Andrew Bond MD, MHA, FCFP’s Post

This National Recovery Month, let's look to the data to better understand substance use among people experiencing homelessness: 📈 Many people experiencing homelessness are not heavy substance users and can thrive with minimal support. For those who need more, supportive housing programs have been proven to help folks stay stably housed. ➡️ Read about a program in Santa Clara County that helped 86% of chronically homeless participants stay housed long term: https://lnkd.in/gHWNRGvN 📈 Encampment sweeps make a bad situation worse for people who use drugs, significantly increasing overdose risks and decreasing people's lifespan. ➡️ Learn more: 1. https://lnkd.in/g_r7Kkk2 2. https://lnkd.in/gmDjnXEk Homelessness is solvable. Read our recent CASPEH study for recommendations: https://lnkd.in/gEm44RVT

The population of adults aged 50 and older experiencing homelessness is growing swiftly. According to a report by the UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative, older adults encounter serious health and safety hazards. 91% of older homeless individuals in California lost their most recent stable housing within the state, and 48% became homeless for the first time after turning 50. These individuals frequently endure extended periods of homelessness, along with substantial health issues and past traumas. To learn more about the challenges faced and policy recommendations to support older adults, read the full report: https://lnkd.in/gtsvjKkw

I only read the first paragraph. My thoughts as someone who has invested years advocating and volunteering with the homelessness and unhoused community. The problem is within your structure. For having seating employees in places with power to make decisions with the funds. Who had no clue or experience creating a simple plan and projection to actually get involved with the actual issue. Never the less have CERO COMPASSION for people going through a hardship. Instead $24BILLION that were asigne to help homelessness. California Governor cannot be accountable for. The money is no where to be found. $24BILL CANNOT BE FOUND!!Please make it make sense. Please explain why all the money invested in actual properties. The properties purchase meaning The assets are located in afluentes locations. How’s that gonna work for homeless, how can they afford it Moreover, make sure you investigate all the corruption within all the Nonprofit at least here in Los Angeles. You will find hundreds of people whom have been mistreated and denied help from egocentric employees and seating member of the nonprofits. Nonprofits only make sure they get their fat checks whle doing nothing. I’m so disappointed and I can guarantee you I’m not the only one.

Earlier this week, I appeared on KUSI to discuss San Diego homelessness solutions. To help the unhoused population, I think it is important to offer individualized treatment, so that we can "meet people where they are." I also think we should provide a full continuum of care to those whom are receiving treatment and support. We should make sure the right providers are in place, and that we are paying attention to the right metrics. You can watch the entire segment here: https://bit.ly/4crYm2Y

🚨Decriminalising homelessness isn't just about changing laws; it's about rebuilding lives.🚨 With a staggering 27% increase in homelessness, it's alarming to witness the government's push for legislation that could criminalise those experiencing homelessness. We're amidst a homeless emergency, and such policies showcase a fundamental misunderstanding of the underlying causes of homelessness. Fines and imprisonment only exacerbate the issue; what's truly needed is a robust investment in support services for those without a roof over their heads. While it's good to see MPs campaigning to repeal outdated laws, mere decriminalisation isn't enough. We must ensure that individuals receive the support they need to break free from the cycle of homelessness. Long-term homelessness stems from a myriad of challenges – from trauma and mental health issues to navigating a flawed support system. We've witnessed firsthand the transformative power of tailored support through our Housing First service, offering hope and stability to those in need. With an impressive 86% of Housing First residents maintaining their tenancies, it's evident that compassionate support can change lives. While repealing outdated laws is a step in the right direction, policymakers must also invest in initiatives like Housing First to create lasting change. Let's come together to ensure that everyone has a place to call home and a chance at a brighter future. Read the latest blog from SCT CEO, Tony Chasteauneuf, here: https://lnkd.in/dFB9u5hU #EndHomelessness #PositiveChange #HousingFirst #DecriminaliseHomeless

