Topeka Rescue Mission’s Post

ENCORE 🎙 On today's episode, we dive into stories showing the importance of affordable housing. First, with @westernregionaladvocacyproject, we examine what Grants Pass v. Johnson means for unhoused people and how disinvestment in public housing has created our current homelessness wave. Then, we'll hear from @chhayacdc about the fight to legalize and preserve one important type of affordable housing units in New York City: basement apartments. 🎧 listen now: https://lnkd.in/g3f7a9A4

It started with a simple idea: what if no one facing homelessness was without a place to turn? At our South West regional day, we heard how Freedom Community Alliance is making that vision a reality in North Devon. Their housing team works alongside the council (in the same building!) to create a seamless system of support: 6 emergency pods*, short-term housing, longer-term solutions, and move-on accommodation for those in need. And here’s where it gets even better: those emergency pods? They were produced and delivered by another one of our partners, Amazing Grace Spaces, who also build innovative modular housing. Together with Green Pastures, they’ve opened a women’s house—a safe haven for 5 ladies rebuilding their lives after rehab, prison, or the streets. This is what happens when compassion and innovation come together. (*Emergency pods are temporary shelters providing immediate support to those in crisis.)

How we talk about homes matters, and as Natalie says, effective framing can help diminish fatalism, build understanding and activate the ‘can-do’ attitudes we need to see urgently. If you write or talk about homes, take a look at Natalie's blog below for The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales, as part of our Talking about Housing project with Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) and FrameWorks UK. You can also download the How to Talk about Homes toolkit for practical examples to bring to life the five framing principles for explaining about homes and the housing crisis: https://lnkd.in/dypqZyq5

What is one step can you take in your complex situation today? People who step in instead of away are my heroes. And my encouragement. The complexity: response to people living outdoors. Why do we do it? How do we do it? Who are the decision makers? Who are the funders? How do we learn from the people living this experience and expand our plans to let them help write them? A few of the hundreds of questions. The step: one household that now lives in a home. A #housingfirst step toward stability, calling on people with passion and dedication, federal funds, donations, and many other resources. It's a huge effort that begins with a "simple" mission of "everyone needs a home." Way to go, CATCH Idaho! Here's to 2024.

THIS is why affordable housing is so critical to health, well being, and thriving!

Right now, too many of us in the Bay Area struggle to afford housing, face threats of eviction, and experience homelessness. But there’s hope. We’re joining together, as neighbors and advocates — renters and landlords, homeowners and people experiencing homelessness — to unlock a new future for our communities where no one is left behind. For #AffordableHousingMonth we’re building a #BayArea where we value everyone’s humanity, where we treat everyone with justice and dignity, and where everyone belongs. https://loom.ly/ZrZvxmw

To align with the Fremont City Council’s priorities and keep the community informed, our Summer issue of City News features a detailed overview of our ongoing efforts to address homelessness in Fremont. It highlights our first Homelessness Response Plan, which will guide the development of policies, investments, and actions over the next five years to address homelessness in Fremont. It also includes details on current initiatives, programs, and new affordable housing. Read the overview here: https://lnkd.in/g6Tpu_SY

Join United Way for this important conversation!

Why is the Hub Street Outreach program so important? 👉 It allows us to connect with unhoused individuals who might not yet know about the Hub. 👉 It helps build trust and relationships between our team and the individuals they serve. 👉 It allows us to identify and connect individuals to services they need to help them exit homelessness. 👉 It lets us educate the community and dispel stereotypes. 👉 It saves lives. https://bit.ly/47zzvat

🎬🚨 Urgent ADVOCACY ACTION ALERT‼️ JOIN US...... Urge Congress to Pass a Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Budget by the March 1st Click 🖱 on the link 🔗 below ⬇️ to help us take action 🎬! https://lnkd.in/dpdXJUE Although a government shutdown has been avoided for now, Congress must come together to pass a Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) budget by the March 1st deadline established by the current Continuing Resolution (CR). As appropriators negotiate the budget, tell Congress to prioritize and preserve critical Housing and Community Development programs. Despite an agreement on topline spending between House and Senate leaders, there is still much work to be done to reach a final agreement. YOUR VOICE IS CRITICAL - tell members of Congress to prioritize key housing and community development programs to preserve rental assistance for families, investments in community development, affordable housing, and homelessness prevention in FY24. Click 🖱 on the link 🔗 below ⬇️ to help us take action 🎬! https://lnkd.in/dpdXJUE 🖊 Ivory N. Mathews, National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) Legislative Network Chair