Overview
Did you know that 3.5 million Americans experience homelessness each year? Did you know that Hamilton County has the third highest homeless population in Ohio? Did you know that there are over 9,000 people sleeping on the streets of Cincinnati? Homelessness in our city is an deglamorized topic that few people care to discuss. The truth of the matter is that more and more of our neighbors are finding themselves without a home. I felt inclined to find a solution to the rising rates of homelessness in Cincinnati, because I believe that a stable and healthy home life is key to a successful future. Although my entire life I have been blessed with a roof over my head, I take for granted the simple yet vital gift of having a home. I hope that through this project I will be able to bring light to this tragic issue.
Interview
1. What do you believe is the leading factor of homelessness in Cincinnati?
There are a number of reasons for homelessness in Cincinnati. Dr. Mark mentioned that the most prevalent problem that contributes to the rising rates of homelessness in our city is the lack of affordable housing. Affordable housing is defined as the housing that is considered affordable to individuals earning a median household income as rated by the government by a recognized housing affordability index. In Cincinnati, the median income is approximately $70,000 per year. For the citizens whose earnings are below the median income, affordable housing is difficult to obtain. Several neighborhoods in our city, such as Over-the-Rhine, have seen a surge in homelessness due to the inability for its inhabitants to afford housing at 60% Area Median Income (AMI).
2. How are you striving to solve homelessness?
When asked this question, Dr. Mark offered my group a variety of ways in which he and the Homeless Coalition were striving to solve homelessness. For instance, homeless individuals do not have access to the resources that they would if they had a place to live. One of these resources includes the accessibility to a mailbox. The Homeless Coalition collects the mail for 3,000 homeless individuals. The purpose of this system is to offer individuals a place to receive their mail while also giving these people a reason to stay in contact with the Homeless Coalition. In addition, the Homeless Coalition has a number of member organizations and education programs that provide homeless individuals with a platform to teach the community about the reality of homelessness. Furthermore, the Homeless Coalition established an alternative newspaper called Streetvibes which helps homeless individuals to earn a supplemental income through creativity and writing. The Homeless Coalition also advocates for the victims of gentrification. Dr. Mark and his colleagues petition on behalf of the residents of neighborhoods, such as Over-the-Rhine, that have experienced a wave of gentrification.
3. What can we as citizens/students do to help? What are some of your personal experiences with this problem?
As citizens and students, Dr. Mark suggested that we educate those in our community about the major factors that have led to the rise of homelessness in Cincinnati. By informing our city leaders about the lack of affordable housing, Dr. Mark is hopeful that civil action will be taken to combat homelessness. Dr. Mark also offered the idea of fostering the pets of homeless individuals who are no longer able to provide for their animals. Rather than donating food or clothing to homeless shelters, Dr. Mark asks that we have a more substantial and lasting role in tackling this problem. While volunteering in a soup kitchen is a noteworthy effort, Dr. Mark believes that there are more direct ways to end homelessness in Cincinnati.
On a more personal level, Dr. Mark opened up about his own experience of being "homeless at home." In other words, Dr. Mark and his family lived in a home, but they did not have enough food or other resources to live a comfortable life. Furthermore, Dr. Mark discussed how he once again experienced homelessness as an adult when a tree fell on his home. These personal experiences fueled Dr. Mark's passion to advocate for the lives of homeless individuals.
4. Do you think that there will be a solution to homelessness in the near future?
Dr. Mark is hopeful that there will be a solution to homelessness in the near future. He believes that once the city leaders solve the affordable housing crisis that the homeless rate in Cincinnati will lessen. Dr. Mark believes that formulating a County Housing Court to protect the population of homeless individuals is the next step toward solving homelessness. Although it will be impossible to completely eradicate homelessness, Dr. Mark believes that an answer to homelessness could be in our future.
5. Have you noticed if politicians/people in power are doing something to help? If so, what are they doing?
In our interview, Dr. Mark mentioned that there are politicians and people in power who are not as proactive in providing assistance for the homeless population. Dr. Mark implied that these people in power are more interested in revitalizing the city even if that means displacing and discriminating against the homeless. However, Dr. Mark mentioned others, such as Yvette Simpson, who have played a bigger role in advocating for the rights of the homeless. Yvette Simpson been active in promoting the Employment Pipeline which is a system that provides homeless individuals with opportunities to work in parks and in factories. The idea behind this program is to provide homeless individuals with respectable jobs that would help them transition into full-time employment.
