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Homeless Alliance has developed an innovative program to help homeless people who want help. Basically, instead of handing panhandlers cash, you would purchase bus vouchers and hand them a bus voucher so they can receive help at the WestTown Campus dedicated to taking a comprehensive approach to fighting homelessness in OKC
In response to increased perception of panhandling, Downtown OKC approached the Homeless Alliance for assistance in 2005. Although research revealed that most panhandlers—almost 80% – were not actually homeless, the Homeless Alliance developed a plan to address the problem.
The result: an initiative that solves multiple problems.
Here’s how it works: First, you purchase a book of 5 vouchers for $5. When approached by a panhandler, give them a voucher instead of $1.
Each voucher includes information on the downtown homeless shelters and a bus ticket to get there. If the person is truly in need the voucher is better than $1, and if not, the voucher isn’t very attractive.
In response to increased perception of panhandling, Downtown OKC approached the Homeless Alliance for assistance in 2005. Although research revealed that most panhandlers—almost 80% – were not actually homeless, the Homeless Alliance developed a plan to address the problem.
The result: an initiative that solves multiple problems.
- Some panhandlers are homeless and genuinely need help. We want to help them.
- Panhandlers may be seeking money to purchase drugs or alcohol. We want to show this group that we don’t support those behaviors in OKC.
- Residents of OKC are charitably minded. We need a way to help without enabling unhealthy behavior.
Here’s how it works: First, you purchase a book of 5 vouchers for $5. When approached by a panhandler, give them a voucher instead of $1.
Each voucher includes information on the downtown homeless shelters and a bus ticket to get there. If the person is truly in need the voucher is better than $1, and if not, the voucher isn’t very attractive.
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