Kimberly Harrell, Plymouth building coordinator (and resident of Washington’s 34th legislative district) was asked by her district’s Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Day delegation to share a story illustrating the importance of the policies and funding that make Plymouth’s work possible.
When the 34th district delegation met with Rep. Eileen Cody of the 34th, Kimberly was prepared. Here’s what she said:
“First, I would like to thank you again for all the hard work you do for the chronically homeless, for mental illness, and for the agency I am very proud to work for.
I would like to speak to you about one of my residents, who was once a homeless vet. This particular resident I am speaking about lives in our recovery-based building. He suffers from memory loss and PTSD, and he undergoes electric shock treatment.
If it was not for the funding and the continuing support you give to this resident, he would be dealing with his memory loss and multiple mental illnesses while homeless and on the streets.
So I am asking and pleading with you that you please continue to support the chronically homeless…and to remember people cannot improve their lives until they have a safe, affordable, and stable place to live.
Thank you.”
Kimberly (at right) presenting to Rep. Eileen Cody (at left) in Olympia on Housing & Homelessness Advocacy Day. Photo by Shari Kooistra.
Rep. Cody listened attentively, and followed up by sharing how important this information was to her efforts to gain support from other lawmakers for mental health system reform. She noted that other lawmakers were often supportive of the idea, but their concerns about costs raised obstacles to progress.
Kimberly and her Plymouth colleagues were able to help Rep. Cody by summarizing data on the remarkable public cost savings of Plymouth’s permanent supportive housing compared to alternatives (such as jails and hospital stays) for people coping with mental illness while surviving on the streets.
Rep. Cody responded, “That’s exactly the kind of data I need. Can you send that to me?”
We did. (And here it is: PHG Mental Health Infographic 2014)
Way to go, Kimberly! And a big thank you to Representative Cody for making time to hear from all of her 34th district housing champions.