Housing Forward’s Post

Late last year we told you about an exciting new project and promised to keep you updated. OKC’s Key to Home initiative, a collaborative effort between City Care and 46 other agencies is aimed at decreasing unsheltered homelessness in our community by 75% in two years. In addition to housing, we offer neighbors wraparound services including: Document retrieval Mental and physical health resources  Connection to employment and education services Access to benefits for which they qualify Harm reduction Community integration Skill building and support for client-specific goals Wraparound services support housing stability and are a critical component of our neighbors’ success. To date, we’ve celebrated: 40 neighbors moved out of encampments and into housing! -96% of encampment residents accepted housing -0% have returned to homelessness 8% of our two-year goal. Stay tuned for a HUGE update coming in the next few weeks! For more information on the project, visit www.keytohomeokc.org #endhomelessness #housingfirst 

As homelessness rates in Kent County have risen throughout the past several years, we are convening with neighbors and industry leaders to formulate action against rising barriers to equitable housing. Through our Housing Stability Alliance we are actively working to dissolve homelessness, increase affordable housing, and eliminate the racial disparities within the system. Make a positive impact in our communities by joining Kent County changemakers to create system changes for housing. #KentCountyHousing #HousingSolutions

The highlight for me is what is possible when local leaders are in alignment with organizations that know best practices in housing clients.

As we actively work to close the housing gap in Kent County, we lean on the stories of those experiencing varying degrees of the #housingcrisis. More than 30% of renters use their household budget for housing costs and homelessness rates continue to increase. By amplifying the voices of those with #livedexperiences on the housing continuum we're taking a systemic approach to educating Kent County residents on the realities of the housing crisis. Visit the link below to learn more about the everyday experiences of Kent County residents on the housing continuum. #AffordableHousing #HousingSolutions

The All Neighbors Coalition received a 23% increase in annual funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 🤯 Dallas and Collin counties will receive over $27 million, a 23% increase over 2022 and a 44% increase over 2021, when the All Neighbors Coalition redesigned its approach to tackling homelessness by drawing on evidence-based strategies. This increase in funding is a direct result of the progress our system has made and the effective strategies we have put in place to help our unhoused neighbors get housed and access the services they need. Board Chair of Housing Forward Peter Brodsky said, “HUD allocates funding based on performance. The increase in funding for our community reflects the efficacy of the strategy employed by the All Neighbors Coalition to tackle homelessness, as well as its hard work doing the day-to-day, person-by-person work of helping our unhoused neighbors move into homes and get the services they need to be able to stay housed. It is terrific to see the virtuous cycle of progress leading to increased funding, which will allow us to make more progress.” Read the full announcement here: https://lnkd.in/g5bsWwcQ #EndHomelessness #HousingForward #AllNeighborsCoalition

The UCSF Benioff Homelessness & Housing Initiative's new unsheltered brief offers critical insights from the largest homelessness study in 30 years. As California faces rising unsheltered homelessness, this research and its accompanying encampment resolution tools are vital for developing evidence-based, housing-centered solutions. At Raphael House, we are committed to helping low-income and homeless families achieve stable housing and financial independence. This data is instrumental in shaping the broader conversation that informs our work. https://lnkd.in/gvCZcGDS

Progress that has been made in reducing veteran homelessness shows that with significant investment and political will, we can reduce homelessness, even among those with a history of mental illness or substance use disorders. Here in Alameda County, for example, veteran homelessness has decreased by 5% from 550 in 2022 to 524 in 2024. Read our Housing Plan to explain how we plan to tackle this problem at: www.achcd.org/reports. And leave your comments on the plan here: https://lnkd.in/gC8f-z6G. While overall homelessness has increased nationwide since 2009, veteran homelessness has fallen by half. Since 2008, Congress has spent billions of dollars providing rental assistance, in the form of housing vouchers, to homeless veterans. Vouchers come with no conditions; services such as drug treatment or mental health care are offered but not required. https://lnkd.in/g_97WF_b

The issue of homelessness transcends mere lack of shelter, encompassing a complex interplay of social exclusionary factors that only exacerbate poverty, limit opportunities and create barriers to full participation in society. Effectively addressing homelessness demands more than short term fixes. It requires holistic solutions that go beyond housing to facilitate meaningful societal integration that break the cycle of housing instability permanently.

A recent Washington Post article sheds light on the severe shortage of affordable housing. As an organization committed to changing lives through affordable housing, we recognize the urgency of finding innovative solutions to ensure that America's working families have access to safe homes. The Biden Administration's $5.5 billion initiative aims to boost affordable housing and support community development, but it's clear that more must be done at every level of government and society. This challenge requires us to rethink our strategies, streamline regulations and promote new types of housing that cater to low- and moderate-income families. Personal stories from those facing housing insecurity highlight the human side of this crisis, reminding us that behind every statistic is a family striving for stability and opportunity. At Highridge Costa we are committed to rolling up our sleeves and working with all stakeholders to develop solutions that address these needs and advocate for policies that support affordable housing initiatives. Together, we can make a significant impact and ensure that everyone has a place to call home. #AffordableHousing #HousingCrisis #CommunityDevelopment #PolicyReform #InnovativeSolutions #HousingForAll #HighridgeCosta https://lnkd.in/e4vQEgrK

There are now well tested, ready-to-implement solutions that help people successfully and humanely regain housing while simultaneously and successfully closing encampments (permanently) to address community concerns. The only barrier: elected officials. Every sensible person who cares about ending the daily trauma people are experience being unsheltered, and the challenges and concerns this causes for the greater community, should be demanding elected officials support cost effective solutions like the street to housing model Mandy and her team are helping communities implement. These aren't too expensive or beyond our means, as other public health emergencies have shown us. In fact, not doing this - not addressing the public health emergency that is homelessness with solutions and not shackles will cost us all so much more.