UCSF Benioff Homelessness & Housing Initiative

We’re broadening our reach and making it easier for you to connect with us! 📍 Now on Blue Sky Be part of the conversation and stay informed. Join us here: 🦋 Bluesky: https://bit.ly/BHHIbluesky 📬 Newsletter: bit.ly/BHHInews

Why is research critical to ending homelessness? 👉 Data helps drive change. We can't address homelessness effectively without understanding what's causing it, what people are experiencing, and what's keeping them from accessing housing. Our research provides the evidence policymakers need to invest in proven solutions. 👉 Housing is essential for care. Stable housing is crucial for addressing complex health issues like mental health and substance use disorders. To help people get and stay well, housing must be part of the solution—but there isn’t enough for everyone. 🤝About our field research: Respectful engagement matters. Our researchers follow best practices co-developed with our lived expertise advisory board. Participation in studies is always voluntary, and in some studies, we offer small gift cards to honor people’s time. While we don’t provide direct services, our work helps build the foundation for long-term, systemic solutions.

“We need to bring people inside using a coordinated, multi-system strategy – not through sweeps,” says Dr. Margot Kushel MD. Learn more about unsheltered homelessness, how we can solve it long-term, and what communities can do now to resolve encampments: https://lnkd.in/gn4eUwte

"Everyone talks about the cost of housing people, but no one talks about the cost of leaving people behind," said Dr. Margot Kushel MD, in response to a recent CDC report on B. quintana cases among people experiencing homelessness. This stark reminder underscores the urgent need for solutions that address both immediate health risks and systemic challenges. Our Encampment Resolution tools offer actionable strategies to reduce public health risks while supporting humane and effective responses to unsheltered homelessness. By prioritizing encampments with high health concerns and implementing mitigation measures like access to hygiene facilities, pest control, and onsite medical outreach, these tools help communities tackle pressing health threats. At the same time, they promote long-term solutions that advance housing justice and health equity. 📰 Read The Washington Post article: https://lnkd.in/gfJF7dTS 📘 View our encampment resources: https://lnkd.in/gn4eUwte

Living outdoors is devastating for people experiencing homelessness and presents challenges for communities. Sweeps without adequate support and resources don't help. ➡️ Prioritizing housing solutions and systemic reforms over displacement is key to making real progress in reducing homelessness. Check out our new tools for evidence-based encampment resolution, designed to help jurisdictions address encampments amidst the shortage of housing and shelter resources. Download the tools: https://lnkd.in/gn4eUwte

In 2023, a record 22 million renter households spent over 30% of their income on housing. Rents rose faster than incomes, making it tougher for renters to keep up with rising costs. https://lnkd.in/e9GRH9JE

🏠 The 2024 Election and the Future of Housing Justice "As the nation anticipates shifts in homelessness policy and funding following the 2024 election, it is more important than ever to ground our responses in evidence and compassion," says BHHI Director Dr. Margot Kushel MD. "Homelessness is solvable, but solving it requires a commitment to addressing root causes—particularly through expanding affordable housing and support services for those most impacted by the housing crisis." "The potential policy changes may present new obstacles for individuals and communities already vulnerable to housing insecurity and discrimination, including those experiencing homelessness; Black, Latino/a/x, Indigenous, Muslim, Arab, trans and queer youth; immigrants; refugees; and other historically marginalized communities. BHHI remains committed to supporting these groups and providing policymakers with the evidence needed to create effective, equitable solutions that address structural injustices." Join us on December 11 for our Election 2024 Webinar, where we’ll explore these pressing challenges, the impact of potential policy shifts, and strategies for advancing housing justice in a changing political environment. 🗓️ Date: December 11, 2024 ⏰ Time: 12–1 PM PST 🔗 Register: https://lnkd.in/gabRwayJ Read Dr. Kushel's full statement: https://lnkd.in/gV-ggywk

"'Every time someone gets swept, it just sets us back like 10 steps,' said Duke Reiss, a peer support specialist at Blanchet House in Portland...'It makes it almost impossible to get people help because everything requires documentation.'" https://lnkd.in/gqtRqHkH

“Displacement costs more than a lot of other strategies,” says BHHI Policy Director Marc Dones, adding that converting those funds into things like short-term rental assistance would help far more people. Learn how communities can connect unsheltered people to stable housing instead of relying on costly displacement: https://lnkd.in/gn4eUwte. https://lnkd.in/gensyc_j California Health Care Foundation

📢 Election 2024: What Does it Mean for Homelessness in California and Beyond? Join the UCSF Benioff Homelessness & Housing Initiative for an in-depth webinar on the 2024 election's impact on homelessness across the West Coast and beyond. This discussion will feature insights from leading experts: Marc Dones – Policy Director, Benioff Homelessness & Housing Initiative Ann Oliva – CEO, National Alliance to End Homelessness Chione Flegal – Executive Director, Housing California More to come... Together, they'll examine potential policy shifts, challenges in evidence-based service delivery amid a charged political climate, and strategies to keep advancing effective solutions. 🗓 Date: Dec. 11, 2024 ⏰ Time: 12PM-1PM PST Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the path forward for impactful homelessness solutions. 🔗 Register: https://lnkd.in/gabRwayJ #Homelessness #Election2024 #Policy #HousingFirst #UCSF