Addressing Homelessness and Mental Health: A Crisis Mount Vernon Can No Longer Ignore
Mount Vernon is facing a growing crisis of homelessness and mental health challenges that demands urgent action. For years, state and county politicians have used our city as a placement center for individuals experiencing homelessness, recovering from addiction, or suffering from mental health issues. While compassion for those in need is essential, this influx has overwhelmed Mount Vernon’s limited resources and placed an undue burden on our community. The failure of current city leadership to address these challenges has left us ill-equipped to provide the services necessary for both the vulnerable populations and the residents of our city.
An Unsustainable Burden
State and county decisions to send a disproportionate number of people in need to Mount Vernon have created a crisis that strains our housing, public safety, and social services systems. Without the proper funding, infrastructure, or planning to accommodate this influx, Mount Vernon residents are left footing the bill—both financially and socially. This has led to increased homelessness on our streets, unaddressed mental health crises, and greater public safety concerns, eroding the quality of life for everyone in our city.
A Wellness Division in Crisis
Several years ago, the Mount Vernon Police Department launched a Wellness Division to tackle the growing mental health and homelessness issues in our city. While the initiative was a step in the right direction, it has since been allowed to languish, becoming an under-equipped and understaffed shell of its original vision. Without the tools, training, or resources needed to make a real impact, the division is now unable to effectively address the pressing mental health and homelessness challenges facing our community.
The Cost of Inaction
The failure to address these issues harms both the individuals in need of services and the broader Mount Vernon community. Homelessness and untreated mental health crises contribute to public safety concerns, strain emergency services, and deter investment in our city. Meanwhile, families and individuals struggling with these challenges are denied the support and dignity they deserve, perpetuating a cycle of neglect and vulnerability.
A Path Forward
As your City Council representative, I will work to:
- Advocate for fair distribution of state and county placements across municipalities to prevent Mount Vernon from bearing an outsized burden.
- Demand funding from state and county governments to support the services required for individuals placed in Mount Vernon, including housing, addiction recovery programs, and mental health services.
- Revitalize and properly fund the Mount Vernon Police Department’s Wellness Division to ensure it has the resources, personnel, and training needed to make a meaningful impact.
- Collaborate with local organizations, faith-based groups, and community leaders to create a network of support for vulnerable populations.
Mount Vernon deserves a comprehensive and compassionate approach to homelessness and mental health—one that provides real solutions without compromising the well-being of our residents or the future of our city. Together, we can demand accountability, build stronger support systems, and restore balance to our community. It’s time for leadership that puts Mount Vernon first.