Today the U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case on whether homelessness can be a crime. The City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson will determine whether a local government can arrest or fine people for sleeping outside when adequate shelter is not available. We and Housing Leadership Council of San Mateo County are here to tell you that criminalization is not a solution to homelessness; it is an outdated, dehumanizing, and counterproductive approach that makes it harder to address this crisis. Criminalization disproportionately harms Black and Indigenous people, who are overly represented among those who experience homelessness due to longstanding, systemic racism in housing and other sectors. If the Supreme Court rules in favor of Grants Pass, it will give states and cities across the country permission to punish people who are forced to sleep outside, even though they have no other safe option. This would make it more difficult for people to exit homelessness and punish people for existing in public in a country that has failed to ensure that everybody has a safe place to sleep. Similar legislation has been introduced at the State and Local levels. Thankfully, CA SB 1011 was struck down just last week in the Public Safety Committee. At the local level, San Mateo has a similar ordinance that passed, criminalizing homelessness in San Mateo County. This is not a solution to people experiencing homelessness and is not a step in the right direction for #HousingJustice. People experiencing homelessness is not a criminal situation. To learn more about people experiencing homelessness, we gathered some movies and resources below: 💡The Soloist: https://okt.to/Qg908D 💡Kaiser Permanente’s The Way Home documentary series: https://okt.to/omqOIG 💡Finland Solved Homelessness: Here’s How (25 min): https://okt.to/fYJLaA 💡From a Tent to a Home: No Longer Homeless (10 minutes): https://okt.to/4ZMGPi Please join us in fighting these pieces of legislation. Follow us to learn more! #TheWorkUWBA

Criminalization is not the solution. Arrests, fines, jail time, and criminal records make it even more difficult for individuals experiencing homelessness to access the affordable housing, health services, and employment necessary to exit homelessness. The affordable housing crisis and the inability to afford housing is the primary cause of homelessness. Nationally, there’s a shortage of 7.3 million homes affordable and available to people with the lowest incomes. These are working families whose wages have not increased at the same rate that rent has increased. Without affordable options, 11.7 million renters pay more than half of their limited incomes on rent, leaving them with few resources to make ends meet. Any financial shock can cause these households to fall behind on rent and face eviction and, in the worst cases, homelessness.

"This worsening tragedy is a societal failure that disturbs the conscience, particularly in light of the profound consequences that homelessness unleashes.... Stabilizing housing for older adults [through prevention efforts] is the best way to spare them the pain, suffering, humiliation, and indignity of becoming homeless." Please take a moment to read this important Marin County Grant Jury report on the need for the County of Marin to develop a homelessness prevention strategy for older adults in our community. "The 2023-2024 Marin County Grand Jury (Grand Jury) reviewed the County’s current homelessness programs and services and concluded that little or no attention is being paid to prevention. There are few services for older adults on the precipice of losing their housing. Despite several previous Grand Jury reports regarding the growing need to prioritize the housing needs of older adults, there remains a lack of urgency in establishing a systemic approach that would ensure a long-term commitment to implementing and maintaining practical solutions that prevent older adults from falling into homelessness. This report contains recommendations that the Board should implement immediately to prevent this crisis from worsening. The Grand Jury recommends the development of a strategic plan for homelessness prevention. In addition, the Grand Jury recommends that the Board complete a cost-benefit analysis that compares the cost of providing services to people after they become homeless, to the cost of proposed homelessness prevention solutions. The Grand Jury also recommends that the Community Development Agency (CDA) be designated as the lead agency to coordinate all efforts related to homelessness prevention for older adults." #prevention #agingequity

The logic is simple: Stop trauma before it starts. Working upstream of homelessness ensures more Austinites stay in their homes and receive the targeted support they need to remain housed for the long-term. Our homeless prevention efforts work in tandem with strategies that serve those already on the streets. By stopping inflow and improving outflow, we will reduce the total number of people experiencing homelessness in Austin. https://lnkd.in/gUYEUc_y

🏠💭 Homelessness and palliative care. The end of life care needs of people experiencing homelessness can often be difficult to understand and challenging to provide. Here's how we've been working to change that, and what professionals can do to improve care and support 👇 https://lnkd.in/eb7wDETz