Show notes
Dr. Sandie Morgan and Dave Stachowiak are joined by Larry Haynes to discuss effective models and attitudes to end homelessness. Larry is the Executive Director at Mercy House with over 30 years of experience working to end homelessness.
Key Points
Changing the perspective of actions surrounding homelessness from charitable to systemic change in order to make a societal difference.
The difference between a shelter and housing extends more than just the period of time but includes more rights that extend beyond socioeconomic lines.
Academic studies have exhibited that "It costs society more in actual dollars to just walk past a person and let them decompose in the street than it does to simply subsidize their housing for the rest of their life."
There are more challenges in housing the Transitional Age Youth (TAY) population, but Larry discusses some key systems that can create a positive outcome.
Resources
Mercy House
UCI Study
Are you enjoying the show?
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to subscribe or rate the podcast on iTunes by clicking here. Click here for FAQs about podcasts and how to subscribe.
Haven’t been receiving our newsletter? Visit our homepage to join today.
Contact us with questions, comments, or suggestions at [email protected].
Transcript
Dave [00:00:00] You're listening to the Ending Human Trafficking podcast. This is episode number 212 - Can We Really End Homelessness?
Production Credits [00:00:09] Produced by Innovate Learning, Maximizing Human Potential.
Dave [00:00:31] Welcome to the Ending Human Trafficking podcast. My name is Dave Stachowiak.
Sandie [00:00:37] And my name is Sandie Morgan.
Dave [00:00:40] And this is the show where we empower you to study the issues, be a voice, and make a difference in ending human trafficking. Sandie, we have talked about the topic of homelessness many times on this show because there are so many connections, of course, to human trafficking. And today, we are so glad to be able to welcome a longtime friend of the Global Center for Women and Justice, and someone who is just really an expert on this issue. I know he's going to teach us so much. I'm glad to welcome Larry Haynes to the show today. He is a longtime homeless advocate and executive director of Mercy House. Mercy House is a shelter and housing organization spanning throughout Southern California and parts of Arizona. Larry was also a former adjunct professor at Vanguard University and former lay preacher at Trinity Episcopal Church in Orange, California. Larry, we're so glad to welcome you to the show.
Larry [00:01:38] Oh, it's great to be here. Thanks for having me, guys.
Sandie [00:01:40] Well, and I'm excited because Mercy House was recognized at our Priceless event as the organization receiving our Diamond Award. And Larry was the representative to accept that award. I've known Larry since I came to Vanguard, I trust his leadership. He was on our very first advisory board to keep the center going during some very lean times. So, if we get a little emotional, everybody, this is a really fun bonding time. So, let us start off with how long have you been working to end homelessness, Larry?
Larry [00:02:19] Well, so I actually started in 1988, so a little over 30 years. And I started at Mercy House, I'm not its founder, but I am its original employee. And I started at Mercy House in 1990, so this next year, we'll be celebrating my 30th year as the executive director of Mercy House
Sandie [00:02:36] Congratulations.
Larry [00:02:38] Thanks, thanks very much.
Sandie [00:02:39] So, what have you seen happen in those 30 years in how you address homelessness?
Larry [00:02:48] Well, you know, I think there's a lot that's changed, right? Everybody thinks they know how to help because intuitively, you see somebody homeless, you think of shelter, or food kitchen, or you know, that sort of thing.