Center for Family Health Initiative’s Post

Term of the Week: Chronic Homelessness Chronic Homelessness refers to an individual with a disability who has been continuously experiencing homelessness for one year or more or has experienced at least four episodes of homelessness in the last three years where the combined length of time experiencing homelessness on those occasions is at least 12 months. At HomeAid, we understand that addressing chronic homelessness requires more than temporary solutions. That’s why we partner with service providers nationwide to create safe, stable, and supportive housing that empowers individuals to rebuild their lives. 📖 Learn more about chronic homelessness and how we’re making an impact by visiting our glossary and exploring the latest insights in the AHAR report. Click the links below to learn more. 🔗 Learn more about our Glossary of Terms: https://bit.ly/40tHq94 🔗 Learn more about the AHAR Report: https://bit.ly/4gRy2BU #EndHomelessness #BuildingFutures #SupportCommunities #HomeAidImpact

Understanding Homelessness: Challenges and Solutions Homelessness is a pressing issue worldwide, and Los Angeles is no exception. In this article, we explore the root causes of homelessness, its impact, and potential solutions. Root Causes: - Economic inequality - Unemployment - Mental health challenges - Substance abuse - Trauma Impact: - Health and well-being - Economic costs - Social isolation - Educational disruption Solutions: - Affordable housing - Wraparound support services - Outreach and engagement - Advocacy and policy reform Addressing homelessness requires collaboration and investment in supportive services and policy reform. Together, we can create a more equitable society.

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

For #WorldHomelessDay this year, we wanted to share again the brilliant work on ‘homelessness myth-busting’ by the Brighton & Hove Common Ambition steering group (a group who share insight from their lived experience and co-design programmes and services addressing homelessness). There are two particularly harmful myths about homelessness which the steering group addressed in this piece for the Common Ambition website: https://zurl.co/c6wC As one group member put it: “We need to raise awareness of the Hidden Homeless who are not included in statistics. The statistics are the tip of the iceberg.” Myths and stigma around homelessness can form huge barriers when it comes to service design as well as impacting the uptake of services. We must combat these myths and reduce stigma if we want things to change for those experiencing homelessness.

A new study by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) reveals that homelessness is surging across Ontario. “This devastating report by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario shows homelessness is exploding in Ontario,” said Tim Richter, President and CEO of the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness. “81,515 people experienced homelessness in 2024, the same as the entire population of Peterborough. That’s a 25% increase in two years.” AMO highlights that Ontario is the only province where responsibility for social housing has been downloaded to municipalities. Cornerstone joins AMO in urging provincial and federal governments to take significant, long-term action on affordable housing, mental health and addictions services, and income supports to stem the tide of homelessness and improve the quality of life for communities across Ontario.

Situational homelessness often results from sudden life setbacks and can be alleviated with housing and social services while chronic homelessness requires a trauma-informed approach with personalized care plans. Let's address the core issues together. https://loom.ly/gzMKJVQ #UtahImpact #TraumaInformedCare #EndHomelessness

Third Sector advised the California Interagency Council on Homelessness (Cal ICH), which advises California's 58 counties, to create a more outcomes-focused culture for its staff and county partners. This shift requires government staff to engage consumers to learn more about what happens after housing services are delivered and to understand which resources could be shared across departments to better serve constituents seeking services. Check out Third Sector's four recommendations for any state looking to address homelessness through cross-agency collaboration and stakeholder engagement: https://lnkd.in/gVV5fYWv 

Why is affordable housing important? Because sometimes, the resources available in the community aren’t enough to stop people from experiencing homelessness. Over 1 third (36%) of Californians sought resources from their community and the government before their experience with homelessness. This number was even higher for adults in families experiencing homeless, in which over half (61%) sought supportive services before their homelessness began (2023 California Statewide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness. While there are many wonderful programs out there that can help prevent homelessness, this statistic shows the importance of housing that people CAN AFFORD TO KEEP, so they can remain safely housed and not risk entering the cycle of homelessness.

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

7 Takeaways from the 2024 Point-in-Time Count Data on Homelessness from the National Alliance to End Homelessness #5. The number of children experiencing homelessness increased nearly 33 percent. Compared with 2023, 36,000 more children did not have a permanent place to live in 2024. Of all age groups, children are at the highest risk of eviction. They are likely to live with families who simply cannot afford a place to live. This can lead to poor performance in school and homelessness across the child's life. Older adults are also experiencing homelessness at high rates due to the high costs of living and inadequate increases in social security. This is especially notable and concerning due to the prominent health risks associated with homelessness. Read all seven takeaways here: https://buff.ly/3W6Rtyf Learn more about CCEH and our work to end homelessness here: https://buff.ly/3YN2Hs0 In late December, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released the 2024 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) Part 1. It highlights the findings from the nation's only comprehensive count of people experiencing homelessness, taken on a single night in January 2024. #PITCount2024 #endhomelessness #homelessnessnh