John Lefkus III’s Post

Lessons here for New Zealand. While new supply is a factor, we can not build ourselves out of our housing crisis. We need more affordable tenures and long term interventions at all levels of the housing continuum, as well as pathways from housing dependence to housing independence. New Zealand’s Community Housing Providers (CHPs) are best place to provide these. Give CHPs just a single years worth of NZ Government housing subsidies ($5b) and just watch what they can accomplish.

Even alleged good news from Mayor Bass is still Basslighting in my opinion. The idea is to not have to brag homelessness is down, nor have it reported as being up, for one simple reason, either topic ENCOURAGES PEOPLE to come to Los Angeles. If Homelessness is up, people still come here knowing they will find others who are homeless to bond with. If Homelessness is down, then that encourages others to come to Los Angeles so they can eventually receive entitlements for no other reason than arriving, and remaining homeless until they get their place to live. While all this Basslighting is going on, those who are barely hanging on, the actual taxpayers, are subjected to higher and higher taxes to pay for it all. The new Los Angeles General plan intends to turn suburban Los Angeles into an extension of city life, replete with much taller building allowances, less and less open space, and the lure of everyone building Accessory Dwelling Units to battle the higher and higher taxes imposed by Los Angeles. Basslighting is the galvanizing of the homeless issue so that Political cronies can all be paid six figure incomes to twirl pencils and contemplate how to cram more and more people into less and less space. The final irony is, this used to be a plank of the Republican Party, so, we the people are truly screwed by both Political Parties. https://lnkd.in/gJgSuiKT

A very important read about the false promises of laws that would criminalize homelessness. In practice, these laws aren't reducing homelessness at all. In fact, they're creating chaos and making the work to rehouse people even harder. The reason is simple: because they are written by people who don't understand the issue at all, but do understand the political advantages of demonizing vulnerable populations. https://lnkd.in/ea2UCe2V

"Time and again, we see resources poured into enforcement tactics — clearing encampments, criminalizing those forced to live in their vehicles — without offering viable alternatives. Where’s the long-term plan? This approach merely shifts the problem from one neighborhood to another while further traumatizing the very people we claim to want to help." Study after study shows that high housing costs are the root cause of our homelessness crisis, and we cannot and will not meaningfully reduce homelessness if we don’t continue expanding affordable housing options in our community. In recognizing the importance of interim shelter, we must remember that the measure of our success is the number of people who can achieve permanent housing stability. The only true solution to homelessness is permanent housing. Read the full article by Thomas Knight from the Lived Experience Advisory Board of Silicon Valley: https://lnkd.in/ggKXC98v #svathome #affordablehousing #homelessness #sanjose #measureE #endhomelessness #housing

If you hear about the increasing efforts to criminalize homelessness and deprioritize permanent housing, it’s important to consider the detrimental impacts first and figure out exactly who is delivering the harmful message.

Here's how the homelessness cycle works: Can't pay sky high rent, forced to camp in a park. Get tons of fines and tickets, which you can't pay. Credit gets destroyed, so you can't get into housing (which solves homelessness). Cities and towns want the legal right to fine people for having pillows and blankets while trying to survive outside. The case Johnson vs Grants Pass will decide if cities can. https://lnkd.in/eunfNesp Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e3U-MmiK

🚨 A small Oregon town’s homeless crisis is front and center in a landmark Supreme Court case. The ruling, set for April 22, could reshape how cities across the U.S. handle homelessness. This isn’t just a legal debate—it’s about protecting the constitutional rights of those without shelter. Pathways to Housing PA and 36 other organizations have signed onto an amicus brief filed by CSH, the Source for Housing Solutions, supporting the Ninth Circuit's decision to uphold the U.S. Constitution by prohibiting communities from fining or arresting people for merely sleeping outside when they have no access to shelter. The decision will have ripple effects nationwide, impacting thousands who struggle with homelessness. Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/eunfNesp

Our statement regarding Governor Gavin Newsom’s executive order: The Lucky Duck Foundation believes no one should live on the streets – it is not safe or humane for anyone.   Although the Supreme Court’s ruling and now Governor Newsom’s position on encampments can be perceived as punitive, we see it as a way to move government towards adding more shelters and other immediately available beds to reduce homelessness and help our neighbors in need move off the streets quickly and safely.    To be clear, we do not in any way shape or form endorse the “criminalization of homelessness.” Rather, we fully support government’s ability to connect our homeless neighbors to lifesaving resources off the streets to reduce unsheltered homelessness and protect public health and public safety.    The governor’s strategy until now has largely focused on adding and acquiring housing, which is very costly and time consuming. And, California has seen some of the largest increases in homelessness in the country over the last five years. As such, it is critical the Governor’s decision to clear encampments be coupled with a shift in strategy and resources to quickly activate a significant number of shelter beds so that people can move inside and connect to lifesaving resources. Otherwise, it will simply result in moving people around without providing an immediate pathway off the streets.

This week, the Supreme Court will hear the biggest case on homelessness in decades. Here's our take: The Grants Pass v. Johnson Supreme Court case brings a vital issue into focus — the treatment of homeless individuals. At DignityMoves, our mission is clear: to champion dignity and advocate for effective solutions to end unsheltered homelessness. We believe criminalizing homelessness is counterproductive - but we do need better options. Strategies like Interim Supportive Housing (ISH) go beyond providing a bed; they encompass comprehensive support services and embody our dedication to dignity, respect, and empowering individuals toward stable living. Notably, ISH offers fast and affordable construction. Research indicates that investing in housing is more cost-effective than enforcing anti-homeless laws and hopefully steering governments towards more compassionate and productive approaches. Amidst these discussions, let's prioritize empathy and practical strategies to help our unhoused neighbors off the streets and toward a path out of homelessness. https://lnkd.in/evdMndVJ

‘The lack of accessible and affordable housing is the main driver of the nation’s homelessness crisis,’ said St Vincent de Paul Society National President Mark Gaetani. Homelessness Week 2024 starts Monday 5 August, and the Society is stressing that housing solutions must be linked to the call for “Homelessness Action Now”.   🏡 St Vincent de Paul Society is always there to provide support where we can, but structural solutions are vital and that’s why the provision of more social and community housing is essential. The housing market has a supply issue which means that rents continue to skyrocket, and availability has tumbled, with zero vacancies in some areas.   🏡 It takes time to build, especially after years of neglect by governments at all levels. Even with a commendable target of 1.2 million homes by 2028-29, a shortfall of 257,000 is projected. Meanwhile, the large stock of vacant existing housing should be brought back into the market. 🏡 This is why we are calling on all governments to incentivise the use of residential property and land that has been left vacant, long-term through taxation reform. Please join our call by sharing this post on your social media account. Thank you!  #NationalHomelessnessWeek2024