This is one of the most visible problems facing society. We see people experiencing homelessness holding up signs asking for help, we see encampments under freeway overpasses and overloaded shopping carts in alleyways. So, why don’t we often hear our politicians talking more about it? 

Chuck Coughlin says it’s because there are no easy solutions, no quick political wins here. And, in fact, when lawmakers have attempted to get at the root cause of this problem — namely, housing — they’ve often crashed and burned. 

Coughlin is a longtime Arizona political consultant and CEO of GOP consulting firm HighGround. The Show spoke with him more about it all. 

Gage Skidmore/CC BY 2.0

Chuck Coughlin speaks at an Arizona Talks event in 2022.

More stories about homelessness from The Show

• For one business owner, the problems from 'The Zone' haven't gone away yet
  
• Author tells story of doctor who spent career working with homeless people
• How courts are shaping policy on the issue of homelessness
• How substance use disorders impact homelessness
• What it's really like to experience homelessness in Arizona
• Why don’t we often hear politicians talking more about homelessness?
• Housing First model approaches homelessness differently than traditional methods
• This Phoenix mom understands the challenges of homelessness in a way others can't
• A homeless Phoenix man has some ideas for how life could be better