Housing Narrative Lab’s Post

Did you know over 4 million young Americans face homelessness every year? Let's turn missed opportunities for young people into new opportunities -- opportunities to have a safe home, to pour energy into work, friendship, and love, and ultimately, build strong futures. Our 14-month collaborative effort with young experts who've experienced homelessness and partners from non-profits and governmental organizations has led to the New Opportunities national strategy to end youth homelessness: https://lnkd.in/g8hvxqJE Explore the strategy and join us as we work to make a future free from youth homelessness.

Yesterday the 100 in 100 initiative was launched in Grand Rapids. “An effort to house 100 individuals who are experiencing homelessness in 100 days with an intentional focus on chronic homelessness.” So encouraging to see this private/public partnership. Homelessness is a community-wide problem, and the entire community needs to be part of the solution. Grand Rapids Chamber City of Grand Rapids Mel Trotter Ministries Degage Ministries DeVos Family Foundation Dwelling Place Frey Foundation Heart of West Michigan United Way - Let's recognize every person has having inherent dignity and value. - Let's be proximate to others who are different than us. - Let's engage others with a posture of humility. - Let's seek first to understand, then to be understood. https://lnkd.in/eedUNWJX

At TheCaseMade, we are big on practicing what we preach. This week, it's Dr. Tiffany Manuel's turn, in this great op-ed in her local paper. If you want the public to think differently about ending homelessness, you have to talk differently about ending homelessness. #reimaginehowjusticewins #thecasemade

According to recent estimates, the number of homeless people in Houston was approximately 3,300 in 2023, with a significant percentage from the Black community. Despite this figure seeming small, it becomes alarming when considering the number of people accessing homeless services in 2021, which exceeded 21,000 in Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties. Notably, the rates of first-time homelessness are increasing, reflecting a profound socio-economic issue. Organizations such as Bread of Life, Inc., Coalition for the Homeless, A Caring Safe Place, and Hearts of Rescue, are making significant strides in addressing homelessness, providing assistance, and creating opportunities. The initiatives range from serving meals, aiding in healthcare access, providing housing, and running a transitional living facility, among other services. Yet, the gravity of this issue begs the question - are we doing enough to prevent homelessness? Read the full story by Aswad Walker from Word In Black at dallasweekly.com #Iamdw #blackpress #houstonhomelessness #communitysupport #homelessaid #fightingpoverty #helpingtheunhoused @wordinblacknews @chanzuckerberginitiative

Supporting Homelessness Week: ADC’s Commitment to Change This Homelessness Week 2024, we want to shine a light on an issue that impacts over 120,000 Australians every night. While many of us take for granted having a roof over our heads, countless individuals and families face the harsh reality of homelessness, with nearly a quarter being children. At ADC, we believe in using our resources and influence to drive meaningful change. That’s why we are proud to partner with Homes for Homes and committing a portion of our development project revenue to combatting homelessness and delivering homes to those in need. Together, we are working to transform lives and create a future where everyone has a place to call home. We encourage you to join us in supporting this vital cause. Let’s spare a thought for those struggling and take action to change these statistics. Every effort counts, and together, we can make a difference. Adam Zorzi Roderick Hamersley Timothy Tjhung Nick King Cassandra Thompson #HW2024 #HomesforHomes #HomelessnessWeek #ADC #HomesForHomes #EndHomelessness #CommunitySupport #MakeADifference

Homelessness remains a pressing challenge in the U.S., with over half a million Americans homeless in 2024, many living unsheltered. The COVID-19 pandemic only worsened this crisis, but the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has made strides through expanded housing assistance and supportive services. 🔑 Key Initiatives Driving Change: 🏠 Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) Program: Launched in 2021 and funded by the American Rescue Plan, this program provided 70,000 housing vouchers to individuals and families at risk of homelessness. PHAs partnered with local organizations to stabilize housing during the pandemic. ALL INside Initiative: Part of the All In: The Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness, this initiative focuses on unsheltered homelessness in cities like Chicago, Dallas, and Phoenix. Results include a 12% reduction in homelessness in Dallas and a 24% drop in unsheltered homelessness in Phoenix. #FederalAction Medicaid Flexibility: States can now use Medicaid for services like housing navigation and behavioral health support, crucial for individuals with complex health needs. #HousingAndHealth 🚧 Removing Barriers: HUD has made housing access fairer by removing screening barriers tied to credit, criminal history, or evictions. This individualized approach ensures more people can break the cycle of homelessness. #FairHousing 🤝 Federal Collaboration: Increased collaboration between agencies like HUD, HHS, and the VA has led to impactful programs such as HUD-VASH, which supports veterans, and the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, which helped prevent evictions during the pandemic. #HUDVASH Looking Ahead: Sustaining Progress Ending homelessness is possible, but it requires sustained commitment from government, nonprofits, and communities. Together, we can make this vision a reality and ensure everyone has a safe place to call home 🏠. 💪 #HousingFirst #EndingHomelessness #FederalCollaboration #HUD #HomelessnessSolutions

Between homelessness prevention to affordable Housing, there are a range of actions and services that take place everyday in our region to try and break the cycle of homelessness and suffering. HomeAid San Diego along with 18 other affiliates around the country, work to provide housing, education, employment and essential care products to over 22,000 people, in 2023, across the U.S. at-risk of or experiencing homelessness. This Continuum of Care graphic provides a nice visual of how we need to come together, across sectors, to assess each of these pillars and determine where more or less resources should be directed. Where does your business, nonprofit, academic institution or community group support breaking the cycle of homelessness? #sandiego #homelessnessprevention #breakthecycle #continuumofcare

Check out this video as it illustrates the various forces that drive people into homelessness and shows the exceptional work Housing Forward and the All Neighbors Coalition (comprised of 150+ organizations/companies) are doing to help our homeless neighbors move to a place they can call home. Since overhauling the homelessness response system in 2021, the All Neighbors Coalition has rehoused more than 10,100 people in Dallas and Collin counties - a 24% reduction in unsheltered homelessness. The strategy is having significant impact! There is more work to do, and each of us can contribute to the effort to make a difference in our community. https://lnkd.in/gpF4qkVg

Today we kicked off Homelessness Week - ‘Homelessness Action Now’ by hosting an internal Haven Home Safe event discussing the challenges, misunderstandings and successes of working to support people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. In addition to being awestruck by the incredible work of our staff a few key action themes emerged: 💙 We cannot do this alone. Often the best client outcomes are the result of formal and informal partnerships and community support to deliver outcomes. 💙 Advocacy makes a difference. Our councils, state and federal governments are listening to us. We heard examples of community support resulting in change such as local planning permits changing to support homeless families. It is up to each of us to shout from the rooftops about issues that impact the communities we live in and to raise issues with government bodies working to make a difference. 💙 The current system (without access to sufficient social housing) is causing more trauma and delaying outcomes. While we wait to build more homes, we need some flexibility in how we (and other services) deliver support to people with complex needs. Despite the challenges, the passion and dedication of our staff could not be clearer. We are so proud of the work our staff do and taking the time to reflect on this was a great way to start Homelessness Week. 

Looking forward to this USAging partnership to help develop of strong, effective partnerships to address older adult homelessness between Area Agencies on Aging and Continuums of Care.  “The National Alliance to End Homelessness is deeply grateful for this opportunity to collaborate with USAging so that our systems can better assist older adults who are unhoused and better prevent older adults from being forced into homelessness," said Alliance CEO, Ann Oliva. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/efyUngfh