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With the promise of economic growth and new opportunities in central New York, such as Micron’s coming semiconductor fabrication plant in Clay, what will happen to those still facing poverty or homelessness in Syracuse who may never reap the benefits? Rather than relying solely on nonprofits that only have access to limited resources and funding, responsibility for aiding the unhoused should be shared with the community, local leaders and investors.

In central New York, the rate of homelessness has increased by 40% since 2021 and is expected to continue to rise. Many of these residents have reported that they are full-time employees, yet they are unable to find affordable housing.

New economic development also limits the accessibility of the resources aimed to help the homeless. Places meant to benefit the unhoused or those facing unemployment are located in central urban areas that have experienced significant changes due to gentrification efforts. The Syracuse Rescue Mission, for example, is within walking distance of downtown Syracuse and the Centro Hub. However, these areas are also targets for anti-homeless architecture impacted by the level of “visible homelessness,” meaning that the homeless population in an urban area is visible and thus a concern to cities seeking economic rejuvenation. Coupled with the moves to eliminate the presence of homelessness, organizations that intend to assist unhoused people are not as effective as they should be.

Gentrification is not just defined by the arrival of new businesses and economic development. It refers to the displacement of the original residents that occurs after the arrival of new developments. If homeless people are already more prone to the negative effects of gentrification, their odds of displacement are higher. Housing instability is already a primary reason why many in Syracuse have become homeless, and without immediate action, this will only widen the gap between those experiencing homelessness and those privileged enough to secure housing.

Hailey Hoang | Design Editor

Policies aren’t effective if they don’t address the issue immediately and proactively combat the causes of homelessness in the future. Preventative actions embedded in policy can effectively address a community crisis in the long term. This includes creating more affordable housing, equal access to healthcare, education and job opportunities, as well as addressing systemic issues that contribute to economic inequity.

These implementations should be made before major economic changes and programs arrive in Syracuse to ensure that inequality and the marginalization of vulnerable populations are not exacerbated.

After Oswego County experienced a 30% increase in homelessness, the city of Oswego’s Mayor Barlow had a solution to criminalize homelessness through legislation. The bill enforces closing local parks after sunset, banning temporary encampments and allowing for a police officer to issue a $100 fine, or send the lawbreaker to jail for up to 15 days. The New York Secretary of State’s office must approve the law before it is enforced.

While its implementation is meant to “get ahead of the curve,” it does not address any of the root issues that cause homelessness. There is no inclusion of helping people once they are detained, a consideration that a homeless person may not be able to afford a $100 fine or ways to combat local nonprofits being at full capacity, all of which need to be considered.

Several nonprofits focus on providing support to the community in Syracuse, which includes homelessness initiatives. But without access to funding, resources or enough staff, they face limited bandwidth, resulting in those who rely on them being turned away. A previous delay in federal funding for nonprofits focused on community programs and housing initiatives forced some of their recipients to take out loans, which made programming for the community more expensive and pushed for nonprofit leaders to make cutbacks on payments or personally buy supplies.

These challenges are even more pronounced in organizations serving the homeless population, where the need for food, housing and intervention plans for drug abuse is critical. Though the largest homeless shelter in the city, the Syracuse Rescue Mission faces increasing pressure as it acts as a central hub for those seeking support.

Its mission is not only to provide shelter but also to equip individuals with the tools, resources and plans to transition out of homelessness. However, the struggles with drug use, mental health and crime outside the shelter highlight the broader systemic challenges that require more comprehensive support from both local leadership and the community.

Criminalizing homelessness is not the solution Syracuse needs, especially when those in leadership have a responsibility to act in the best interests of all their constituents. In an ideal world, this courtesy would also be extended to those in poverty and facing homelessness.

Instead of punishing those who are already vulnerable, we should learn from the missteps of places like Oswego and take a more compassionate approach. Homelessness is not a crime, but a crisis rooted in systemic issues. Holding space to keep in mind the influx of people, property value increase and a need for more public resources can better ensure residents can adjust or be able to continue to afford to live in a place they call home. Everyone deserves the dignity of a place to live, not the threat of displacement.

Sarhia Rahim is a senior policy studies major. Her column appears bi-weekly. She can be reached at slrahim@syr.edu.

Published on September 8, 2024 at 10:48 pm