Straughan: "...many first need a stable enivironment ... "
Oklahoma City has about 230 chronically homeless individuals, most of whom deal with mental illness, substance abuse or other issues. That's according to Homeless Alliance Director Dan Straughan.
"Instead of leaving a chronically ill person on the street, to die there, you can put them into housing and save money hand over fist," Straughan told KTOK.
He says Oklahoma City spends about $28 million per year on homelessness through shelters, and community service.
Straughan says by putting chronically ill people in homes with help from the Oklahoma City Housing Authority, the city can save at least $6 million each year.
He said Oklahoma City is the 102nd community to join the national 100,000 Homes Campaign, a nationwide program to permanently house the most vulnerable homeless citizens.
