Topic > Strategies for Addressing Homelessness in Tempe, Arizona

Currently, there are dozens of homeless people in Tempe; City officials have implemented a number of strategies to help address homelessness among residents. Although several proposals have been made to address the problem, this article examines only three: National Coalition for the Homeless (2006), Lois M Collins, Desert News, and Fehr-Snyder, The Arizona Republic. The document tries to explain why the National Coalition for the Homeless is the best of the three strategies. The National Coalition for the Homeless (2006) is the most effective strategy as it seeks to address homelessness through various means, including volunteer work. , advocacy efforts and contributions. First, the strategy involves people volunteering their time to work directly with victims of homelessness in the city to help them meet their immediate needs. People can volunteer their time to work with children in various programs, share hobbies, and help build homes and shelters, among others (Miller, Hess, & Orthmann, 2011). This is extremely important and can help victims of homelessness acquire some of the basic needs they lack. The strategy also promotes advocacy, which requires people to work together with homeless people to push for positive changes in programs and policies at federal, state, and local levels. Changes, if well implemented, can lead to the development of workable strategies to address homelessness in the city (Miller, Hess, & Orthmann, 2011). The strategy, by supporting the inclusion of homelessness in the development of policies and programmes, ensures that the strategies designed have a positive impact in tackling the problem. Finally, the strategy encourages people to extend their concern and support to the homeless by making contributions to help them meet their daily basic needs. People can contribute a variety of items, including clothing, household items, books, and intangible items, such as employment and training opportunities (Miller, Hess, & Orthmann, 2011). This is important in the sense that it brings comfort to the homeless. Lois M. Collins, Desert News, is also a good strategy for addressing homelessness in Tempe. However, it is not as effective as the National Coalition for the Homeless (2006). The first strategy encourages people to donate excess possessions, including food, tools, and water, to needy and homeless individuals (McNamara, 2008). The problem with this strategy is that it has no power to mobilize people to donate their belongings to the homeless, as most people want to keep what they have in excess for future needs and unexpected eventualities..