Buchi Arevalo-Asemota’s Post

Navigating the Intersection of Politics and Homelessness: A Call for Informed Advocacy In a recent article by Salon, the potential bipartisan effort to criminalize homelessness has been brought to light. As professionals committed to positive societal change, it is crucial for us to engage in informed discussions surrounding homelessness, understanding the complexities involved. Let's explore the nuances of this issue and consider alternative approaches to address the root causes. Understanding the Issue: The article highlights the possibility of bipartisan support for criminalizing homelessness, sparking concerns about the impact on vulnerable individuals. While addressing public safety is important, it is equally crucial to approach homelessness with empathy and a comprehensive understanding of the underlying factors contributing to this social challenge. Root Causes: Homelessness is often a result of a myriad of interconnected issues such as economic instability, mental health struggles, and lack of affordable housing. Criminalizing homelessness may not be the most effective solution, as it fails to address these root causes. Instead, we should advocate for policies that promote affordable housing, mental health support, and economic opportunities for those in need. Advocating for Comprehensive Solutions: As professionals in our respective fields, we have the power to influence change by advocating for comprehensive solutions. This may involve supporting initiatives that focus on affordable housing projects, mental health resources, and job training programs. By addressing these fundamental issues, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and compassionate society. Engaging in Constructive Dialogue: LinkedIn provides a unique platform for professionals to engage in meaningful discussions. Let's leverage this space to foster constructive dialogues around homelessness, sharing insights, and proposing alternative solutions. By staying informed and actively participating in these conversations, we can contribute to shaping policies that prioritize empathy and understanding. Collaboration Across Sectors: Addressing homelessness requires collaboration across various sectors, including government, non-profits, businesses, and individuals. As professionals, we can play a pivotal role in fostering partnerships that promote innovative solutions and advocate for policies that prioritize long-term societal well-being over punitive measures. Conclusion: In the face of potential bipartisan efforts to criminalize homelessness, it is essential for professionals to take a stand for empathy, understanding, and comprehensive solutions. By staying informed, engaging in constructive dialogues, and advocating for policies that address root causes, we can contribute to a society that values the dignity and well-being of all its members. Let us work together to make a positive impact and create a more inclusive future for everyone. #invisiblesnomore

It is disappointing and disheartening to be part of action-planning discussions in September to address extreme weather situations that will threaten life and limb in the winter months to come only to find limited, or no support for daytime warming centers or additional overnight spaces when the need arises. 'Leaving people where they are' (huddled behind shopping cart windbreaks or in summer tents covered in low-quality tarps) as opposed to actively moving them along during double-digit negative temperatures and upwards of a foot of snow falling shouldn't be seen as 'helping'. That is, quite literally, doing nothing for individuals in dire need of shelter, assistance, and support. When the temperatures rise and the snow disappears the cycle of talking about how to address how to support those living in vulnerable environments or living unhoused in harsh weather will start anew. We should do better, we can do better. Time will tell if we actually do any better.

Restoring local control and providing additional tools is a win for city government and our communities. Homelessness is a multifaceted issue and city’s know BEST how to address the issue in their community. Balancing quality of life, resource distribution, and housing is best tasked with those at the local level. #SCOTUS #LocalGov #LocalControl

Tips, Info, Homless Camp Cleanups ! Homeless camp cleanups are not about picking up trash left behind by desperate people. Rather, they are about taking a hard look at a complex issue. Governments focusing on cleaning up homeless camps cleanups have to balance several key factors to create a healthier situation for everyone. Safety: • Public health – Removal and disposal of biohazards, sanitation issues, and hazardous materials, a.k .a. the clean up. • Community safety – Crime and criminal activity associated with homeless camps. • Personal safety – Ensuring the safety of cleanup workers and residents of the homeless camp. Humanity: • Compassionate treatment – Are the residents' dignity and privacy being respected? • Offer of assistance – What services do residents need to transition out of homelessness? Are they available and easy to use? Sustainability: • Addressing root causes: Implementing solutions to prevent the re-establishment of homeless camps • Community involvement: Engaging the community to develop and implement long-term solutions • Data-driven approach: Using data to measure progress and inform future decisions See It Gone Junk Removal offers local and state governments the means to clean up the remains of a homeless camp safely and with environmentally sound practices. We clean up the bio-waste, junk, and trash and remove dangerous structures from homeless encampments. With the homeless camp cleanup delegated, governmental officials can focus on finding solutions to the underlying causes of homelessness. See It Gone Junk Removal proudly serves • Yuba City • Marysville • Natomas • Rocklin • Roseville • Sacramento We are licensed and insured even commercially. We also on the vendor list so we service Property Managers , Real Estate Agents , Real Estate investment Groups , as well as The General public ☎️(530) 845-1270 ✅ Free Quotes ✅ Curbside Pick-ups ✅ same day or next day service ✅Approved /Verified Vendor ✅licensed & Insured. ✅ FIVE STAR REVIEWS⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ https://lnkd.in/dw9cP2jU #junkjournal #junkremovalservice #junkremoval #junkremovalbusiness #junkhauling #junkremovalservices #greatcustomerservice #junkremovalnearme #trashremoval

