What is the policy alternative?
What, if any, change(s) in the policy alternative are necessary, and where will they need to occur (local or state)?
Is this policy alternative congruent with social work values? Explain.
What is the feasibility of the alternative policy (political, economic, and administrative)?
Does the policy alternative meet the policy goals (e.g., social equality, redistribution of resources, social work values, and ethics)?
What are the forces that are for the policy? What are the forces that are against the policy?
What policy advocacy skills can be used to support the policy alternative?
How does the policy alternative affect clinical social work practice with clients?
What changes could be made in the policy to support the needs of clients seeking clinical services?
Full Answer Section
Changes to the Policy Alternative
One change that could be made to the policy alternative of providing more affordable housing is to make it more targeted to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. For example, rental subsidies could be prioritized for people who are leaving shelters or who have been recently evicted.
Another change that could be made is to make the policy alternative more comprehensive. This could include providing supportive services to people who are homeless, such as mental health and addiction treatment, job training, and help finding employment.
Local or State Level
The policy alternative of providing more affordable housing could be implemented at the local or state level. Local governments could build public housing units, provide rental subsidies, and change zoning laws to make it easier to build affordable housing. State governments could also provide funding for affordable housing initiatives and provide tax breaks for developers who build affordable housing.
Congruency with Social Work Values
The policy alternative of providing more affordable housing is congruent with social work values. Social work values emphasize the importance of social justice, human rights, and the dignity and worth of all people. Providing more affordable housing would help to ensure that everyone has a safe and affordable place to live.
Feasibility
The policy alternative of providing more affordable housing is feasible from a political, economic, and administrative perspective. There is broad public support for affordable housing, and there are a variety of funding sources available to support affordable housing initiatives. Additionally, there are a number of successful affordable housing programs in place across the country.
Meeting Policy Goals
The policy alternative of providing more affordable housing would help to meet the policy goals of social equality, redistribution of resources, and social work values and ethics. By providing more affordable housing, the government would be helping to ensure that everyone has a safe and affordable place to live. This would help to reduce poverty and inequality, and it would also promote social justice and human rights.
Conclusion
The policy alternative of providing more affordable housing is a viable and effective way to address the issue of homelessness. It is congruent with social work values, it is feasible, and it would help to meet the policy goals of social equality, redistribution of resources, and social work values and ethics.
Sample Answer
Policy Alternative
One policy alternative to address the issue of homelessness is to provide more affordable housing. This could be done through a variety of measures, such as building more public housing, providing rental subsidies to low-income individuals and families, and expanding tax breaks for developers who build affordable housing.