Homelessness Policy Research Institute’s Post

20% of women across the state who become homeless are fleeing their homes to escape domestic violence. This figure comes from new study cited by The Los Angeles Times: Toward Safety, Understanding Intimate Partner Violence and Homelessness, by UCSF's Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative. Here in Los Angeles, the numbers are even more alarming. 📝 Our study: The Hard Facts: LA Homelessness and Housing By the Numbers - released in November of 2023 found that in Los Angeles alone 37% of unhoused people had experienced some type of intimate partner violence. That's almost double the statewide average. 🔍 We compiled these city-specific stats in one place to illustrate how much work is still before us because our message is clear: the time for action is now. Download our full report at https://lnkd.in/gpUeZkgb. To view the study, Toward Safety, Understanding Intimate Partner Violence and Homelessness,  visit

The Incredible team at the Children and Youth Planning Table of Waterloo Region have released The 2023 Youth Impact Survey "Experiences of Homelessness Snapshot". This is number six out of eight disaggregated snapshots based on the 2023 Youth Impact Survey data. Centring the voice of Children and Youth is a critical strategic objective, here is some of what they shared: - The YIS asked youth if they had ever experienced homelessness. Up from 8% in 2021, 13% had experienced either visible homelessness (living in a shelter, on the street, or in an abandoned building) or hidden (i.e. temporarily living with relatives or friends, in a car, or anywhere else because you had nowhere else to live). -  Sense of belonging was 18% lower for those who have had experiences of homelessness, whether visible or hidden. - The number of young people who at least sometimes go to school or bed hungry has increased from 5% in 2021 to 15% in 2023. Those with homeless experiences were 22% more likely to experience food insecurity. See the snapshot below or follow the link in the comments to read the Deep Dive.

Family violence remains a leading cause of homelessness, especially for women and children fleeing unsafe environments. In the Goulburn and Ovens Murray regions for 2023-2024, 348 women reported family violence, while 116 cited family breakdown as their main reason for seeking Beyond Housing services, accounting for 32% of all women seeking help. "Other" reasons for accessing services often include complex issues like non-domestic partner violence, sudden unemployment, or chronic health problems, highlighting the multifaceted nature of homelessness. "These ‘other’ reasons highlight the complexity and intersectionality of issues leading to homelessness among women,” said Acting CEO Penny Hargrave. Beyond Housing collaborates with The Orange Door, the Centre Against Violence, VincentCare, and NEXUS to offer comprehensive support to victim-survivors. They provide crisis and emergency housing and manage purpose-built properties for women and children escaping violence, focusing on addressing their broader needs. Read more about our efforts and Tamara's story here 👉 https://lnkd.in/gTaf3Ryg

Cloudburst’s Suzanne Marcus, Gender-Based Violence and Housing Specialist, and Ashley M., Technical Assistance Provider, joined forces this week to stand in solidarity with Health Care for the Homeless, National Health Care for the Homeless Council, National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), National Coalition for the Homeless, National Alliance to End Homelessness, and others while the Supreme Court heard opening arguments in Johnson v. Grants Pass—a case that could allow cities to criminalize unhoused people for sleeping on the streets. Homelessness has been on the rise since 2017, experiencing an overall increase of six percent. Unsheltered homelessness is also trending upwards impacting most racial, ethnic, and gender subgroups.* Resources: To learn more about Cloudburst’s work to eliminate homelessness: https://lnkd.in/gzyuXqfi To learn more about Johnson v. Grants Pass: https://lnkd.in/e3U-MmiK Sources *National Alliance to End Homelessness: https://lnkd.in/gEsHJYez

This week we were proud to be part of the launch of the ‘Inside the Front Door’ report. This report covers a seven-year longitudinal study conducted by RMIT University and Lead Researcher, Honorary Professor Guy Johnson, of six high volume homelessness services in Melbourne. Our Preston intake service played a key role in both the formation of the report concept as well as providing details and data to help bring it to life alongside: 💙 Unison 💙 VincentCare Victoria 💙 wayss: Homelessness & Family Violence in Melbourne, Victoria 💙 The Salvation Army Australia 💙 Launch Housing The data is shocking but not surprising. It shows the industry struggling under the weight of increased demand and client complexities; decreased access to housing, accommodation, services and supports for clients; as well as stagnant budgets. This data will be instrumental for advocacy bodies and organisations to highlight the urgency and need for drastic action from policy makers and funding bodies. ‘Inside the Front Door’ also highlights the impact and strength that homelessness services have when they work in collaboration and how this approach can pave the way for a new way of working together and stronger advocacy. Read the report here.  https://lnkd.in/gNhvsAhU

