Individual Position Statement

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Oregon State University, Corvallis *

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313

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Philosophy

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May 21, 2024

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docx

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BA|DSGN313 The Orange and Black Ethics Competition Individual Position Statement As a team, your task this term is to take a stance on the issue of homelessness in your community, specifically the implementation of a temporary alternative shelter site nearby your business location. In developing your stance on the proposal, your team must put your stake in the ground for what you believe, back up your beliefs with evidence, and have well-founded knowledge on the impacts of your decision, both the good and the bad. Essentially, your job is to develop a persuasive argument, grounded in both evidence and empathy. Being able to argue well means you need to think critically. Argumentation is not just two (or more) people talking about their opinions and feelings, consistently restating their beliefs with an unwillingness to listen to the other side. Instead, argumentation is when two or more people make arguments – claims backed by reasons that are supported by evidence – and responding to one another and modifying or defending their positions accordingly. To aid your team in the development of your argument (and presentation), each person will conduct independent research on the topic, diving into the initial research on like initiatives around the country, thinking through the considerations for your business, and developing an initial stance on the proposal and the argument behind that stance. This worksheet contains the following:  Part 1: Initial Research  Part 2: Business Considerations  Part 3: Your Stance & Top Claims  Part 4: Reasoning & Evidence Assignment Expectations:  This worksheet should be completed individually .  Only after you complete this assignment should your team come together to share research and ideas and conclude your team’s collective stance on the proposed location. o Your argument (and therefore presentation) will be stronger if you challenge one another’s thinking along the way and limit groupthink in your initial work. Tip: Review the information provided in the Self-Paced Lecture: Elements of Persuasion on Canvas. While reviewed again throughout this assignment, the Nearpod presentation talks you through the various components of making your case.

Part 1: Initial Research Even if you have a gut reaction to the proposed location for the temporary alternative shelter site, it’s important that you engage in research on both sides of the argument – ones that would favor the implementation of such a village and ones that would oppose it. In your research, look for similar initiatives around the country. While new to Portland, the idea of temporary, managed, outdoor shelters is not new. What have other cities or municipalities encountered in their work to end homelessness? What challenges have they faced? What successes have they had? Consider news articles as well as academic papers researching the topic of homelessness. Fill in the chart below with your initial research. Research Favoring Temp Alternative Shelter Sites Research Opposing Temp Alternative Shelter Sites Key Findings Link to Source Key Findings Link to Source  Clinton Triangle in Portland has less barriers to encourage more people to seek help. It allows people to stay with their pets and partners, they can come and go as they please, and they are not required to stay sober. They also knock on the guest’s door to perform wellness checks though out the day. This has prevented overdoses.  Clinton Triangle has been unable to provide next steps for residents. There is limited space in permanent housing and not a lot of room in local drug treatment facilities. While they did just figure out a way to get money to house 52 people, they have been out of money for months now and have no plan for after the new money runs out. They are trying to find new ways to earn money to stop this problem.  Urban Alchemy took over the contract for Clinton Triangle. They hire people who have lived experiences with addiction, homelessness, and incarceration. Because of this, homeless people relate more to the workers. https:// www.opb.org/ article/ 2024/04/11/ portland-low- barrier-shelter- clinton-triangle/  Businesses in downtown Portland are not happy being located close to homeless service buildings because brings the threat of violence and drug use.  Many businesses have lost long-term clients because of the homeless people that are around their business waiting for the services offered down the way. https:// www.wweek.com/ news/2023/03/01/a- familiar-fight- between- businesses-and- county-officials- over-homeless- services-plays-out- in-portlands-hotel- district/  They provide a safe, secure, and clean place for residents to live while they access https:// www.southeastex  Neighborhoods that are frequented by people experiencing homelessness are https:// azmag.gov/

