating homeless services in residential neighborhoods
• Audit nonprofits and contractors to ensure funds reach people, not administrative overhead
• Require competitive bidding instead of no-bid contracts to the same organizations

Result:

Real help for people struggling with addiction and mental illness, safer communities, and responsible use of taxpayer dollars.