A new report from the Washington State Department of Commerce's Office of Homeless Youth and A Way Home WA shows that Washington's focused, multi-sector effort to address youth and young adult homelessness is working. A few highlights among the many findings: - 40 percent reduction in the number of youth and young adults experiencing homelessness in Washington state between 2016 and 2022. - 75 percent of youth and young adults permanently housed in 2020 retained stable housing two years later. - 15,338 unaccompanied YYA accessed the homelessness system in 2022. The report, which pairs comprehensive data analysis with perspectives from young people with lived experience, service providers, and other stakeholders, presents a roadmap for Washington where unstably housed young people can receive the help they need promptly within their community. As the youth voices highlighted in the report emphasize, there is so much more work to be done. But these findings show that even when faced with a problem as complex and dynamic as youth and young adult homelessness, progress is possible.

To comprehensively address youth homelessness, several key policy recommendations should be prioritized. Firstly, investing in prevention programs targeting at-risk youth and families can help mitigate the root causes of homelessness. Secondly, adopting a Housing First approach, which emphasizes immediate access to permanent housing with support services, is crucial. Additionally, increasing funding for affordable housing initiatives and transitional options is essential to provide stable housing solutions. Moreover, tailored education and employment support services should be provided to empower homeless youth with the skills and resources needed for self-sufficiency. Ensuring access to comprehensive healthcare services, including mental health treatment, is also imperative. Developing specialized support services such as drop-in centers and peer mentoring programs can provide targeted assistance to homeless youth. Collaboration between agencies, nonprofits, and youth with lived experience is key to effectively addressing the issue. Finally, improving data collection and evaluation efforts will help track progress and inform future policy decisions. By implementing these measures, systemic change can be achieved, offering vulnerable youth the support and opportunities necessary for a brighter future. #youth #homelessness #support #services #programs #prevention

✅ share if you agree✅ I sent this to the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce this morning, July 19, 2024, after listening to the "Eggs and Issues" panel discussion regarding the Day Resource Center proposal that is seeking to put a day-shelter in the downtown Downtown Eau Claire area. Price tag approximately $4 to $6 million dollars. Message below: Hi. I'm sending this message to respond to the panel discussion that took place at the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce Eggs and Issues series today, July 19, 2024. First, I would like to say thank you for hosting a discussion concerning the issue of homelessness and insecure housing in Eau Claire. What I like about you using your platform for this issue is that it reaches into the business community, which is the precise group who can have incredible influence and effectiveness solving the challenges underlying homelessness. I would like to propose an opportunity for the Chamber to facilitate this conversation more effectively. There are many different entities who receive public and private funding to address mental health, substance use, and developmental disabilities, all three being the primary drivers of chronic marginalization of community members, including those who are homeless. Rather than inviting panels that are comprised of individuals who are pitching a single idea that often seems much more viable than it would if there were opposing viewpoints to challenge the substance of those ideas, invite a panel of individuals with opposing viewpoints who have proven expertise in the matter to have a public debate. Let the community determine the ideas it wants to adopt and support. I believe this is a much more democratic way of proceeding when the proposed solutions for the city's homelessness challenges are going to be largely publicly funded. I will volunteer to take part in this panel. I am anxiously seeking the opportunity to measure my opinions, theories, and supported professional outcomes against those of other organizations. It would be an honor to do it in a public forum. I am also anxious to begin good faith collaboration with other organizations and I believe opening up channels of communication in a format such as this will have a grounding effect on many of us who remain so busy that we often are unable to stop and be mindful of the possibility that other's approaches may be valid. I appreciate you considering my proposal.

DYK❓ Not all organizations, communities, and public agencies use the same definition of #youthhomelessness. Differing definitions of youth homelessness have direct implications for youth homelessness counts, eligibility criteria for youth seeking services, capacity of providers to respond, and public understanding around the magnitude of the problem. Learn more in a new report out from Community Solutions, Inc. to explore effective ways to reduce youth homelessness. https://lnkd.in/gmq3qA7X

The Office of Homeless Youth and A Way Home WA have released a new report that takes a deep-dive into unaccompanied youth and young adult homelessness. The report pairs data analysis with perspectives from over 100 young people who’ve experienced homelessness, service providers and other stakeholders from across the state. It presents a roadmap and vision for young people without stable housing to receive the help they need within their community. While the work is far from complete, the report’s findings show that even when faced with a problem as complex and dynamic as youth homelessness, progress can be made with focused funding, attention, and public-private partnerships that provide capacity for innovation. Read the full report: https://bit.ly/48GWuAN Learn more: https://bit.ly/3Tfvzb1 Artist credit: Cristina “Pink” Varela