housing, mental health support, substance use disorder treatment, and other critical resources.  The pods at Clinton Triangle give guests safety, privacy, and warmth, along with other services. Urban Alchemy helps guests create a service plan by entering them into the homeless management information system. This helps them identify the barriers preventing them from getting a house and find ways to get around them. aminer.com/ 2024/03/new- temporary- homeless-site- proves- successful/ perceived as dangerous, dirty areas to avoid, which hurts businesses.  Businesses leaders could try to help by offering jobs or money to help but this could cause them to lose clients who are against homeless people being around. Portals/0/ Documents/ Homelessness/ Business-Forum- on-Regional- Homelessnes- Report.pdf  Motel and village shelters provide private living spaces that support the autonomy, dignity, and safety of clients and lead to better experiences and more positive outcomes than congregate shelters.  Village models are more desirable, can be less expensive, and have a higher success rate for moving an individual into housing. https://phys.org/ news/2024-04- alternative- outcomes-people- experiencing- homelessness.htm l  The reality that the shelter is now not meeting the needs of the homeless and is also hurting local businesses in the immediate area and having financial impacts that reach beyond western Leon County.  A ride down the street reveals homeless people milling about store fronts and intersections, camps on vacant land, sidewalks impassable because of disabled homeless unable to move. The human condition in the area is easily viewed from the confines of a vehicle and tells you the shelter is not working as planned. Many businesses had to close their doors due to lack of customers and the increased risk of dangers for staff. https:// tallahasseereports.c om/2023/10/18/ homeless-shelter- takes-toll-on- small-businesses- local-tax-revenue/  The St. Patrick Center this week opened a new small business incubator and trades training center with a goal of helping the homeless, or those at risk, find stable, good- paying work. It's the only business incubator in the country she knows of that's focused primarily on the homeless.  Rather, the approach is to help people find stable housing and address health issues, and https:// www.cbsnews.co m/news/helping- the-homeless-get- into-business/  We are wasting resources and energy when we create more shelters. Shelters are not the answer.  Shelters are seen as the easy way out for the government to address the homeless problem and this does not get homeless people off the street. Most people don’t want to sleep in a shelter and don’t want to conform to the shelter’s rules because https:// www.neoch.org/ issue-48-articles/ 2012/7/30/shelter- is-not-the- answer.html

then, once approved by a caseworker, train them in new job skills.  The businesses or their vendors work to employ some St. Patrick Center clients. The homeless center is also opening a furniture construction and restoration program onsite. they are so independent.  The money used on shelters can be allocated and put to better use by helping people obtain housing.  Shelter from the elements can be a matter of life or death. The right to shelter is a vital legal protection for homeless individuals, families, and children. Without shelters, homeless people would be at severe risk of death or injuries on the street.  The right to shelter protects thousands of homeless New Yorkers every day. The fundamental legal protections won by Callahan v. Carey and subsequent cases ensure that individuals and families in need have access to shelter from the elements as they regain stability in their lives and seek permanent housing. https:// www.coalitionfor thehomeless.org/ proven-solutions/  People with disabilities or illnesses are more likely to experience homelessness.  Most shelters lack appropriate space or accommodation for people with disabilities.  Many cities like New York, most buildings are old and have a lot of stairs and really big. This makes it really hard to accommodate handicapped people to stay at shelters.  There are not many shelters to accommodate disabilities and a lot of homeless people are disabled and that causes them to continue living on the street. https:// shelterforce.org/ 2023/07/19/why- arent-homeless- shelters- accommodating- people-who-have- disabilities/ Part 2: Business Considerations In your team’s Group Canvas site, you should see a Business Profile. Fill in the information below. What is your team’s business? Flour petals bakery What are the key considerations for your business as you develop a stance on the proposed location? Be specific, indicating why these considerations matter.  We want to keep staff safe from threats or dangers. Our bakers get to the bakery between 4am and 6am every morning and we have two high school students working for us.  Our customers only have street parking, so we want to make sure to keep the sidewalks clean of garbage and people and to prevent their cars from getting broken into.  We have a lot of local regular customers that we don’t want to deter from coming in. Some of our customers find us just by walking around downtown.

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