Christopher C. Townsend Sr., DM’s Post

Interim shelter models are necessary and effective in helping to address the displacement crisis we are facing here and across the globe. More attainable permanent housing will help to prevent homelessness. Interim shelter models coupled with necessary services to address root cause issues are necessary to move the 650k+ people currently living unhoused toward independence. Without moving people to self-sufficiency, the solution to this crisis is not sustainable. Just providing housing is not, never has been, and will never be enough. We cannot build our way to a solution now. https://lnkd.in/gxWEw9KX

As cities begin to clear encampments following Governor Newsom’s recent decision, it is important to recognize that this is not a comprehensive solution to Los Angeles' homelessness crisis. Homelessness in LA is a complex, multifaceted issue that demands an approach sensitive to the unique circumstances of each individual and family in need of immediate support. We created Better Angels to solve LA’s homelessness epidemic through a holistic approach that includes: Prevention, Sanitation, Services, Shelter and Housing. https://lnkd.in/gPuvhwFa

The devastating decision of the U.S. Supreme Court today allowing cities to continue to criminalize homelessness, even if people have nowhere else to go, is disappointing yet unsurprising. It fits in with the inefficient, ineffective, and inhumane belief that punishing people for trying to survive will somehow remedy a homelessness crisis caused by lack of affordable housing. When shelters are closed, beds are full, and no affordable options are available, housing status is not a choice. Attempting to eliminate visible homelessness through camping bans and criminalization is a knee-jerk reaction to a complex problem that demands intentional solutions like investments in housing, shelters, and appropriate services. The decision today is short-sighted and fails to incentivize local and state governments to invest and implement real solutions to homelessness that improve people’s lives and communities. #JohnsonVGrantsPass #HousingnotHandcuffs Read our full statement on our website https://lnkd.in/gfQSzyrk

📰 SAMMinistries in the News 🏠🔑 "San Antonio is on track to nearly double encampment sweeps this year" by Iris Dimmick and San Antonio Report "According to data provided by the City of San Antonio, San Antonio has already surpassed its goal to get 400 people into shelter or housing this year. Between October 2023 and March 2024, the homeless response system helped 934 individuals move from the streets to shelter or housing, the city’s new data dashboard shows. ... However, more than 1,450 people became unhoused or returned to the street for a net of 751 people who found shelter or more permanent housing." "Ultimately, San Antonio needs more shelter, housing and rehabilitation options." - Nikisha Bronson Baker, President and CEO of SAMMinistries. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ewvvz5Uk #PermanentSupportiveHousing #OvercomingHomelessness

Los Angeles has turned to tiny home communities as a potential solution to its growing homelessness crisis. Situated on city-owned land, these communities feature 64-square-foot units intended to offer a private, secure alternative to street sleeping and crowded shelters. 🏠 ~ However, issues like severe flooding, insufficient space, and proximity to industrial noise challenge their viability as long-term housing solutions. With LA facing a drastic shortage of affordable housing, these tiny homes spark a critical conversation: "Are they a temporary fix or a sustainable step toward resolving homelessness?" #TinyHomes #HousingCrisis #LosAngeles #SustainableLiving

L.A. County's 2024 Point In Time Count survey shows a 2% drop in the number of unhoused people living in the city! 👏 🏡 This noteworthy shift is a sign of reprioritization, starting with city and county officials declaring homelessness an emergency and followed by rent subsidies, housing vouchers, and eviction protections to keep families housed. Still, more can always be done. "Getting people into temporary housing and shelter is important. But moving people into permanent housing is what will make the homeless numbers go down significantly." Learn more and share this hopeful news from our neighboring county 🎉 https://lat.ms/3S8ULim

🌟 From Shelter Beds to Affordable Housing 🌟 The journey to secure stable housing is vital for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Each element of the ABC's for housing are interconnected, necessary, and offer a clear pathway to address this need: A = Any Bed: Immediate shelter is the first step. Providing safe and accessible emergency shelter beds ensures no one is left without a roof over their head. B = Better Bed: Transitional housing comes next. These "better beds" offer a more stable environment where individuals can access supportive services, work towards personal goals, and start rebuilding their lives. C = Continuous Home: The ultimate goal is permanent, affordable housing. A continuous home provides long-term stability, allowing people to thrive in a secure and supportive community. By ensuring a continuum from emergency shelter to affordable housing, we can create a system that supports individuals every step of the way, fostering stability, dignity, and hope for a brighter future. #HousingForAll #AffordableHousing #EndHomelessness

Last week’s Manhattan Supreme Court ruling that blocked City Council legislation expanding access to the CityFHEPS rental assistance program is profoundly disappointing. As many as 60% of families and 85% of single adults in VOA-GNY shelters do not meet the current onerous eligibility requirements for CityFHEPS vouchers. This ruling ensures that they will remain unable to access the vital rental assistance they need to live independently. Countless more New Yorkers who are struggling to afford their rent will have no choice but to enter the shelter system because they are unable to qualify for these desperately needed vouchers. At a time of record homelessness, New York should be doing everything in its power to expand access to critical benefits that help as many people as possible exit and avoid homelessness. We remain committed to finding a path forward – implementing and scaling tried-and-true, cost-effective solutions that house individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness. #cityfheps #nychousing #housingpolicy

A disheartening story came out this weekend sharing two very real, negative experiences of residents living in an interim shelter village. For the two stories shared here, I can tell you tens of thousands of incredibly hopeful, joyful, life-giving ones from our 125+ sites. I know this model isn’t for everyone. I also know homelessness requires a variety of solutions working in concert – to embrace only a single solution is both discouraging and short-sighted as we work toward our collective goal of ending unsheltered homelessness. It will take collaboration and joint action, something Pallet has always believed in, and that we remain committed to on the path forward. Pallet remains laser-focused on our mission: to provide life-saving shelter access with wrap-around social services support and living wage jobs to marginalized and impacted populations within the US, allowing people to find stability and build their future. More than 60% of residents at Pallet sites across 25 states and 86 cities transition to permanent housing. Interim shelter models like this are successful, scalable and needed. Our sites have provided dignity, safety, security and opportunity to many. The homelessness crisis requires solutions and organizations acting with urgency and humility, alongside housing that is long-term and permanent. https://2024/06/15/realestate/tiny-homes-homelessness.html

We’re in for another horrifying winter where homelessness people are maimed or die outside. This is an entirely solvable problem - solvable by taking the exact same approach we do when natural disaster strikes, a key element of which can be providing rapidly deployable ‘work camp’ housing to provide low barrier, supportive, housing focused shelter. Exactly as we did for people who lost their homes in Calgary’s 2013 flood and other similar disasters. https://lnkd.in/eY9tYXQY