Evan Jones, MSW’s Post

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

"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

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

New Report: Homelessness and How to Address Older Adults' Housing and Health Needs The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a new report, "Homelessness: Actions to Help Better Address Older Adults' Housing and Health Needs". The GAO conducted this study due to the high levels of homelessness, the aging U.S. population, and rising housing costs which concerns researchers that a growing number of older adults could experience homelessness. The report explores the needs of older adults who experience homelessness and the challenges to addressing those needs. The study selected nine communities for diversity of geography and population density, and the GAO conducted nongeneralizable interviews with 45 service providers and 34 older adults with experience of homelessness. https://lnkd.in/eQDPdYH5

Late last year we brought together experts across LA county responsible for: a) homeless outreach; b) supportive housing placement and retention, and c) affordable housing development to provide their perspectives into potential policy, practice and research gaps and solutions to addressing our dual housing and homelessness crises. Its hard to summarize the key takeaways from the 3 rich panel discussions (I encourage you to read it yourself!), here are a few quotes from our panelists to consider: "Paying for people to become housed can lead to unintended consequences— there is so much out of our control, so that’s not a useful metric.” “Making people have to experience homelessness again isn’t going to make them more successful in their future housing.” “We need to design differently.” #homelessness #supportivehousing #homelessoutreach https://lnkd.in/g6QdrvDg

California Statewide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness The California Statewide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness (CASPEH), conducted by The University of California, San Francisco Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative (BHHI), is the largest representative study of homelessness in the United States since the mid-1990s. The study provides a comprehensive look at the causes and consequences of homelessness in California and recommends policy changes to shape programs in response. #CAHomelessnessStudy Housing is Health. Fight homelessness https://lnkd.in/gMNPqDgE

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.

Toward Dignity: Understanding Older Adult Homelessness; Findings from the California Statewide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness | UCSF-Francisco Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative May 2024 "THE HOMELESS POPULATION IS AGING; in the past few decades, the proportion of adults experiencing homelessness who are 50 and older has risen faster than other groups. This trend is expected to continue, with the proportion of people age 65 and older experiencing homelessness in the United States expected to triple between 2017 and 2030."

It is time for Canadian health policy to take homelessness and underhousing seriously as one of the most acute population health, social and economic crises of our time. On this, we have something to learn from our neighbours to the South. But unlike the US, we have the means and positioning to deliver on the promise of sustainable health and home for all if we organized our services, funding and policy as if they mirrored the integrated reality of the problems we’re facing. There’s very few policy areas where equity, health impact, health system operational performance and public sector economics align so potently. The lessons for further integrated health and social care reform are likewise immense. Canadian Medical Association Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) The College of Family Physicians of Canada Canadian Nurses Association Kathleen Ross Joss Reimer Hon. Mark Holland, PC, MP Sean Fraser Federation of Canadian Municipalities Canadian Urban Institute (CUI)

A new report from the Washington State Department of Commerce's Office of Homeless Youth and A Way Home WA shows that Washington's focused, multi-sector effort to address youth and young adult homelessness is working. A few highlights among the many findings: - 40 percent reduction in the number of youth and young adults experiencing homelessness in Washington state between 2016 and 2022. - 75 percent of youth and young adults permanently housed in 2020 retained stable housing two years later. - 15,338 unaccompanied YYA accessed the homelessness system in 2022. The report, which pairs comprehensive data analysis with perspectives from young people with lived experience, service providers, and other stakeholders, presents a roadmap for Washington where unstably housed young people can receive the help they need promptly within their community. As the youth voices highlighted in the report emphasize, there is so much more work to be done. But these findings show that even when faced with a problem as complex and dynamic as youth and young adult homelessness, progress is possible.