b'Its time to rebuild our approach. clear: Housing First, as it has been implemented, Give three timesyou create expectation. has not achieved its intended outcomes. Give four timesit becomes an entitlement. President Trumps executive order of July 24, Give five timesyou establish dependency. 2025, Ending Crime and Disorder on Americas Streets, recognizes this failure and calls for a boldThis cycle can undermine the very agency and new direction. A successful strategy must goself-worth we aim to cultivate. beyond providing housing; it must also addressInstead, our aim must be life transformation. the root causes of homelessnesssuch asAs Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:17, If anyone addiction, mental illness, trauma, and poverty is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old through holistic and integrated, wraparoundhas gone, the new is here! Our ministries must services. Its time to rebuild our approach withreflect this, not merely offering relief but pointing comprehensive, person-centered care at its core.to the reset button of redemption. We must ask: Are we helping people flourish, or are we simply making homelessness moreA holistic, wraparound model comfortable? Could it be that we are enabling it?T he biblical model of healing involves the One Housing First expert recently said to me,whole person. Jesus didnt just heal bod-Id rather see someone die of an overdose in anies; He restored relationships, affirmed apartment than on the street. He saw that asdignity, and called people into community. compassion. But I say, THEY DONT HAVETransformation is a life change. TO DIE! To fight the battle of homelessness, ourHolistic, trauma-informed care includes: services need to be person centered, not problem concentrated. They must be a complete contin-Mental health counseling: Addressing uum of care.underlying psychological wounds. Beyond emergency services: Addiction recovery: Providing structured, embracing life transformationChrist-centered recovery paths. T here is a difference between rescue and Workforce development: Equipping individu-restoration. Emergency services such asals for self-sufficiency and purpose. food, shelter, and clothing are essential Spiritual formation: Guiding people into first steps, but they are not enough. As Roberta transformative relationship with Jesus. Lupton argues in Toxic Charity (2011), well-intentioned aid can disempower recipients whenThis multidimensional approach stands in stark it fosters dependency rather than dignity. Hiscontrast to the sterile housing-only models. The progression of giving outlines the risk:most effective strategy for ending homelessnessGive onceyou elicit appreciation.must not simply treat the symptoms but seek toGive twiceyou create anticipation.heal the soul. Continued on page 40\x02NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2025 WWW.CITYGATENETWORK.ORG 37'