A dialogue about “tiny homes” as one conceivable solution to homelessness was conducted Feb. 19 by the Pacific Beach Homelessness Coalition.
The coalition was formed last fall under the stewardship of Simon Mainwaring, rector of St. Andrews by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Pacific Beach.
The group is refining its mission statement, which defines the group as a “volunteer gathering of service providers, users and the local community” aimed at “identifying homeless needs and developing solutions” while “managing impact by improving relationships between community homeless, residents, businesses and leaders.”
“Our objective is to start a positive conversation with people listening and sharing their views with clarity and kindness,” noted Mainwaring. “Those two go together,” he said. Pointing out that coalition meetings are a “democratic process,” the rector noted his role as group facilitator was to “keep things moving” in a positive direction.
An audience member said “the homeless should be invited to this gathering,” adding that “they should have a voice here as well.” The response cited an open invitation for anyone from the homeless community to attend coalition meetings.
PB resident Marcella Teran suggested that the coalition “might want to go out to other community groups to let them know what’s going on” with homelessness.
Forester Chris Scott, who created a prototype of a tiny home on display outside the church at 1050 Thomas Ave., gave a slideshow presentation.
“This is just one option in the total megaproblem we’re facing,” Scott said, noting his concept is “low-cost housing that can be enlarged upon.” He added a tiny home, which can be locked, would provide security as well as being the “first step on the ladder of finding a place” and a way out of homelessness. Scott added that housing, in whatever form, is “essential for human dignity. Society should make that option available.”
Audience members attending the coalition meeting pointed out that some homeless “solutions,” like a couple of “Portland loos” tried in downtown San Diego, have proven to be expensive boondoggles. Others noted there are other hurdles to be overcome, not the least of which is finding appropriate places for the homes while changing existing zoning making them legal.
“Unless we have the infrastructure and an ongoing budget to maintain them (tiny homes), it’s just going to be good money that goes bad,” an audience member said, adding that care also needs to be taken to ensure such dwellings would be kept free of drugs, prostitution and other crimes.
Mainwaring noted one of his objectives in spearheading creation of the homelessness coalition was to “have a more expansive conversation” on the issues utilizing task forces to research potential solutions.
“People are realizing this is a very highly complex issue with no simplicity in terms of either the problems or the solutions,” he said.
For more information, visit pbhomelessnesscoalition.com, or email [email protected]. The rector also warned against homeless “stereotyping,” noting that homelessness can afflict people from all walks of life.
One coalition member subsequently noted that she had been homeless for a time, while an audience member pointed out that she too had fallen victim to homelessness, adding that there are ways out.
“This is purely a starting spot with tiny houses,” said Scott, adding it’s important to “build pride” for someone while he or she is moving up the social ladder and hopefully off the street.
For more information, emai [email protected], or visit phhomelessnesscoalition.com.