March 12, 2025
Dear Mayor and Council,
I’d like to take a moment to debunk the myth that “interim” is a bad word.
When students finish high school, many go on to college, trade school, or job training. For most, this is an interim period between childhood and independent adulthood—and we celebrate and encourage this step.
Similarly, when someone leaves a position, an interim person is often appointed until a permanent replacement can be found. We don’t view this as negative; rather, we see it as part of the natural process.
"Interim" simply means the space between.
Interim housing represents the space between having no roof over your head and having one of your own—a door that locks, a private bathroom with clean running water, a private shower, and a toilet that flushes.
I’ve had the opportunity to visit the interim housing facilities at Rue Ferrari, and I can say that the rooms are clean, comfortable, and private. They have windows and locking doors—nicer and cleaner than many dorms or apartments I’ve seen.
Yet, somehow, interim housing is often treated as a punishment. It is not. It is an opportunity to bridge the gap between homelessness and having a permanent home.
The wrap-around services offered at these facilities are comprehensive, and in my opinion, the challenge lies in the lack of a mandate for residents to engage with those services. If we want individuals to gain the skills and resources necessary for new opportunities, sometimes a gentle nudge, like encouraging attendance to classes, can make all the difference.
In a crisis, we must address the most critical issues first and move forward as quickly as is safely possible.
Right now, our most urgent concern is the number of people living on our streets, in creeks, and in parks.
Interim housing provides a safe, cost-effective place for people to sleep at night and store their belongings.
Interim housing is, in fact, affordable housing. Some might even argue that it’s one of the most affordable options available.
We must stop getting bogged down in the nuances and instead focus on coming together to solve our city’s issues. This is how we will build a thriving city where businesses, residents, and visitors feel safe.
We won’t be able to grow our economy and build larger-scale affordable housing without first making our city a welcoming place to live, work, and play.
I’m greatly encouraged by the number of unanimous votes we’ve seen recently from you, our Mayor and Council. Not because I think you should always agree—healthy debate is important—but because these votes signal to us, the voters, that you’re working together for the greater good of our community.
Let’s make ending homelessness a unanimous effort as well!
Sincerely,
Kelsey Colson
D9 Resident