HKS Government Performance Lab’s Post

As the school year begins, teachers and school social workers are reminded of the toll housing instability can have on students—students’ school attendance and academic performance can be negatively impacted. That’s where Stable Homes Stable Schools comes in. The innovative partnership between MPHA, City of Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minneapolis Public Schools, and YMCA of the North addresses homelessness among Minneapolis Public Schools students’ families. The SHSS program addresses homelessness among Minneapolis Public Schools students’ families through various levels of support: emergency short-term assistance, multi-year rental assistance, and case management. For more than 1,900 families and 4,500 children —like Shantel’s—SHSS has been a lifeline. Read about its impact: bit.ly/2024SHSS

SAFE SPACES - Call for Funding Proposals - DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED! CFP Closing Date and Time: March 5, 2024 @ 4:30 pm To enhance access to Safe Spaces for older adults experiencing abuse, a Safe Spaces program model in various communities will be used in a call for proposals across the province. Overarching principles of the Safe Spaces program include: ☑️Demonstrated demand within the community ☑️Available space at local community older adults housing such as a Lodge ☑️Willing and able partners in the community ☑️Sustainable partnership model ☑️Cost efficiency The program model will be based on the Lethbridge Elder Abuse Response Network (LEARN) Safe Suites model. The LEARN Safe Suites (Safe Spaces) model is flexible and responsive to demand and available resources. The model uses existing community infrastructure (e.g., local seniors housing providers) to match seniors in need of Safe Spaces with available suites. Please note that this CFP is open to currently grant funded communities with the AEAAC. Further details regarding program details granting process and timelines can be found @ https://loom.ly/seUJRd4

In Maricopa County, a collaborative initiative offers vital resources to those facing eviction, uniting community and legal systems in support. At the Southwest Regional Justice Center, key players such as judges and legal advocates outlined available assistance, emphasizing a supportive approach over punitive actions. This effort, which includes sealing eviction cases to protect credit scores, offers individuals a fresh start and combats housing insecurity. This approach significantly benefits the community by fostering resilience and care. By ensuring that tenants have access to virtual hearings and necessary legal resources, the system is adapting to meet the needs of our community. Such measures help prevent eviction, contributing to community health by averting homelessness. They stand as a testament to the power of support in overcoming adversity and ensuring stability. A New Leaf sees this initiative as a reflection of its mission to change lives through support and opportunity. It underscores the importance of community collaboration in providing a safety net, aligning closely with A New Leaf's commitment to helping those in need navigate towards a brighter future. https://lnkd.in/giPBnBgH

Discover how Neighborhood Resilience Project is transforming communities in Pittsburgh. From trauma-informed care to addressing systemic issues, this faith-based initiative is creating real change and healing where it's needed most. Read more about their development program here: https://lnkd.in/eacV9Sxb #CommunityTransformation 

"Effective community intervention programs have become instrumental in addressing the root causes of delinquency. These initiatives encompass a broad spectrum of strategies, including early intervention, educational support, mentoring, and conflict resolution. The emphasis on rehabilitation over incarceration has shown promising results in reducing repeat offenses and enhancing community safety." https://lnkd.in/g75tjVZy Life Decisions is helping youth get back on track, stay out of trouble and reach healthy adulthood. We cannot do what we do, without the support and investment of the community. Partner with us by supporting the work we do. Together, Bringing Restoration to Rockford. https://lnkd.in/g6j2_X7Q

What is Community Resiliency (formerly known as Community Safety Net)? United Way invests in partners and programs that provide emergency food, housing, child care, advocacy and other services to help friends and neighbors navigate challenging situations. Who needs Community Resiliency help? Those in need could be like John, a single parent who has to go on a job interview but has no one to watch his children … or Amelia, a young mom who must choose between putting gas into her car or buying food for her kids’ next meal … or Juan, a veteran who is unhoused and needs a safe place to sleep. UWCM invests in organizations that provide short-term help to meet urgent needs and long-term solutions that address the root causes of issues. By dialing 211, Central Minnesotans are able to find resources that can help during difficult times. Learn more: https://hubs.la/Q02Lt-d20

Homelessness causes countless disruptions to a child’s education. The impact of housing instability is the greatest barrier to a student's success in school. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2021 "Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Programs, Homeless Populations, and Subpopulations" report for Pennsylvania, from the Point-in-Time Survey, there were 2,441 children under the age of 18 identified as residing in emergency shelter or transitional housing, or living in unsheltered conditions. However, the Point-in-Time Survey is but only a glimpse at the landscape and magnitude of housing instability, and its negative effects on our students. Help HCEF build a brighter, safer, more equitable future for our students. Only together can we succeed!💙

Peel Region had a strong presence at the 2024 AMO conference and I’m pleased to see that our HOME advocacy framework was featured.   Peel’s affordable housing crisis is impacting residents from all walks of life and with a range of needs; from people experiencing chronic homelessness to households spending far too much on housing costs, and one crisis away from precarious housing.  While our staff and community partners have adapted to the changing housing landscape and are delivering programs and supports that are aligned with community need, we need all levels of government to work together to enact policies to help more residents get and keep affordable, stable housing. This includes providing significantly more funding for community (social) and supportive housing. Last year, we launched our HOME advocacy framework; built on extensive research, sector expertise, and achievable goals. Since its launch we have had encouraging discussions with federal, provincial, and municipal governments. We will continue to make the case for HOME and report on its progress. Access our 2024 Housing AMO briefing note: https://bit.ly/4cx42by  

🏠💡 Discover what our cohort programme at HOME is all about Are you curious how we transform lives at HOME? Our cohort program is at the heart of our mission, designed to provide comprehensive support to groups of individuals transitioning out of homelessness. Here’s what the programme involves: Holistic Support: Participants receive tailored support covering everything from housing & health services to job training & financial literacy, ensuring they have the tools needed for a sustainable future. Community Building: Each cohort creates a supportive network, fostering a sense of community and belonging. This network is crucial for emotional and practical support, helping participants thrive during the programme and long after. Continuous Improvement: Feedback from each cohort helps us refine and enhance the programme, ensuring we always meet the needs of those we serve most effectively. Empowerment Through Stability: The ultimate goal of our cohort program is to empower individuals by providing stable housing first, followed by support services that address their specific needs.

Join me at the 2024 Florida Conference on Ending Homelessness on October 15th in Orlando, Florida. https://lnkd.in/eMBZQ9vp. Finding the Where to Care: Mobile Response to the Unhoused This session explores various roles and strategies to effectively engage with unhoused individuals. This session will delve into person-centered strategies aimed at engaging and breaking down barriers to care for those experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Additionally, highlighting the invaluable benefits of adopting a multi-disciplinary team approach with resources and programs, amplifying support and outcomes for marginalized communities. Explore the foundational principles and technical components essential for effective implementation of a street medicine team. How a community has addressed the increase need in their city including funding used to kickstart the redesign of street outreach with four principles to move them forward.