Rachel L. Castillo’s Post

Thank you, Dr. Dashamelle Bowie Russ, for sharing Forrest Stuart's study, "Down, Out, and Under Arrest." As Chief Investment Officer, I am deeply committed to our mission of transforming communities in L.A. County. Our investment approach goes beyond funding developers and building affordable housing. We create ecosystems that foster hope, dignity, and opportunities for those experiencing homelessness. Stuart's study explores the impact of Skid Row's policing on its residents and underscores the need for systemic change in addressing urban poverty and homelessness. Our organization aims to address the root causes perpetuating the cycles of poverty and policing by integrating supportive services, healthcare, education, and workforce development. By working closely with community-based organizations and elected officials, we ensure our projects are tailored to address housing needs and enrich the community's social fabric. Impact investments in real estate should consider societal well-being alongside the financial returns and environmental impact we are having. We are committed to answering the call to action highlighted in Stuart's study and using our resources to create ethical investment strategies that contribute to social justice and equity. Together, we can make a better future for those most impacted by the challenges of urban poverty and homelessness. #AffordableHousing #SocialImpact #EthicalInvesting #CommunityBuilding

Tell Congress we need affordable housing today and in the future. Recently, our current Executive Branch urged Congress to pass legislation so that all Americans can live in a safe, affordable home. Whether renting or owning, living in a home you can afford and in a neighborhood with opportunities is the foundation for our lives, our children's lives, and the lives of future generations. Our youth are our future, and at Covenant House Florida, we are committed to working toward ending youth homelessness. By providing young people with relentless support, absolute respect, and unconditional love in a safe and nurturing environment, they have the opportunity to thrive and support others. This is the foundation for our communities to flourish and grow. Our youth are also some of the most vulnerable members of our communities and we must not sit back and let affordable housing go further beyond their reach. We need our federal legislators to work together to address the increase in homelessness as living costs continue to climb. Now, we need Congress to see this through by passing urgent affordable housing legislation. How can you help? Simply CLICK BELOW to add your name to our list of supporters. We’re hoping to get every member of our community to sign so we can show members of Congress how critical this issue is to Americans. https://lnkd.in/gdD_dJHM Through the strength of our community, we can make our collective voice heard — and make housing more accessible for all. #housing #affordablehousing #Congress #legislation #petition #useyourvoice #relentlesssupport #absoluterespect #unconditionallove #endyouthhomelessness

In ongoing and evolving dialogues with HUD Technical Assistants, I’m seeing a common theme, the need to innovate our approach to homelessness. This theme is leaning heavily toward implementing a new system centered on housing problem-solving vs coordinated entry, a significant pivot from traditional models. This shift, underpinned by evidence favoring housing-first and proactive problem-solving, tackles homelessness at its core by addressing the critical need for stable, secure housing and necessary services to support that housing. Adopting Housing Problem Solving (HPS) as a primary strategy is not merely effective; it’s a necessary evolution to fundamentally transform the community’s support for the most vulnerable. #HousingProblemSolving

Two years ago, I met Ludia, who had been living in and out of shelters with her grandsons for months, unable to find an apartment where her housing voucher could be accepted. Recent research shows that nearly half of California’s homeless population is over 50 years old, and metro-specific homelessness rates are driven overwhelmingly by the scarcity of affordable housing supply. As I've urged in my online book, Congress must streamline tax credit financing of housing, and eliminate current statutory barriers to using federal vouchers in more innovative, less costly housing projects, such as the prefabricated, quick-build projects we see in Mountain View, Redwood City, and San Jose. Local communities need a more nimble federal partner to help older Americans, like Ludia, age in dignity. samliccardo.com/plan/

