Keys to Change’s Post

⚖ The Supreme Court is about to rule in the case of the City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson, the first major case on homelessness to be heard by the Supreme Court since the 1980s. The case will determine the constitutionality of ticketing, fining, or arresting people for sleeping outdoors on public property, even if leaders have failed to produce enough affordable housing or shelter for everyone in the community who needs it. But let’s be real: even a favorable ruling will not bring us any closer to ending homelessness in this country. It will, however, make clear the responsibility of elected officials at the federal, state, and local levels to produce sufficient permanent housing solutions and shelter accommodations for every person in their communities who needs them. For that, we need significant investments in evidence-based solutions to homelessness – like low barrier shelter; affordable housing; and services at the federal, state, and local levels. Before a decision comes out, read the latest from my colleague Marcy Thompson for the National Alliance to End Homelessness. #endhomelessness #housingfirst #scotus https://lnkd.in/ew6-VvnX

🔑 As #SCOTUS prepares to rule on #JohnsonVGrantsPass, it’s crucial to remember that criminalizing homelessness is not a solution. In her Salon op-ed, Rachelle A. Matthews, Policy and Advocacy Operations Manager at Community Solutions, highlights the need for comprehensive, data-driven approaches and affordable housing to address the root causes of homelessness. Cities have shown that investing in housing-first programs can lead to significant reductions in homelessness. It’s time for all cities to adopt these proven strategies.#HomelessnessIsSolvable https://bit.ly/4aZJuYj

🎥 Hey LinkedIn community, today I want to shed light on a pressing issue that goes beyond punishment – homelessness. As Jesse Rabinowitz from the National Homelessness Law Center rightly puts it, "Homelessness is growing not because cities lack ways to punish people for being poor, but because a growing number of hard-working Americans are struggling to pay rent and make ends meet." I delve into a crucial case, Johnson v. Grants Pass, which questions the legality of punishing homeless individuals for sleeping outside when adequate shelter space is insufficient. Contrary to the belief that arresting or ticketing is a solution, Jesse emphasizes that addressing homelessness requires evidence-based approaches, like housing for all. Let's pause and reflect: How can humanity consider punishing someone life has already dealt a difficult hand to? In our pursuit of solutions, we must not forget the systemic causes of homelessness. People don't choose the streets; circumstances force them there. Join me in this exploration of compassion and understanding. Let's challenge preconceptions, advocate for humane solutions, and work towards a society where everyone has a chance for shelter and a better life. 💙🏠 #EndHomelessness #HumanityOverPunishment #CommunityCare #invisiblesnomore

The National Coalition on Housing Justice (NCHJ) has issued a statement on the USICH Encampment Guidance. Overall, the statement both acknowledges the affirming strategies outlined by USICH (US Interagency Council on Homelessness) to address encampments as well as those that can be interpreted by localities to continue and pursue harm and criminalization against an already-marginalized community (including youth). We are deeply saddened by the latter, but understand that this means that we simply have a great deal of worthwhile work ahead of us as those who work to end and prevent homelessness. To read the entire statement by either NCHJ or USICH visit the links below or check our bio for links. NCHJ Statement:  https://lnkd.in/e7N_84JR USICH Guidance: https://lnkd.in/enyvSu_m #endyouthhomelessness #sotm #homeless #homelessyouth #housingisahumanright Funders Together to End Homelessness

🚨 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

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

“These meetings have underscored people’s preference for housing and non-congregate shelter over congregate shelter, as well as the importance of giving people a choice about where they live. Like many cities, Denver has a shortage of affordable housing, so it is critical to have shelter where people want to stay while they await permanent housing. Most people prefer the privacy, stability, and safety of individual, non-congregate units. For this reason, the city does not track congregate shelter availability as part of our “All In Mile High” effort, and instead, we focus on offering and expanding non-congregate shelter and housing. To do this, we have identified a variety of buildings and units that can be acquired quickly and affordably—hotels, tiny homes, and leased apartment units.”

I'm paying close attention to this. Criminalizing things poor people have to do does nothing but compound the problem. The resources of religious organizations, social services, government, and law enforcement end up being focused on cleaning up the mess left behind by bad policies and laws. These policies are quick fix attempts to punish victims of systems for political expediency and they have caused such significant damage to our social infrastructures that we no longer can support the programs that would prevent people from getting stuck in these cycles in the first place. The screaming demands of the life and death situations these policies create drown out the capacity of nonprofits to whisper well-placed words of redirection and transformative support.

PLEASE SHARE! We at SOS Richmond are stunned by Governor Gavin Newsom's order calling for the removal of homeless encampments across California. While encampments may be moved, human beings cannot be removed from our cities and towns. By criminalizing our most vulnerable neighbors, the governor is pursuing a misguided and cruel policy. Forcing the unhoused community out of encampments does not address the root causes of homelessness; it further marginalizes vulnerable individuals, pushing them into more dangerous and unstable situations by uprooting their tenuous stability and their connection with supportive organizations like SOS. The most effective way to respond to homelessness is through comprehensive, caring support that includes unhoused and recently housed neighbors through peer-to-peer support. This helps people on their journey from tent to home. Sweeping away encampments without providing community and essential services fails to offer a real solution and merely shifts the problem to the next encampment location. The order does not consider the voices and experiences of those who are directly affected and are most able to support their peers. Our unhoused neighbors have valuable insights and the interpersonal relationships to best address people’s needs. Any policy aimed at resolving homelessness must include their input and prioritize their dignity and humanity. We urge Governor Newsom and state officials to reconsider this order and focus on long-term, compassionate solutions. By investing in affordable housing and robust social services we create a more just and equitable society where everyone has the opportunity to survive and thrive. SOS Richmond remains committed to working with our community – housed and unhoused – to find sustainable and humane solutions to homelessness that scale to address this crisis. We stand in solidarity with our unhoused neighbors and advocate for their rights and well-being. Photo: Staff member Leyla connecting with an unhoused neighbor through street-level outreach. Photo credit: Maurice Tierney #bayarea #cahousingcrisis #housing #GavinNewsom #eastbay #contraconstacounty #fightforthebay #housingjustice

The #homelessness policy developments in the US are truly harrowing. The recent The Brookings Institution review by Hanna Love and Thea Sebastian shows how local municipalities, state jurisdictions, and now the recent Grants Pass Supreme Court decision are criminalising rough-sleeping homelessness. They even report that in Kentucky, state legislation prohibits "the use of state funds to provide permanent housing without preconditions (essentially blocking the implementation of the evidence-based “housing first” model)". And great overview of what should be the appropriate response to homelessness which has strong resonance with what we have argued is required to end homelessness (https://lnkd.in/gdH38xDs). And lets not forget the fundamental key to ending homelessness which is you must focus more than anything on the underlying systems drivers of homelessness.