Alvaro Cortes, Ph.D’s Post

'By empowering local governments to act more decisively and efficiently, SB 1395 stands to significantly reduce the time it takes to transition individuals from the streets to safe, supportive environments. The practical impact of this cannot be overstated: faster construction would mean quicker relief for those suffering in the harshest conditions...' Read more about how SB 1395 could help address California's unsheltered homelessness crisis in this co-authored piece in the San Diego Union-Tribune. #dignitymoves #SanDiego imaginable.https://https://lnkd.in/e3CUhcHZ

https://lnkd.in/ex6Rr8_7 #bettersocietycapital Britain has the worst record on homelessness in the developed world. Our vision on what homelessness is needs to change. #bsc leading the initiative on this hugely important issue facing the UK

If you hear about the increasing efforts to criminalize homelessness and deprioritize permanent housing, it’s important to consider the detrimental impacts first and figure out exactly who is delivering the harmful message.

NEW: Solving a problem as wide and deep as the homelessness crisis can feel like an impossibly long journey. The only way to get there is to take the first step. Read the latest Opinion from Alan Broadbent and Elizabeth McIsaac. https://lnkd.in/gjEND9ma

Last week, three major Supreme Court rulings were made that will DEFINITELY impact you: 🏘 Through its Grant's Pass decision, justices said that anyone can be punished for sleeping outside. Regardless of if shelters are full or if housing is too expensive in your neighborhood. Or worse, if they just want to kick you out of a public place for existing. 🤑 In the Snyder decision, justices deemed that bribes were not against the law. Political corruption will be harder to penalize. Or worse, industry interests and those with money can now reward politicians for policy that favors them. 🏛 With the Chevron decision, the Court removed the power that federal agencies have over their own regulations. This means important cross-cutting issues like public health, the environment, and workplace safety should receive outside judgement. Or worse, private interests will continue to dominate what should be public decisions. These decisions are appalling, anti-people and anti-common sense. They will result in worse health and more homelessness. They will make Climate Change worse. They will make any of the work that you're doing in the broad social good space, harder. FwdSlash is going to keep fighting for solutions that are grounded in compassion for everyone. Personally, now that these rulings are made, I think we should start by *bribing some politicians* to set rent limits, implement eviction moratoria, and increase access to behavioral health and primary care services. Regardless, we'll work towards addressing the needs of the historically oppressed, displaced or marginalized, not making their lives harder. Read more about our commitment in our latest blog post.

⚖ The Supreme Court is about to rule in the case of the City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson, the first major case on homelessness to be heard by the Supreme Court since the 1980s. The case will determine the constitutionality of ticketing, fining, or arresting people for sleeping outdoors on public property, even if leaders have failed to produce enough affordable housing or shelter for everyone in the community who needs it. But let’s be real: even a favorable ruling will not bring us any closer to ending homelessness in this country. It will, however, make clear the responsibility of elected officials at the federal, state, and local levels to produce sufficient permanent housing solutions and shelter accommodations for every person in their communities who needs them. For that, we need significant investments in evidence-based solutions to homelessness – like low barrier shelter; affordable housing; and services at the federal, state, and local levels. Before a decision comes out, read the latest from my colleague Marcy Thompson for the National Alliance to End Homelessness. #endhomelessness #housingfirst #scotus https://lnkd.in/ew6-VvnX

A very important read about the false promises of laws that would criminalize homelessness. In practice, these laws aren't reducing homelessness at all. In fact, they're creating chaos and making the work to rehouse people even harder. The reason is simple: because they are written by people who don't understand the issue at all, but do understand the political advantages of demonizing vulnerable populations. https://lnkd.in/ea2UCe2V

Maytree and West End Phoenix have launched un/SHELTERED: Toronto Design Challenge. Through this challenge, we are seeking imaginative, innovative built-form designs for people who are homeless and unsheltered. We are looking for designs that are practical and feasible. Most importantly, we are seeking designs that protect every person’s inherent human dignity. un/SHELTERED is a challenge and an opportunity: entrants can demonstrate how their design can meet the needs of a person who has been excluded from our current housing system. At the same time, it’s an opportunity for entrants to share their vision of a proposed structure, which can broaden our understanding of what’s possible. We are looking for new ideas and new designs that help us imagine that first step – better responses to the human rights violation of unsheltered homelessness.  Help us spread the word. We need to take that first step now. https://lnkd.in/gjEND9ma

This is an important case with national implications to keep an eye on. "In April, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear a major case that could reshape how cities manage homelessness. The legal issue is whether they can fine or arrest people for sleeping outside if there's no shelter available. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has deemed this cruel and unusual punishment, and this case is a pivotal challenge to that ruling. The high court declined to take up a similar case in 2019. But since then, homelessness rates have climbed relentlessly. Street encampments have grown larger and have expanded to new places, igniting intense backlash from residents and businesses. Homelessness and the lack of affordable housing that's helping to drive it have become key issues for many voters. The case, Grants Pass v. Johnson, could have dramatic implications for the record number of people living in tents and cars across the United States." https://lnkd.in/g7kZeNNj

Here it is, the last of my blog posts on the new Housing (Scotland) Bill. This covers the homelessness reforms that are proposed. As ever, comments/thoughts welcome. https://lnkd.in/eNXZYY_E