Local Issues and Insights: Homelessness (March 2010)
We asked Steve Werthman, Director of Program Development at the Shepherd’s Way, for his insight into what is happening in South Florida’s homeless community and how partnerships are forming to address their needs. Steve joined TSW recently after many years as the Homeless Initiative Partnership Administrator with Broward County Government.

What is the biggest current challenge facing the local homeless population?
As always it's social connectedness. Despite the wide variety of needs facing homeless people in general, the one thing they all seem to have in common is being isolated, especially from healthy relationships. Unfortunately, the homeless population is growing as a result of the poor economy and other factors, and there is more competition for limited shelter beds and affordable housing opportunities. 
 
What is the biggest current challenge facing the organizations that serve this population?
At the same time that need is increasing, options for housing, shelter and other services are becoming scarcer. It is like burning a candle at both ends. Organizations that serve the homeless are increasingly challenged to come up with creative ways to provide housing and to create the “social capital” to help end the isolation that the homeless experience, even after they are housed. 
 
In the past year or so, how have you seen public/private partnerships change for the better, in terms of finding common ground/common mission to come together to serve the homeless?
In Broward County, we have been steadily moving from competition between organizations, to cooperation and increasingly toward collaboration. This trend has been true of not-for-profits, government agencies like the VA, and the Christian community. Ongoing discussions are being held with local area pastors about this issue, including the group hosted by the CCFSF, and coalition building is a constant theme. I have been working here with the homeless and with churches for 20 years and this is new and encouraging. 
 
What is the next important step / action that has to take place to move service to the homeless up to the next level and help combat / resolve the problem?
As government funds are getting scarcer, I am seeing churches and Christians stepping up more than ever. It's exciting. There are huge untapped resources in our congregations, not only to do “nuts and bolts” things like acquire and renovate foreclosed homes and buildings to create more affordable housing, but also for groups of Christians to mentor homeless families and individuals. That mentoring might be the most important to end the disconnect and welcome these “outcasts” and orphans into community and teach them ways of living successfully that they were never taught before. Working together, churches can have an impact on homelessness that will get attention. It will be a witness and it will change how many of us perceive what it means to be the church.