Joshua Raines MSW, LISW’s Post

Last Friday the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Grants Pass. This devastating decision allows cities to have the ability to punish individuals who have no choice but to sleep outside. It punishes individuals for using everyday items like blankets and cardboard boxes to protect themselves from the weather. What options are we leaving for those without homes, without safe places to go? The rule punishes people in the most difficult of situations who are trying to make it to the next day. See our full statement by our Equal Justice Works Housing Fellows Emily Blackshire Giel and Dontae James: “We share the disappointment of many of our national partners regarding Friday’s Supreme Court decision in Grants Pass v. Johnson. The decision to allow municipalities to make homelessness a crime - regardless of whether safe shelter beds are available - will only worsen South Carolina’s homelessness crisis. We cannot incarcerate our way out of homelessness. More than ever, advocacy is needed to not only fund and develop more affordable housing and voluntary support services to meet the entire needs of the community, but also to combat the criminalization of poverty in our communities. Despite the ruling, cities have the power to NOT make the decision to penalize poverty, but rather work with the local community to find and implement true working solutions.” To learn more, visit our recent blog about the impact on criminalizing homelessness to see the impact that it has on our community's most vulnerable members: https://lnkd.in/esCvkN7b

An invest-to-save mindset is needed to solve the homelessness crisis. Our executive director of care & support John Glenton has written for Room151 about what central and local government must do to tackle the housing and homelessness crisis. "It is important for central government to understand that under resourced councils closing homelessness services to balance their annual budget is a false economy." "We will ultimately only escape the growing homelessness crisis if we build more social housing." "Spending in the short to medium term will provide a brighter future for people in the long term and save taxpayers money." https://lnkd.in/gVgYD9fi

National Homelessness Week 🏠 This week is National Homelessness Week, a time to raise awareness and show support for those experiencing homelessness and housing stress. The housing crisis is affecting more and more people, leaving many struggling to find affordable and secure housing. At Community Plus we believe in coming together to advocate for change and support initiatives that make a difference. 💔 Homelessness Services are Overwhelmed: · In 2022-23, 273,600 people were assisted by homelessness services · In 2022-23, a further 108,000 people sought help but were unable to be assisted because of shortages of staff, or accommodation or other services (AIHW 2023). · That’s 295 people a day turned away because services are overstretched. · 80% of those being turned away were women and children, many of whom are fleeing domestic and family violence. Affordable housing is essential for everyone. Investing in public and community housing can help provide stability and security for those in need. Join us in supporting a #FairHousingFuture and stand with Community Plus this National Homelessness Week #NationalHomelessnessWeek #SupportOurCommunity #EndHousingStress #FairHousingFuture https://lnkd.in/eG2nfENd

The chancellor of the exchequer announces £230 million to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping. Alexia Murphy, CEO at Depaul UK, welcomed the news but says more can be done: Alexia Murphy, CEO at Depaul UK said: “The commitments to real terms increases next year to homelessness and rough sleeping funding are encouraging, as are announcements around local authority funding and social housing. Reductions to the amount of Universal Credit taken to pay off debts will also help many young people who use Depaul’s homelessness services” “Much more, however, needs to be done to try tackle the homelessness crisis. The 2025 Spring Spending review should include multi-year funding commitments to fill the local authority funding black hole, as well as to deliver safe, affordable homes for people who are sleeping rough. These longer-term measures and many more will be needed to meet the government’s strategic commitment get back on track to ending homelessness." #Budget2024

TAKE ACTION: Tell state lawmakers to provide gap funding for homeless services From the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance State lawmakers took action last year to address a shortfall in the document recording fees that fund homelessness services across the state. The money the state collects from fees is still falling behind projections, and it is also more expensive to keep programs running. Almost $70 million dollars is needed in the supplemental budget to prevent a loss of services across the state. If the state doesn’t provide this funding, programs will close, reduce hours, and help fewer people. Too many people are living - and dying - on the streets, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Maintaining current investments in homelessness services must be a top priority for the supplemental budget! https://lnkd.in/gHgwrD5M

Exciting news! We’re featured in the Los Angeles Times discussing our recent poll results. Most Angelenos are on board with a newly proposed ballot measure to transform housing in Los Angeles and provide much-needed services to our most vulnerable neighbors. If approved by voters, the initiative would “fund homelessness programs, including mental health care, substance abuse treatment, affordable housing, rental subsidies, job counseling and services for vulnerable populations including homeless families, veterans, abused women, seniors, and disabled persons.” As reported by Doug Smith, “The measure, dubbed Affordable Housing, Homelessness Solutions and Prevention Now, would require programs to set and meet specific targets and mandate regular audits to ensure those showing the highest rates of effectiveness receive sufficient funds.” Our polling showed that voters recognize the urgency of the homelessness and housing affordability crisis. Angelenos are ready for bold action! Read the full article here: https://shorturl.at/cqwHS *The proposed ballot measure is gathering signatures now to qualify for the November 2024 ballot. The deadline to submit signatures is in May. For more information, please visit www.affordablelacounty.com.

Homelessness is a growing issue that is becoming more and more prevalent in our society. It is a heartbreaking reality that we cannot ignore, as we see individuals who are homeless on our streets, begging for money or trying to sell something in order to survive. They are faced with many challenges, including limited access to basic necessities such as clean water and shelter, which makes it difficult for them to maintain proper hygiene. Some may even resort to desperate measures like stealing to obtain their substance of choice. Despite all of these hardships, they try their best to maintain some sense of balance in their environment. However, without proper education and support, it becomes even harder for them to break free from the cycle of poverty and homelessness. This can have a devastating impact on not only their own lives but also the lives of their children who may be raised in these harsh conditions. It is important for society to address this issue and provide resources and support for those who are experiencing homelessness, as it not only affects the individuals but also has a ripple effect on society as a whole. The longer we ignore this issue, the more difficult it becomes to break the cycle and provide opportunities for those who are struggling to find stability and security in their lives. #individuality

I really like the interactive Solutions Dashboard that shows see the necessary mix of prevention, interim housing, and permanent housing it will take, and the associated costs, to reduce unsheltered homelessness by 25%, 50%, or 75%.

Did you know that nearly 1 in 5 unhoused people in the U.S. are 55 and over? Or that homelessness among older adults is expected to nearly triple by 2030? Part of the reason is a complete lack of affordable housing options, and another big player is the cost of healthcare eating up peoples' savings after an emergency. We don't think it should have to be this way. Homelessness and housing resources, such as emergency shelters, temporary housing, and permanent housing, are often not prepared to meet the complex physical health, social, and psychological needs of older adults. Research shows that supporting local organizations (like us!) is the true driver of change in homelessness among older adults. We already built one subsidized apartment building, have another on the way, and provide assisted living care to seniors living in three additional subsidized buildings. We're doing our part to combat this crisis across Bergen County, and we need your help to continue. Visit https://lnkd.in/eVpX3X48 to be part of the change. 💙