We agree with Jeff that it comes to the emphasis on accessible, affordable, community-based housing. We know this from our experience, and we heard it from our partner agencies, including those who provide shelters or second-stage shelters.
I don't want to call it a caveat, but I cannot think of any other word to say it. I would probably leave with you that there is a time and place for shelters. We agree with Jeff that they should not be the exclusive focus, but they do have a place—a role to play. They have to be extremely temporary. We don't like to see women staying in second-stage shelters for nine months when we know that once whatever issue is addressed they could be moving on in a month or two. We do see them as an important part of that continuum, but as a very temporary, perhaps band-aid, short-term solution. Once that immediate danger is addressed, we need to move women very quickly from the shelter situation or the second-stage housing—which is really a shelter—into permanent, supportive, affordable housing.