Front Porch Communities & Services’ Post

As a seasoned professional in the realm of social services, I have dedicated my career to advocating for vulnerable populations, particularly children within the child welfare system and the unhoused. However, amidst this journey, I've come to recognize a silent yet profoundly vulnerable group that often goes unnoticed: seniors experiencing homelessness. While my focus initially revolved around children and transition-aged youth (TAY), my experiences have led me to expand my efforts to encompass the pressing needs of seniors. These individuals, often facing complex health challenges and limited access to resources, are navigating the harsh realities of homelessness with little support or attention. It's imperative that we, as a community and as professionals in the field, acknowledge and address the plight of seniors experiencing homelessness. This demographic faces unique challenges, including limited access to housing, healthcare, and social services, which significantly impact their quality of life and life expectancy. Our work in social services is far from over. We must come together to devise comprehensive strategies that not only prioritize securing housing for seniors but also address their broader needs, including healthcare, social support, and opportunities for meaningful engagement. As we embark on this mission, let us strive to restore dignity and pride to the lives of seniors experiencing homelessness. Every individual deserves to age with grace and security, and it's our collective responsibility to ensure that no one is left behind on this journey called life. #SocialServices #Homelessness #SeniorCare #CommunityEngagement #Advocacy

Family homelessness in the U.S. is on the rise in an alarming sign of how the increasing cost of goods, the ever-tightening housing supply and the end of most pandemic-era benefits are putting pressure on Americans. Some 72,700 people in families with children were experiencing homelessness in 20 of the largest cities in the nation as of January, a 37.6% jump from a year before, according to an analysis of data provided by jurisdictions. In New York, that figure shot up by two-thirds, while Chicago, the District of Columbia and Fort Worth, Texas, also saw outsize increases. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/e7qWBG3f

When I learned to drive, a family member instructed me on what they coined “roll room:” leaving about six feet of space in front of my car at a stoplight so I could “roll” forward in case the homeless person on the corner tried to approach my window. There are constant narratives behind this reasoning, a self-comforting blanket we can throw over why we might cross the street to avoid walking too close to someone living on it, why we might avert eye contact or sit blankly as a person with a grocery cart of their belongings screams into the air, fighting a battle only visible to them. Stereotypes and stigma around homelessness often encompass drugs, PTSD and other mental illnesses, and systemic factors within the economy, government and society. “They’re just going to use the money for drugs;” “If they wanted to get help, they would;” these phrases might sound familiar to some. Passersby might contribute a smile, some food, a conversation and a few dollars, and some might devote their lives and careers to advocacy and activism for people experiencing homelessness. No matter the effort, however, one fact remains: the homeless population is growing. And while there is plenty of ongoing research as to why and what can be done to amend it, I feel as though sometimes the humanity can get lost in analytics and politics. Did anyone who was counted in the Point in Time Count ever play in AYSO? Did anyone of the 1,887 homeless individuals ever fall in love? Did the person who screams in the street ever race down them with their childhood friends? Turns out, some did. https://lnkd.in/gRDY3nSP

Homelessness doesn’t discriminate by age, and a troubling trend is on the rise: more adults aged 50+ are facing homelessness. It’s time we address this pressing issue with compassion and action. Read more about this growing concern in the article from Next Avenue. #Homelessness #AgingPopulation #CommunitySupport Link to the article: Homelessness After Age 50 Is Rising

🚨 America is facing a housing crisis: 🏘️ 3.2 million  The number of homes we are short by. 👤 653,104 The number of Americans who were unhoused on one night in 2023 💰 $117,000 The income needed to afford a median home (up 20% from 2020) 🧒 111,620  The number of children without homes last year. 🧑🏾🦱 64%  The percentage of unhoused individuals who are Black or Hispanic/Latino. 📉 60%  The percentage that active housing listings have fallen since 2020 ✌️ 2 The number of people who enter homelessness for every one person that transitions out of it. ☝️ 1 The number of actions you can take to make a difference. I know these numbers are staggering and it’s easy to feel like you’re unable to help. But small, individual actions matter. So here is 1 simple thing you can do this week: -> Google “housing advocacy” and your city or state name to find the organizations driving change on the local level. Follow them on social media and sign up for their newsletter. Information and engagement are precursors for change – by following and engaging with those driving change, you make a difference. If you have other ideas for “1 action” people can take to fight our housing crisis comment below 👇  #housingcrisis #homelessnessawareness #socialchange

While I have lived experience with homelessness, this doesn't mean I speak for anyone but myself. I do have professional expertise in public policy, communications, and writing, however, that uniquely qualifies and informs this view. "Unhoused" replacing "homeless" is the most insidious type of Orwellian gobbledygook. It is not precise — not all homes are houses — and it also capitulates to the most harmful relativist claptrap thought up by people more concerned with the latest terminology than actual solutions to homelessness. They say ridiculous things like "encampments are home to some so homeless is offensive" instead of finding it offensive that we even allow people to sleep outside in gutters without toilets. Or they want to "destigmatize" read as normalize homelessness so refer to people as "unhoused neighbors" like it's a lifestyle choice and not the consequence of 40 years of deliberate choices and policy failures they are responsible for due to voting choices. Personally, don't ever refer to me as "formerly unhoused." I was homeless. That's descriptive, precise, and alarming. Either it's a crisis or it's not.

🏘️ Annual street counts are a snapshot; your community needs a video. Getting to zero takes line of sight into how people move through your system over time 🤔 A solution? Comprehensive, real-time, by-name data 📊 Built for Zero communities work to know everyone experiencing homelessness by name, in real time. The result is more tailored solutions for individuals and a clearer picture of the system as a whole. #HomelessnessIsSolvable Learn more about the approach ⬇️ https://bit.ly/3OowoeS

"Number of unhoused people 65 and older could triple by 2030" - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 💡 Wealth concentrated in the hands of few has left many behind, and the numbers speak volumes. Did you know the number of unhoused individuals aged 65 and older could triple by 2030? This startling projection underscores the urgency of addressing wealth inequality and its consequences. It's time to act decisively. #WealthInequality #ElderlyHomelessness #SocialJustice #InequalityCrisis #TakeActionNow 🏠 https://lnkd.in/gr7kwU_3

Need to break down constraints to housing supply that makes housing supply inelastic. That is how we will reduce the share of the population that is housing insecure or homeless.

Living in Portland, I've seen firsthand the complex issue of homelessness that our city grapples with. It's not just about numbers; it's about the stories, the struggles, and the untapped potential of every individual affected. Taking a walk through Portland's neighborhoods, you can't help but notice the presence of unhoused individuals. It's a stark reminder that compassion and action are needed now more than ever. Engaging in conversations with unhoused individuals unveils their diverse backgrounds and stories. Each person has unique aspirations and talents, yet they face barriers that hinder their progress. It's crucial that we amplify the efforts of organizations providing shelter, food, and support services. Through collective efforts, we can create an environment where every person in Portland has the chance to thrive. The power of collective action is evident, and it's time for all of us to contribute. By supporting policies that prioritize affordable housing, employment opportunities, and mental health services, we can reshape the future of our city and create pathways out of homelessness. Let's keep the conversation alive and advocate for change. #HumanityFirst #PortlandCares