John Howard Society of Ontario’s Post

Why we encourage you to Vote NO on Prop 36 🗳 Funders Together recognizes the very real concerns Californians have about crime in their communities. Proponents of Prop 36 falsely claim that Prop 47 has contributed to California’s increase in homelessness, *but* experts in homelessness solutions consistently tell us that a lack of housing that is affordable for everyone is the leading factor for the increasing unhoused population. Prop 36 cynically exploits people’s fears by offering harmful prison spending ploys. Criminalization doesn’t solve homelessness; rather, it prolongs poverty and traps people into chronic homelessness. Like you, we’re serious about ending homelessness. We support research-backed solutions that wisely invest taxpayer dollars in programs that work. That's why we will Vote NO on Prop 36. https://lnkd.in/gqiAFt2S

Disappointed is the nicer way of putting it. Today, the highest court in the U.S., the Supreme Court just ruled to make it easier to jail or fine unhoused people for sleeping outside, even when adequate shelter or housing isn’t available. This will only make homelessness worse. Housing - not tickets, jail, or fines - ends homelessness. It's also not the society I want to live in. Punishing people who have nowhere else to go - is not effective policy. Communities need to invest in housing and services - and I hope they'll take the advice of experts to lean in on effective solutions not punishing ones. https://lnkd.in/e2UBWfcR

"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

On April 22, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in Grants Pass v Johnson---to decide whether local governments can arrest people for sleeping outside--despite there not being other options for where to sleep. In this op ed in The Hill, Gregg Colburn and I argue that criminalization of homelessness is (in addition to being cruel), counterproductive. And its adherents present a false dichotomy. We show that there are other choices--namely--housing. And we show it can be done, if appropriately scaled. Did you know that -- with collaboration and funds from the Federal Government--homelessness among veterans have decreased by half, by using Housing First principles? Because Housing First is a bipartisan, evidence based strategy to end homelessness. Criminalizing extreme poverty is traumatizing and counterproductive. Housing ends homelessness. https://lnkd.in/ggVdzmxm UCSF Benioff Homelessness & Housing Initiative The OpEd Project #PublicVoices

Last week, the Supreme Court ruled that cities may arrest and fine people for resting outside, when most of the time, they have nowhere else to go. CCH is dissapointed with this decision, which goes against the data on how best to end homelessness. Housing solves homelessness – fines and jails do not. These punitive measures can harm people and make it even more difficult for them to access housing in the future. CCH will continue to invest in and advocate for affordable housing, including the $20 billion affordable housing bond measure for Bay Area counties. We know that affordable housing the best long-term solution to ending homelessness.

Much of society views homelessness as a product of poor life choices or intrinsic personality deficiencies. This is a gross misconception. There are many reasons why someone may end up homeless and severe mental illness is a major influencing factor in a lot of cases. Tossing someone in jail with severe mental illness or who simply doesn’t have access to resources is not the answer. We need to work toward increasing community resources for homeless individuals so that there is better access to food, housing, healthcare (including mental healthcare), career counseling, rehabilitation services, transportation services, and wraparound services.

CRIMINALIZATION IS NOT A SOLUTION TO HOMELESSNESS. Imposing fines and jail time is counterproductive, expensive, and dehumanizing. States and leaders should follow the evidence on what works. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/g4R7xPhD Take action to advance real solutions to homelessness TODAY at: https://lnkd.in/gRfgStPc

'The province has still not put in place anything to ensure the new housing they hope to encourage will really be affordable. This budget has no funding to build any supportive housing units this year. Ontario is falling even further behind what we need. We did not find anything in this budget targeted at preventing homelessness.' Based on assumptions that current stock of supportive housing can be maintained. I can tell you that the current stock of supportive housing is very vulnerable to acquisition for redevelopment (renovations) and to other sales out of supportive housing - and this housing stock is being lost. #AffordableHousing #SupportiveHousing #OnPoli

The Supreme Court missed the point: Incarceration and shame—is not—the answer to addressing homelessness. I must admit that I had to read the Supreme Court’s decision in Grants Pass v. Johnson (https://lnkd.in/gu56UtYk) twice to see how far the majority had to go to justify a decision that essentially allows governments to criminalize an individual for experiencing homelessness. The majority’s decision represents yet another pathway for criminalizing individuals who are already struggling—just to be unable to afford basic housing. You would think as a society we would learn that criminalization of social issues such as homelessness, poverty, mental health, or substance use disorders does not work. Homelessness is an immense challenge to any city and resources should be directed to solving the issue of housing shortages. This ruling only provides for a means of punishing and disgracing people because of their status—in this case homelessness. According to the 2023 Annual Assessment Report to Congress by the Department of Housing and Urban Development--On any given night, over 600,000 individuals experience homelessness in America—of which approximately 40% are unable to access any shelter option. If we begin to criminalize them because of their status, are we going to use funding to build more prisons? Or just maybe, can we build more housing. The majority of the Supreme Court has ignored precedence, policy, and only plain old common sense to uphold a law that denies the basic human right that all people deserve to live dignified lives. It created another pathway to harm individuals who are already struggling. We as a society must be better than this. A Safe Haven will always be committed to finding solutions to the root causes of poverty, homelessness, mental health, or substance use issues. We will continue to advocate for humane solutions that build and strengthen our communities and preserve the dignity of each individual. We recognize the potential of each individual and will support programs and policies that are restorative—and not punitive. We can find better solutions by working together. You can visit us at www.ASAFEHAVEN.org to find out more about our programs and commitment to ending homelessness. hashtag #Homelessness hashtag #Housing hashtag #AffordableHousing Johnson v. Grants Passjohnsonvgrantspass.com

Housing, not tickets, jail time, or fines, is the real solution to homelessness. To effectively address and end homelessness, policymakers must urgently invest in proven solutions, beginning with greater investments in affordable housing and supportive services.