Policy Analysis: Homelessness

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Table of Contents

Problem Identification
Policy Solution and Alternatives
Process Activities
Policy Analysis and Evaluation
References

Problem Identification

The term refers to a state of affairs whereby some members of society do not have places they can call home. Such individuals survive through assistance from government and well-wishers. Homelessness is associated with so many societal evils, which calls for immediate solution. The public, as well as government, is endangered with the issue of homeless.

Policy makers in government and in private sectors must come up with ways of solving the problem completely since they are both affected. The private sector suffers from insecurity and other forms of crime while the government is unable to design a viable budget for the country. Many factors cause homelessness but this paper will highlight some of the consequences.

The effects are so severe hence calling for sound policies that can bring relief to the public. People who stay in the cold are vulnerable to diseases such as tuberculosis, skin diseases and nutritional deficiencies. This leads to overspending of resources in curing such complexities.

Furthermore, life in the streets is brutal meaning that physical attacks and muggings are prevalent. Such attacks affect the well-being of society, for instance women are exposed to sexual assault while children are taken through inhuman processes.

It is therefore true that homelessness is a serious issue that needs to be tackled with gravity. This paper identifies some of the solutions to the problem and analyzes the viability of each solution. It is identified that policy analysis is an important aspect of any project. Homelessness needs policies that are practical that is, attainable. Such policies can only be achieved through proper analysis.

Policy Solution and Alternatives

There are a number of solutions to the problem of homelessness such as political, perceptual and personal solutions. Perceptual policy is more costly and time consuming because it relates to changing the views of members of society. As an alternative, the policy is applicable only after solving political problems.

Personality policy is another alternative to the problem but it is more specific meaning that individuals themselves can come up with ideas on how to improve their lives. Community-based organizations can help individuals accomplish personal missions. Political solutions are more important because they consist of governmental action. It is about coming up with sound policies that aim at eliminating the problem.

It takes place in government that is, in the legislature, judiciary or executive. In this paper, more emphasis will be put on the executive branch because it is concerned with public policy.

The government must come up with policies that guarantee affordable housing, timely prevention and rapid re-housing plans, all-inclusive mental health services and increased social help (Drake, 2002). Policy makers from government are the only officers charged with designing all public programs.

Process Activities

There are some steps followed in designing policies both in government and in the private sector. Six steps must be followed keenly when creating or formulating a public policy. The first step would be to classify general understandings and fundamental regulations for working together. Any solution to homelessness would involve cooperation among various stakeholders, both in government and private sectors.

All parties involved in solving the problem must understand some concepts. Second step pertains to laying the groundwork. Each party or stakeholder should be informed his/her role and responsibility. Existing gaps must be sealed through consensus meaning that differences must be sorted out before setting up the project.

As it is has always been the case, information is power. Policy formulators cannot do much unless enough data is provided. This means that some research on the problem is very important for project prosperity. Without funding, the policy is bound to fail. Sources of funding should be identified in advance and each department allocated sufficient capital and human resources.

The fourth step is more practical because it pertains to execution policy execution. Policy makers at this stage must build strategies and work plans to guide the project. For efficient participation in public policy process, all stakeholders, mainly communities that are new to the project, should sketch their model in advance.

Typical processes should as well be staged to enlighten each group of what to anticipate, and of what is required of them in terms of contribution to the process. After clear coordination of activities, it is now appropriate for policy makers to put strategies and processes into action. Joint ventures demand that all parties must adhere to the set standards and processes. Each office must strive to deliver the best results.

The last stage is the most important because it gives feedback to policy makers. The stage is crucial in determining the success of the project.

The stage is evaluation of joint process and measuring outcomes. Through evaluation, policy makers can identify what has been working and what needs to be adjusted in order to eliminate homelessness (Kraft, & Furlong, 2010). In this stage, agreements made by stakeholders are closely monitored and assessed.

Policy Analysis and Evaluation

Evaluating a policy is important because it gives policy makers a clear picture of what should be done and what have been achieved. Through evaluation, policy formulators identify the strengths and weaknesses of a particular policy. Resources could be wasted without policy evaluation. Policy makers can decide to move on with project implementation or put it on hold depending on performance.

It is true that evaluation saves resources and avoids unnecessary wastages that can happen due to ignorance. Projects aiming at solving public issues are usually sensitive because they are prone to misappropriation and embezzlement.

It is only through evaluation that policy makers can account for each cent spent in the project. Since homelessness is a wide issue, solving it without proper assessment would result to more problems. Evaluation generates more data that can be utilized in answering questions related to homelessness.

Scholars have formulated several theories and techniques for policy analysis. Herbert Simon came up with rational theory in 1976, to explain how policy makers ought to make public policies (Herbert, 1976). The theory is applied in systems that are stable such as government. Furthermore, the issue of homelessness is neither ambiguous nor limited in expensive hence the theory can be employed in analyzing the policy.

It has some processes such as gathering data, identifying the real problem, which is homelessness in this case, assessing the consequences of alternatives such as personal, political and perceptional, and finally choosing the most preferred option, which is political action in this paper.

An important feature in analyzing policies is identifying decision criteria. This entails identifying factors that must be considered when designing policies. Some factors must be considered in making homelessness policies such as politics, accountability, socio-cultural factors, legitimacy, uncertainties, availability of resources and environmental effects.

Politicization of policymaking process may lead to delays and failures in the implementation stage. Policy makers must therefore be aware of decision criteria and prepare for it amply. Policy makers can eliminate some decision criteria such as environment impacts, but others cannot be abolished.

There are also various types of evaluation techniques that can be utilized in analyzing outcomes. The first type of evaluation is referred to as purely formal evaluation. It entails examining every day or routine tasks. This type of evaluation poses some questions as regards to completion of tasks and conformity to set rules and standards. Answers to these questions are evaluated carefully and corrective measures are taken immediately.

Another evaluation technique is client satisfaction evaluation (Radin, 2000). This type actually seeks to know whether employees understand their roles and responsibilities. Sometimes, projects fail because employees are not familiar to the beneficiaries of the project.

Furthermore, client satisfaction evaluation aspires to know whether the targeted group is satisfied with the way a program is being implemented. Once more, responses to these questions are carefully scrutinized and acted upon.

Outcomes checklist form of evaluation is concerned with measuring the number of goals and objectives realized. It is useful because not all goals are met at the same time. Others take time to be accomplished hence it is necessary to identify the ones achieved.

Expense and effectiveness is another form of evaluation employed by policy makers in measuring the costs and the effects of a particular program. Policy makers think about the possible thing that could have happened without the policy. Did the program achieve its desired objectives? This question is important in policy implementation in public sector.

References

Drake, H. (2002). Constantine and the Bishops: The Politics of Intolerance. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.

Herbert, S. (1976). Administrative Behavior (3rd ed.). New York, NY: The Free Press.

Kraft, M., & Furlong, R. (2010). Public Policy: Politics, Analysis, and Alternatives (3rd ed.). New York, NY: CQ Press.

Radin, B. (2000). Beyond Machiavelli: Policy Analysis Comes of Age. Georgetown: Georgetown University Press.

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