Dawn Schwartz’s Post

20% of people experiencing homelessness are over 55, totaling over 127,000 older adults in the U.S. who face challenges like food insecurity, lack of social support, and unsafe living conditions. #lifemoves #lifemovesorg #senior #webelieve #changemakers

If you haven’t cast your ballot yet, there’s still time to vote YES on Prop 5! 🏠   Prop 5 equips us with the tools to make housing accessible for millions struggling with high costs, including building more supportive housing for those with disabilities and people experiencing homelessness. Cast your votes by November 5th and vote YES on Prop 5! Learn more at yesonprop5.org #YesOnProp5 #AffordableHousing #HousingJustice

6In Austin, 60% of youth experiencing homelessness are attending school or unemployed, balancing immense challenges as they work toward stability. When schools shut down for the holidays, many of these young people are left without a safe place to go. For them, the holiday break often brings uncertainty instead of celebration. Let’s reflect on how we can work together to address youth homelessness and build pathways to safety and stability. #WhereWillYouSpendTheHolidays #YouthHomelessness

Why Are So Many Seniors Facing Homelessness Today? Exploring the alarming rise in homelessness among seniors, we delve into the contributing factors, including financial struggles and challenges in securing loans. Discover the issues that affect older adults in today's housing market. #HomelessnessCrisis #SeniorHousing #FinancialStruggle #HousingMarket #RetirementChallenges #AgingPopulation #CommunityAwareness #SupportSeniors #UnderstandingHomelessness #SocialIssues

The violence in Alice Springs this week is a symptom of much deeper social drivers we should all be paying attention to. Alice Springs has 12 times the rate of homelessness nationally, high levels of overcrowding, and completely unaffordable rents for adults on good incomes. Young people trying to compete with adults in this context don’t stand a chance at securing a safe and stable place to live. Without this, it’s hard to finish school, further training or studies; get a job; support your family; and be active, thriving members of the community. Responding with a youth curfew is like putting a plaster cast on a person with a chronic health condition. We need solutions that go deeper than this to address the many and varied root causes of this violence. Youth Foyers offer 16-24 year olds with a safe and stable place to live for up to two years while they engage in education and work. They are not a silver bullet, but will enable more young people in Alice Springs to set themselves up for thriving futures. That’s why many in the community, including the #AliceSprings Mayor, Matt Paterson, and Annie Taylor from NT Shelter, were calling for Federal Government investment in a Youth Foyer in Alice Springs last week before we saw this violence erupt. In case you missed it, watch the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) News story here: https://lnkd.in/gkMeX8GD Tyrah Chan-Hampton Liz Cameron-Smith Myles Houlbrook-Walk Jim Chalmers Linda Burney #FoyerNetwork #BuildMoreFoyers #YouthFoyers #50FoyersBy2030 #housingcrisis #housingsolutions #youthhomelessnessmatters #YouthHomelessness #LifeSkills #YouthEmpowerment  #EndYouthHomelessness #JulieCollinsMP #HousingMinister

Did you know that according to the Department of Education, Georgia has a homeless population of 42,000 people, while by HUD's definition, the number is only around 8,000? These varying definitions can significantly impact how we understand and address homelessness. So, why the difference? Factors such as eligibility criteria for housing assistance, the scope of included populations, and methodologies for counting individuals contribute to these disparities. Regardless of the definition, one thing remains clear: the challenges faced by individuals experiencing homelessness are real and multifaceted. At Open Doors, we're committed to taking action and opening doors to brighter futures for all. #WednesdayWisdom #OpenDoorsAtlanta #HomelessnessAwareness #Atlanta #CommunitySupport

Imagine a future where all young people have a safe and stable home. This year we learned that Washington state is one step closer to that future. The Raikes Foundation is honored to have worked with an amazing cross-sector movement making big strides towards ending youth homelessness in Washington. Today, 10,000 fewer young people are experiencing housing instability in this state, a 40% drop in six years. Not only that, but vastly more students experiencing homelessness are graduating and fewer young people are exiting public systems into homelessness. There’s more work to do, but we can change what’s possible for young people when we work together. Get involved and learn more at https://lnkd.in/gvcmVdyn #HousingStabilityforYouth #YouthHomelessness #EndingYouthHomelessnessIsPossible

Excited to share out my latest publication: The Rise of Homelessness Among California’s Older Adults. This report provides insights into how policymakers can keep older adults housed by understanding their unique needs and circumstances which is key to effectively solving #homelessness across the state. Key points include: 1. The significant and growing share of older Californians experiencing homelessness. 2. Persistent racial disparities among unhoused older adults. 3. The high prevalence of disabling conditions. 4. Insufficient reported income sources and safety net supports. 5. The impact of high housing costs, especially on older renters of color. ➡ Read more here: The Rise of Homelessness Among California’s Older Adults https://lnkd.in/g-P4iFQM

It's estimated that more than 580,000 Americans are experiencing homelessness, yet there are exponentially more homes sitting vacant. According to a 2023 report from the United Way of the National Capital Area, there are, on average, 28 vacant homes for every one person experiencing homelessness in the U.S. In some communities, that number is as high as 116 empty homes per unhoused person. In Columbus, it's estimated that there are approximately 20 empty homes per unhoused person. While our team continues to build permanently affordable homes throughout Franklin County, it's worth considering that there are various ways to help connect people to homes they can afford. #affordablehousing #homelessness #landbanking #landtrust https://lnkd.in/gsr6g-rx  

☑ NEW POLL: 72% of Americans agree that arresting and ticketing people for sleeping outside won't solve homelessness. A majority agree that the affordable housing crisis is a major factor contributing to rising homelessness. In preparation for the case of #JohnsonVGrantsPass, the National Homelessness Law Center, in partnership with the Housing Narrative Lab has released critical survey findings on the state of public opinion surrounding the case and related attempts to arrest, fine and ticket people who experience unsheltered homelessness. The results? People want #HousingNotHandcuffs Highlights: 🔴 61% of Americans agree: unaffordable housing is a major factor contributing to rising homelessness. 🔴2 in 3 Americans (66%) have a personal connection to housing instability (either having personal experience or know someone with personal experience). 🔴63% of Americans strongly support repurposing available empty spaces, like office buildings or hotels/motels to ensure everyone has a place to live 🔴61% of Americans are more likely to vote for a candidate that opposes arresting and fining homeless people for living outside. View the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/emKSXu2p