Abode Communities’ Post

More than 119,000 young people in England faced homelessness last year – a record high. We estimate an increasing proportion of them are being turned away without being assessed by their local authority. But we can’t just blame councils for this – it's clear they don’t have the resources to meet rising demand for homelessness services, and the government needs to address this. More funding and a cross-departmental strategy to end youth homelessness is what’s needed to address the growing number of people without a home.

In the heart of Athens, a city pulsating with creativity, culture and community spirit, lies a stark reality that contrasts the vibrant streets and bustling businesses. Homelessness — a pertinent matter that affects countless individuals and families — has reached alarming proportions in Athens-Clarke County, demanding urgent attention and concerted efforts from both public and private sectors. According to the annual "point-in-time" count, a comprehensive HUD Exchange survey of sheltered and unsheltered homeless individuals, Athens-Clarke County is currently home to approximately 342 people experiencing homelessness. However, this figure likely underestimates the true magnitude of the crisis. In 2022 alone, there were 4,679 unique enrollments in homeless services, shedding light on the extensive reach of homelessness within the community. Click the link to check out one of my favorite pieces of work to-date: https://lnkd.in/es763g55

On the front-page 🗞️ Diversion is one tool in our homeless response toolkit. Diversion specialists work closely with newly unhoused neighbors to immediately access safe alternative housing options. The Dallas Morning News wrote, "Sarah Kahn, President and CEO of Housing Forward, said the 12% drop in homelessness year-over-year can partly be attributed to proven diversion programs. These initiatives keep people off the streets by helping them find alternative housing quickly, Kahn said. Between April 2023 and May 2024, 3,173 individuals and 1,781 households were successfully diverted from homelessness in Dallas and Collin counties, according to Housing Forward data. More than 60% of successful diversions were households with children." Read all about it - https://lnkd.in/g8PMFmTF #endhomelessness #Diversion #HousingForward

As a funder, meeting with service providers in the homelessness/housing sector is one of the best parts of my role. Their commitment to helping the unhoused is inspiring, but hearing their weariness about the future is concerning. According to a recent Department of Housing and Urban Development report, homelessness has increased by over 12% in the last two years. Shockingly, on any given night, more than 650,000 people in the United States are unhoused, with 68,000 people, including children, experiencing unstable housing in Chicago alone. Today, the Supreme Court will hear a case (Grants Pass vs Johnson) that will have a far-reaching impact on whether we, as a society, will meet the needs of unhoused people or continue to criminalize being without a home. The hope is that this case will bring much-needed attention to the root causes of homelessness: lack of affordable housing, lack of mental health support, racial inequities, and domestic violence. It's important to note that millions of people are only one paycheck away from crisis. We need better policy and political will in the United States, one of the wealthiest countries in the world, to end homelessness. Sleeping on the streets and living in tent encampments is not safe for anyone, especially unhoused people. Let's work together to make sure that everyone has access to safe and stable housing. #housingnothandcuffs #housingisahumanright #housingjustice #funderstogethertoendhomelessness To learn more about the Supreme Court case and its potential impact on homelessness, check out this article: https://lnkd.in/g_B5PjBi

📢 Dive into the realities of homelessness💡This piece by @homeless_loki sheds light on the struggles faced by seniors and disabled individuals, the challenges of understaffed agencies, and the urgent need for compassionate solutions: https://lnkd.in/gYdBM9mQ

ICYMI: At least 68,440 people are experiencing homelessness in Chicago. This report by the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless gives us a better understanding of the scope of homelessness, allowing local groups to work together to broaden the federal definition of homelessness and advocate for resources to address all forms of homelessness.  #endhomelessness #BringChicagoHome Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/gJN9VSwB

🏠 Let's tackle homelessness together! 🌟 Check out our latest blog post for insightful strategies on reducing homelessness in the US. From innovative housing solutions to community-driven initiatives, we're exploring practical approaches to make a difference. Together, we can create a brighter future for all. #EndHomelessness #CommunityImpact #HMISSolution #HMIS #HomelessHelp

Homelessness in Waterloo Region has exploded in recent years. If you do not personally know someone who has experienced homelessness, you will have likely seen more individuals living on the streets in our city centers. In April of this year, the Regional Council approved a community-led plan to end chronic homelessness which explores the current state of homelessness in Waterloo Region; the importance of Housing First and human rights approaches to ending homelessness; and the complex causes of homelessness. “The Plan to End Chronic Homelessness sets the vision for long-term solutions after much collaboration and conversation. This is truly a made-in Waterloo Region roadmap to address an increasingly complex issue through a unique approach and new partnerships across all orders of government,” said Regional Chair Karen Redman. “We know that despite our best efforts in Waterloo Region, our current system is not adequately resourced to address the growing number of people who need support. Together, we are capable of ending chronic homelessness and we know these solutions can be implemented elsewhere.” To access this report, click here: https://lnkd.in/gYgtBHn9 To keep up-to-date on current affairs at SHOW and how we are working to end the cycle of homelessness, sign up for our newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/g7mQxgh5 #solidarity #communityfirst #homelesslivesmatter

ℹ New Resources to Address Unsheltered Homelessness and Encampment Challenges 🏘️ The Benioff Homelessness & Housing Initiative has gifted us with two new, evidence-based tools that focus on supporting unsheltered individuals and helping communities navigate encampment resolutions: 📄 Brief on Unsheltered Homelessness highlights the significant risks faced by people living unsheltered and outlines practical ways to help. 🛠️ Encampment Resolution Guide offers a protocol grounded in research for resolving encampments with a compassionate, community-centered approach. These resources are essential for anyone working in housing, homelessness, or policy. Evidence-based approaches are key to driving effective, humane, and lasting change. Let's ensure we're using the best tools available as we tackle these complex challenges together! 💡 #Homelessness #Unshelteredhomelessness #EncampmentResolution #EndHomelessness https://lnkd.in/eqVb4rx8

How Los Angeles Is Approaching Homelessness A conversation with the Times reporter who wrote about Mayor Karen Bass’s flagship program to solve homelessness. By Soumya Karlamangla About 171,000 people living in California are homeless, a total that has grown significantly over the past decade. If you live here, this has surely not gone without notice, as encampments have popped up on sidewalks and in public parks across the state in recent years. Though California accounts for 12 percent of the nation’s population, the state is home to 30 percent of all homeless people in the United States. My colleague Jill Cowan recently wrote about a new program spearheaded by Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles that’s aimed at eliminating the most visible encampments in the city. Bass took office in late 2022, and the program, Inside Safe, is at the core of her efforts to solve homelessness. The program provides motel rooms for homeless residents who agree to leave encampments, a shift from sweeps in which officials clear encampments and force people to leave. But while Inside Safe has moved more than 2,100 people into shelters, only 400 of them have since moved into permanent housing. That’s drawn criticism that the program is only a short-term fix and perhaps more for optics than helping Angelenos most in need. I spoke to Jill about her article and her reporting, which spanned more than a year. Here’s our conversation, lightly edited: #homelessness #homeless #publicpolicy #publicservice #nonprofit #nonprofits #housing #housingproblem #mentalillness #druguse #addiction #criminaljustice #healthcaresystem #healthcare #socialwork #poverty #socialservices #socialworkers #sociology