We encourage you to attend today’s County Council’s Affordable Housing Ad Hoc Committee at 5 PM at the Committee Meeting Room located at 301 University Ridge. You can also watch over the livestream from the agenda: https://lnkd.in/e2MS8D4a. Our partners LiveWell Greenville, Unity Health on Main, Greenville County Schools, and Loaves & Fishes Greenville are presenting. Thank you to Greenville County Council Chairman Dr. Ennis Fant, Sr. for your leadership of this committee. As a collective voice for people experiencing homelessness and those working to eliminate homelessness, we are fiercely committed to addressing policies and system-level change that align with our mission. Our vision is that our community will work together in Greenville County, ensuring safe, affordable housing for all with access to everything needed for a healthy and fulfilling life. As noted by Matthew Desmond, author of “Evicted” and “Poverty by America” when housing that is safe, and affordable is not accessible the rent eats first. He says, “By and large, the poor do not want a small life. They don’t want to game the system or eke out an existence; they want to thrive and contribute. Our cities have become unaffordable to our poorest families, and this problem is leaving a deep and jagged scar on our next generation.” #gvlhomes4all #greenvillesc #collectiveimpact #housingishealthcare #foodsecurity

At Habitat for Humanity, our mission is to bring people together to build homes, communities, and hope. Today’s ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court on #JohnsonVGrantsPass – which aims to punish homeless residents for sleeping outside, even when they have no place to go – is counterintuitive to building community and hope. Jailing and fining human beings who are sleeping outside only makes homelessness worse. We hope that regardless of this ruling, communities in Oregon and beyond will take a more empathetic approach to working with community members without shelter. At the top of our minds is addressing the dire lack of affordable housing. We live in a time when many Americans struggle to afford housing – and the issue is especially acute in Oregon, where there is an extreme shortage of housing units. Affordable housing helps create the conditions that free families and individuals from stress and fear, helping build stability and confidence. We are motivated by today's ruling to lean into providing more affordable homes in communities across the state — through direct homebuilding and collective advocacy. Everybody deserves a decent place to live. We invite you to join us in taking meaningful, constructive actions — driven by empathy.

Our Executive Director, Michele Conderino, had the wonderful opportunity to deliver a speech at the NAEH Conference in San Francisco, California this week. The conference was a great platform, where several insightful speakers shared their ideas and strategies to tackle homelessness. One of the most enlightening discussions held at the conference was on "5 things to solve homelessness", led by Tomiquia Moss, Secretary of California's Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency. These five things provide a constructive and achievable roadmap to address homelessness: 1. Fostering the belief that solving homelessness is possible by listening to experts and investing in proven solutions. 2. Increasing the availability of affordable housing. 3. Recognizing housing justice as a critical component of racial justice. 4. Making simultaneous investments in Prevention, Interim Housing, and Permanent Housing to achieve positive outcomes. 5. Building political will and public courage to address homelessness. By implementing these 5 strategies, we can work towards a society where everyone has access to safe and affordable housing. #NAEH2024

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The creation and preservation of #affordablehousing have never been more crucial🏠 Beyond the immediate and humane objective of preventing homelessness, affordable housing serves as a powerful stimulant to our economy.  When individuals are freed from the burden of exorbitant rent, they can channel their time and resources into local businesses, fostering economic growth and community resilience. Affordable housing provides a foundation that allows citizens to thrive, contributing to a more stable and prosperous society for all.  By prioritizing affordable housing, we not only safeguard the well-being of countless families but also invigorate our local economies, creating a robust and sustainable future🙌 #homelessnessawareness #homelessoutreach #homelessawareness

P.S.A - We don't just design fabulous homes for our clients, although we're pretty good at it 😉 #HumbleBrag Our work is rooted in inspiring HOPE in our client's lives. Here's what that looks like: 👉 1. Setting The Stage We not only give our clients a fresh start with their home transformation but inspire greater hope in their lives. These transformations act as a catalyst to help our clients achieve their dreams with a solid foundation - a house turned into a home! 👉 2. Ending Homelessness We seek to disrupt the cycle of homelessness, and we do! Less than 1% of those affected by homelessness return to it after working with Humble Design Detroit. 👉 3. Uplifting & Rebuilding Community Through changing individual lives, we seek to rebuild the greater community of Detroit. So far, we've helped 10,000 individuals and we don't plan on stopping! Get involved with our mission, and help us INSPIRE HOPE by transforming houses into HOMES. 🧡 Learn more on our website! #humbledesign #welcomehome #inspirehope #communitybuilding #endhomelessness #michigancharity #detroitcharity