Abil Hakim’s Post

Housing is healthcare! In order to meaningfully address the homelessness crisis, the Supreme Court must affirm that all people, regardless of housing status, are protected by the Constitution. #HousingNotHandcuffs Learn more: johnsonvgrantspass.com

In states all over the country, an organized effort seeks to criminalize #homelessness while attacking best practices like Housing First. The National Alliance to End Homelessness and frontline providers in these states have made a commitment to actively listen to people experiencing homelessness who will be impacted in these states. Their feedback is clear that what they want and need is housing. We also know that many of these communities don’t have nearly enough affordable housing, permanent supportive housing, or even emergency shelter for them. Yet, the bills in question fail to address this fundamental need, leaving people with nowhere to go. 📢 We need your help. Sign on to receive advocacy alerts & take action against these harmful proposals: https://lnkd.in/e2zjWdpZ #endhomelessness #housingfirst #homelessnessissolvable

The Federal Government has released its summary consultation report in relation to National Housing and Homelessness Issues paper. Q Shelter is reviewing this document as we speak and will work with members and sector partners to look at the next steps to influence the direction of the national strategy for maximum impact here in Queensland. We have also written to the Federal Government this week requesting an important 25% uplift in funding for homelessness services and the need for a greater focus on preventative measures to address rates of homelessness and housing insecurity long-term. We note that the current process will likely lead to a new national funding agreement with the states and territories, and it is critical these new agreements factor in certainty and long-term funding security for service providers and their workforce. 👉 https://bit.ly/47MeGso https://bit.ly/3UfXvML #homematters #communityhousing #homelessness #budget2024

On this 4th of July, I hope you'll join me in doing something very patriotic--use your voice to advocate to lawmakers! As you may have seen (either on my feed or in the news), the Supreme Court recently made a ruling in favor of a city that wants to have the ability to arrest people experiencing homelessness, rather than provide adequate shelter, services, housing, etc. This ruling undermines past decisions of lower courts that called this type of approach cruel and unusual under the 8th amendment (which, by the way, it absolutely is). As homelessness is on the rise as a result of the surging housing costs and the loss of our social safety net, these types of bans and punitive laws were already on the rise before this ruling, and we anticipate that this blanket approval by the highest judicial authority in our country will result in even more. Although these types of decisions are primarily state and local, federal lawmakers and government officials have a big role to play, too, beyond just funding federal programs. Now more than ever, we need to make sure that all of our voices are being used to send a message to our lawmakers about homelessness and actual solutions--not strategies that displace people, cause more harm, and do absolutely nothing to solve the actual problem. I would love it if you could take 5 minutes today to reach out to your members of Congress and ask them to sign on to a letter to the President, asking him and the Administration to publicly stand against the criminalization of homelessness and in support of proven and positive solutions to get people housed. The more lawmakers that we can get to sign this letter, the more power it will be in response to the Supreme Court Decision. The National Alliance to End Homelessness makes it really easy! You can take action now by clicking on the link below and follow the steps provided. All you have to do is enter basic information and we will be able to make sure it gets to your congressional members! Signatures are being collected only through July 10th so please take action as quickly as possible! Arresting, displacing, and otherwise disregarding the needs of the most vulnerable people in our country because they make the less vulnerable uncomfortable should not be a partisan or political issue. This is humanity at its worst. We need everyone's voice to speak up and speak often against such inhumane choices of our lawmakers. After you share this post with your own networks, please check out more resources and ways to get involved in the comment section below.

In a decision that is a major setback for people experiencing homelessness, today #SCOTUS has ruled 6-3 that a small Oregon town can arrest and ticket unhoused people for sleeping in public spaces, even when there are no adequate shelters options available. This ruling unfairly punishes unhoused people, including the millions of youth and young adults who are experiencing homelessness. This decision will have a wide-reaching and profound impact on some of the most vulnerable populations in our communities. And we believe it to be a fundamental attack on the dignity and rights of those most in need. Make your voice heard! Use this moment to contact your elected official and let’s work to ensure everyone has access to safe, secure, and affordable housing. The National Low Income Housing Coalition’s  advocacy toolkit  includes resources that will be helpful to advocates, such as talking points and information on needed long-term solutions, including federal legislation. https://lnkd.in/gpq7RW58 #JohnsonVGrantPass #EndYouthHomelessness

Arguments start today for #JohnsonvGrantsPass, the most significant case to reach #SCOTUS on homelessness in a long time. The case will, in essence, determine whether homelessness can be criminalized, potentially overriding the Appeals Court decision in Martin v Boise, which has protected the right to sleep outside when no other shelter options are available. I have seen Martin v Boise be skirted relentlessly, and can only imagine the outcomes if cities are empowered to fine and imprison folks for lacking housing. Actions will be occurring nationwide, go to https://lnkd.in/gtgrE_Me to find ways to support.

On April 22nd, the Supreme Court of the United States will hear the case of Johnson v. Grants Pass. At its core, this case will decide whether cities are allowed to punish people for things like sleeping outside with a pillow or blanket, even when there are no safe shelter options.   There are many proven and data-backed solutions to #homelessness, like providing people with #housing and services. Arresting or otherwise punishing homeless folks is not a solution, and jails and fines make the cycle of homelessness worse. Ensuring access to housing is a fundamental step towards addressing homelessness and laying the groundwork for further support and interventions. This underscores the significance of housing as a key solution to homelessness. #endhomelessness Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e3U-MmiK

On April 22, 2024, the US Supreme Court will convene to consider the pivotal case of Johnson v Grants Pass, marking a watershed moment in the legal landscape surrounding homelessness, criminalization, and the rights of unsheltered individuals. This landmark case holds profound significance as it grapples with the fundamental question of whether cities can lawfully penalize individuals for engaging in basic activities such as sleeping, sitting, or residing outdoors with minimal shelter options available. At its essence, this legal battle has far-reaching implications, delving into the heart of the debate on the criminalization of poverty and its severe consequences. The verdict stands to shape policies across the country and here in Greenville County, South Carolina. Our ask is that public and private partners continue to work together collaboratively. Homelessness is a complex issue, but we believe it is solvable when we work together as a connected community. The Greenville Homeless Alliance aims to facilitate conversations with local municipalities and Greenville County Council, those impacted by homelessness, and organizations that offer best-practice solutions. #gvlhomes4all #grantspassoregon #supremecourtjustice #endhomelessness #greenvillesc #gvltoday #collectiveimpact

Homelessness is a housing problem. Housing prices are the #1 indicator for homelessness — so it's no surprise that in California, with the highest median home prices in the country, would have a significant unhoused population. According to a University of California, San Francisco study 90% of unhoused individuals in California were Californians, and 75% lived in the same county where they were last housed. Without adequate affordable housing in Marin and across California, more and more of our population will become unhoused. To solve homelessness, we need affordable housing. #AffordableHousing #California #BAHFA #RegionalMeasure4 #HousingForAllMarin #Housing #Homelessness #Marin #BayArea Sources: https://lnkd.in/g8mmb65h https://lnkd.in/e9PCjeEz https://lnkd.in/gXd9kHqA.

The Court's ruling does not criminalize homelessness; the position upheld by the Court provides clarity on what our expectations should be relative to public spaces meant to be shared by all. The same rights and expectations of ownership associated with private property are not imbued upon individuals who adopt public land for personal use. While the decision has the potential to help us better manage public spaces and ensure they remain clean, safe, and welcoming for everyone, it also underscores the need for us to make a greater public investment in creating affordable housing options and connecting at-risk individuals with a broad range of healthcare and supportive services. We can and need to focus on both. https://lnkd.in/epcWt28p