I often write about community 👨👩👧👦 Community is more than people in a geography. It could be those who share common interests, idea, bonds. Community is people. And community is voluntary -- you may fit the criteria... but your participation is optional. The strength of a community can be magnified when stressed. Much like a workout 🏋️♀️stresses the body, but can make one stronger. Recent storms hit the Houston area. After a week, some are still without power. Some have home damage. In Jersey Village -- and I'm sure in other places -- our community got stronger when put to this challenge. Neighbors checked on and helped neighbors. We shared generators. We offered charging stations. Those with power offered our homes & space to friends & fam without. We provided freezer space for those in need. We tried to keep life normal for each other's kids who were out of school for several days. We visited local restaurants who missed a day (and lost perishables) due to power issues. We picked-up yards, helping move downed trees & branches so they could be picked-up. We communicated: face to face, through facebook, and with the local government. We recognized our limitations, but showed appreciation for the level of effort. When at our most helpless -- and when power is out of your control, you ARE helpless -- people became most helpful. That is community. That is community getting stronger.

This decision was entirely predictable and communities can make this work. We can and must re-establish the locally-driven, seamless bidirectional Continuum of Care that existed prior to the "Housing First" eligibility screen being being muscled into place in 1999 that REQUIRES people to live on the street continuously for a year and have a disability before they can receive even basic assistance to maintain their housing or quickly, reestablish it. Furthermore, emergency, shelters and transitional housing were intentionally put out of service, and the money was "repositioned" leaving us with little funding for an emergency response and the quality of shelters became more more difficult to maintain. Transitional housing was completely put out of service. An underhanded recognition that transitional housing is absolutely necessary. Part of the continuum experts are now talking about "interim to permanent housing" that is not an obvious admission that transitional housing should never have been shuttered. We can avoid needless suffering and improve the lives of all of our brothers and sisters with a flexible locally responsible approach that includes a seamless continuum of options from prevention, all the way to permanent supportive housing, and everything in between (as used to be the case). Flexibility is the only way to go forward. I do not know what ends homelessness - and neither does anyone else- until I meet the person. The solution is different for everyone. Have a conversation with a person experiencing housing instability and respond accordingly. Under the current coordinated entry system run by 211 this is not what's going on. (if anyone disagrees with this call 211 and see if that's what's going on right now because it isn't but the good news is we can do better). #grantspass #endhomelessness #rebuildthecontinuum. https://lnkd.in/eNn48_DT

🚨 Addressing Hamilton’s Homelessness: A Community Concern 🚨 As of July 2024, the visibility of tent cities in Hamilton, especially around scenic areas like Bayfront Park, is sparking a significant conversation. We all value compassion, but it is crucial to address how these encampments affect everyone’s use of public spaces. What You Should Know: Scenic Views vs. Shelter: Should prime locations like Bayfront Park become long-term encampment sites? Safety Concerns: Is it acceptable for safety issues to deter individuals, particularly women, from feeling secure on the Hamilton waterfront trail at night? Health and Safety: How can we tackle the presence of garbage and needles in areas where our families gather? We Need Your Voice: The city is revisiting how to manage these challenges, and your input is critical. A balance must be struck to maintain our community's safety and cleanliness while supporting those in need. Let’s Discuss: What are your thoughts on finding sustainable solutions for our city’s homelessness issue? - - - #HamiltonRealEstate #CommunitySafety #JoeCallariTeam #UrbanLiving https://zurl.co/KkuX

Today, MSP’s mobile outreach is on-site at a larger encampment outside the downtown area, preparing residents to work with Siloam Mission’s M.O.S.T. team on a mindful cleanup. Main Street Project has been visiting this encampment all summer, supporting those living unsheltered with support towards housing and basic needs and with regular light clean up around their living area. Yet, without regular pick-up from the city (such as with residential garbage pick-up), the job is too big and has those living at the camp relying too much on neighboring dumpsters - which shouldn’t be used in the first place. Here’s where the City’s Encampment Garbage Clean Up Initiative comes in. MSP flagged this site with our working group for extra clean-up support. The job was approved, and a date was set. Throughout the week, MSP has been letting residents know that a mindful clean-up was scheduled for today and that they should start readying the camp to remove more items all at once. MSP staff helped residents with final prep this morning before Siloam Mission’s MOST clean-up team arrived. This last contact ensures that there aren’t any surprises and that anyone with discomfort regarding strangers being present at the camp can receive some support. Siloam’s crew is removing all unneeded items to freshen things up and improve the area for campers, the environment, people walking by, and neighbouring residents. We love to be a part of this amazing and mindful community collaboration. 💛 Our mindful approach to encampment clean-ups aligns with the principles we outlined in our previous post, Garbage Clean-up Initiative, as part of our educational series A Human Rights Approach to Homelessness. By working collaboratively with our partners, we’re committed to supporting the garbage clean-up initiative in encampments while respecting the dignity and rights of all individuals. Check out the full post to learn more about our mindful clean-up initiatives: https://ow.ly/YhxY50T4joZ #MSPBuildingStability #Winnipeg #Manitoba

As it gets colder and colder in South Dakota, please pray for those who find themselves looking for shelter and housing during the colder winter months. You can help by tagging resources that help with shelter & other resources during winter in the comments below. #prayerrequest