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 1 Housing Plan to End Homelessness — Basic Story

One county has a problem. The problem is that many people don't have places to live. This is called being
homeless. There are many reasons why people become homeless. Sometimes people lose their job and can't
afford to pay rent. Some are teenagers who ran away from home. Homeless people often sleep in their cars or in
public places. Sometimes they sleep in parks or under bridges. They beg for money on the streets. The county
does not like having homeless people living on the streets. It is not safe for the public or the homeless people.
Being homeless can be harmful to a person's health. It is not healthy to live on the street. Some cities provide
shelters for these people. But the shelters are usually very crowded. Sometimes the shelters are not safe.
Homeless people are often sick. In shelters, they can spread their illness to others.
Shelters can provide beds, but they can't meet all the needs of the homeless people. The homeless often have
many other problems. Some homeless people have mental illness. Some are addicted to drugs. Some are
alcoholics. Some have lost their families.
One city has decided to help end the problem. City leaders have developed a plan. The plan has two parts.
Leaders think the plan will take ten years to work.
The first part of the plan will focus on housing. The city will provide stable housing. Clean, safe apartments will
be rented to homeless people. Then the homeless won't have to live in crowded shelters. No one will be denied
an apartment. These apartments are located in an apartment complex in the county. The manager of the
complex is a success story. He was once homeless.
The second part of the plan will help homeless people in other ways. Some services will help them find a job.
Classes will teach them special skills, and how to keep their job. The plan will also provide mental health
services. This will help the clients become healthy enough to live a normal life.
There have been many plans to help the homeless. Most plans require that people are healthy. They cannot be
addicted to drugs. That is not possible for many. This plan is different. It gives them an apartment while they are
getting sober. Then they have a better chance at ending their drug habit.
The mayor hopes that state funding will be given to the county to help with this plan. Local leaders hope federal
aid will also help them put their plan into action. Many homeless people will be given a chance at a new life.

 2 Housing Plan to End Homelessness — Full Story

Sacramento leaders unveiled a 10-year plan Monday to end chronic homelessness in the county.
The blueprint is based on similar models in more than 200 other cities nationwide that focus on providing stable
housing first, then following with supportive services.
"It's the housing first model, and then we're hoping to deal with their problems, whether it's alcoholism or drug
addiction or mental illness requiring medication," explained Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo. "It's the housing
first model as opposed to get your act together and we'll try to find you a house."
The non-profit group Turning Point operates an apartment complex in Sacramento County under the
housing-first premise. Turning Point first provides a clean, safe apartment to homeless individuals. Then there
are rehabilitation and employment services to help the person stay off of the street. The apartment complex's
manager is one of its success stories. Joel Arteaga-Novoa was formerly homeless. "In addition to providing
shelter, they do provide you service in finding you jobs," he said. "They have an on-site job program to kind of
develop skills and improve your skills."
Fargo said funding for current programs addressing homelessness will be re-directed to the new plan. Local
leaders also hope to tap in state and federal aid.
Both the Sacramento City Council and the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors are expected to vote on
the plan at their Tuesday meetings.
There are an estimated 1,700 chronic homeless in Sacramento County. An estimated 11,100 are homeless at
some time during the year, according to county figures.

 3 addicted

depending on something harmful, such as a drug

 4 afford

be able to pay for something

 5 complex

a building of connected rooms or apartments

 6 denied

refused to give or provide something

 7 federal

having to do with national government

 8 focus

the area of greatest attention or activity

 9 harmful

dangerous, causing harm

 10 mental

having to do with the mind and emotions

 11 provide

give what is needed, supply

 12 stable

unchanging, steady

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