There are a number of reasons for homelessness in Cincinnati. Dr. Mark mentioned that the most prevalent problem that contributes to the rising rates of homelessness in our city is the lack of affordable housing. Affordable housing is defined as the housing that is considered affordable to individuals earning a median household income as rated by the government by a recognized housing affordability index. In Cincinnati, the median income is approximately $70,000 per year. For the citizens whose earnings are below the median income, affordable housing is difficult to obtain. Several neighborhoods in our city, such as Over-the-Rhine, have seen a surge in homelessness due to the inability for its inhabitants to afford housing at 60% Area Median Income (AMI).
2. How are you striving to solve homelessness?
When asked this question, Dr. Mark offered my group a variety of ways in which he and the Homeless Coalition were striving to solve homelessness. For instance, homeless individuals do not have access to the resources that they would if they had a place to live. One of these resources includes the accessibility to a mailbox. The Homeless Coalition collects the mail for 3,000 homeless individuals. The purpose of this system is to offer individuals a place to receive their mail while also giving these people a reason to stay in contact with the Homeless Coalition. In addition, the Homeless Coalition has a number of member organizations and education programs that provide homeless individuals with a platform to teach the community about the reality of homelessness. Furthermore, the Homeless Coalition established an alternative newspaper called Streetvibes which helps homeless individuals to earn a supplemental income through creativity and writing. The Homeless Coalition also advocates for the victims of gentrification. Dr. Mark and his colleagues petition on behalf of the residents of neighborhoods, such as Over-the-Rhine, that have experienced a wave of gentrification.
3. What can we as citizens/students do to help? What are some of your personal experiences with this problem?
As citizens and students, Dr. Mark suggested that we educate those in our community about the major factors that have led to the rise of homelessness in Cincinnati. By informing our city leaders about the lack of affordable housing, Dr. Mark is hopeful that civil action will be taken to combat homelessness. Dr. Mark also offered the idea of fostering the pets of homeless individuals who are no longer able to provide for their animals. Rather than donating food or clothing to homeless shelters, Dr. Mark asks that we have a more substantial and lasting role in tackling this problem. While volunteering in a soup kitchen is a noteworthy effort, Dr. Mark believes that there are more direct ways to end homelessness in Cincinnati.
On a more personal level, Dr. Mark opened up about his own experience of being "homeless at home." In other words, Dr. Mark and his family lived in a home, but they did not have enough food or other resources to live a comfortable life. Furthermore, Dr. Mark discussed how he once again experienced homelessness as an adult when a tree fell on his home. These personal experiences fueled Dr. Mark's passion to advocate for the lives of homeless individuals.
4. Do you think that there will be a solution to homelessness in the near future?
Dr. Mark is hopeful that there will be a solution to homelessness in the near future. He believes that once the city leaders solve the affordable housing crisis that the homeless rate in Cincinnati will lessen. Dr. Mark believes that formulating a County Housing Court to protect the population of homeless individuals is the next step toward solving homelessness. Although it will be impossible to completely eradicate homelessness, Dr. Mark believes that an answer to homelessness could be in our future.
5. Have you noticed if politicians/people in power are doing something to help? If so, what are they doing?
In our interview, Dr. Mark mentioned that there are politicians and people in power who are not as proactive in providing assistance for the homeless population. Dr. Mark implied that these people in power are more interested in revitalizing the city even if that means displacing and discriminating against the homeless. However, Dr. Mark mentioned others, such as Yvette Simpson, who have played a bigger role in advocating for the rights of the homeless. Yvette Simpson been active in promoting the Employment Pipeline which is a system that provides homeless individuals with opportunities to work in parks and in factories. The idea behind this program is to provide homeless individuals with respectable jobs that would help them transition into full-time employment.
Problem Pitch Interview Reflection
Problem Pitch Interview Reflection | |
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