Homes For Heroes Foundation’s Post

In his latest Substack entry, Ron Clewer, PlatFORM Group V.P., takes a research and data-driven dive into the systems intended to help prevent and end homelessness. He strives to understand why there are local and national concerns about the recent rising Point in Time (PIT) count, which looked at homelessness on a single night as well as the distinctions between "homelessness" and "chronic homelessness" (as explored by the City of Rockford, IL in the past). It's a fascinating and well-researched read. We encourage you to take a look. https://lnkd.in/dzsTzRcR

We remain resolute in our mission, to move families and individuals toward stable housing and independence while embracing the complexities of their human experience. In this pursuit, understanding homelessness is not just a step — it's a transformative journey toward collective healing and societal progress. Everyone wants to eradicate homelessness; let us all use our voices to ensure this is a reality in our state. https://lnkd.in/exZzmVCq

A housing strategy for vulnerable young people is a must do in BC.

I share the opinions of this article, and will add how overtime the cost of housing has outpaced wages, year after year nationwide. There is no county in the US where the local minimum wage earner can afford housing on that income. The problems are structural, rooted in stale, I would argue haremful, economic and land use models. We know how to fix it, the question is do we have the collective will.

People experiencing homelessness face violations of a wide range of human rights. Access to safe and secure housing is one of the most basic human rights. However, homelessness is not just about housing. A person who is homeless may be facing violations of the right to an adequate standard of living, the right to education, the right to liberty and security of the person, the right to privacy, the right to social security, the right to freedom from discrimination, the right to vote and many more. These human rights are protected by a number of international human rights treaties, including theInternational Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). For more information see the Commission's discussion paper, Homelessness is a Human Rights Issue. https://lnkd.in/gHWX2qM9

A recent study highlights that ethnic minority groups in the UK face many obstacles in obtaining homelessness assistance. Local authorities often overlook the needs of these communities, such as vicinity to places of worship or language services. The study reveals that the typical definition of a 'household' does not accommodate the diverse living arrangements found in minority communities, impacting their access to suitable housing. Efforts to reform these systems are crucial to address institutional racism and ensure fair access to housing for all. https://lnkd.in/eUwH832F

"To eliminate homelessness in America, we must keep our focus on the challenges that are actually driving it: - an insufficient affordable housing supply, - stagnating wages, - systemic racism." Don't get distracted - focus on the real drivers, not the headlines. Thanks Betty-Joan Beaudry for sharing this article!

I have so much hope for the future because young leaders like Michael L. are bringing innovation, compassion, and storytelling to help find solutions for people experiencing homelessness. Check out this KATU story https://lnkd.in/gBkMZeg6

law makers can direct funds to solve human needs, the need of youth for housing, or to hire more police and maintain the appearance of a good social order. Which one would you vote to spend your tax dollars: to help youth fit in? or to hunt them off the streets, and show a veneer of civilization, a surface solution that only relocates troubled youth from street to jail?

So often, I see communities want to stop "pan-handling", people spending excess time in libraries, "loitering" in public spaces, tent cities, use of public parks without looking at root causes. Gregg Colburn and his colleagues are providing Real News and Real Data on housing affordability, lack of supply of housing, and ways to create safe shelter for all people. Criminalizing of people who are experiencing homelessness avoids our society - you and me- making a commitment to the common good. It is not just "housing first"; it is to see the "I" in front of me/you as having inherent dignity. That as a result, there have been those fighting for a right to housing; That no ideology can take away that dignity unless it is through lack of societal will. Unless we see the "I" in front as a criminal. How sad, we don't think of how we would want to be treated if we were to experience homelessness.