UCSF Benioff Homelessness & Housing Initiative’s Post

We know what works to prevent and end homelessness. Spoiler alert: it is not to criminalize and arrest people for sleeping, resting, eating or living on the street when they have nowhere else to go. Effective strategies are to prevent homelessness by proving shallow rent subsidies, provide interim and permanent housing with needed supports, and to greatly increase the supply of affordable and accessible housing.

The 2024 Point-in-Time (PIT) count, starting this week, is the official snapshot of homelessness on a single night. Conducted by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), it informs resource allocation but has limitations, only capturing visible homelessness on a single day in January and excluding doubled-up individuals. In 2021, according to the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, an estimated 68,440 people experienced homelessness, with the PIT count reporting only a fraction.   Most Chicagoans experiencing homelessness temporarily stay with others at some point throughout the year. Of the 68,440 people experiencing homelessness in 2021, 64.9% were temporarily staying with others. For every 1 person reported as homeless in the city Point-in-Time count, 9 more people accessed city homeless services last year. Visit Chicago Coalition for the Homeless to learn more: https://shorturl.at/stI37

The 2024 GREATER LOS ANGELES HOMELESS COUNT results are in, revealing both progress and ongoing challenges. Los Angeles County and City saw a 0.27% and 2.2% respective decrease in homelessness this past year. These numbers highlight a significant shift: unsheltered homelessness in the County decreased by 5.1% and 10.4% in the City. At the same time, sheltered homelessness increased by 12.7% in the County and 17.7% in the City. While these trends are encouraging, we must remain focused on finding and implementing viable solutions to this ongoing crisis. The critical need for more affordable housing in LA remains. Collaborative efforts between the private, public, and nonprofit sectors are essential to ensuring everyone has a place to call “home.” See the full LAHSA report here: https://lnkd.in/gtKsfenh *Photo and data source: 2024 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority #SDSCapitalGroup #ImpactFundInvesting #RealEstate #SocialImpact #PermanentSupportiveHousing #PSH #PrivateInvestments #HomelessCrisis #LAHomelessCrisis #Over20YearsOfImpact 

"Overall, the 2024 Point-in-Time Count found no less than 10,605 people experiencing homelessness across our region. This includes 6,110 unsheltered San Diegans and 4,495 individuals in shelters and transitional housing. This is a 3% increase from the 2023 Point-in-Time Count. In 2023, homelessness across the region was up about 20 percent from the prior year. The 2024 count shows homelessness is a regional issue, with roughly 200 additional people experiencing homelessness in each region of San Diego County." #homelessnesssolutions Regional Task Force on Homelessness

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 can be perceived as punitive for people living on the streets, we see it as a way to move the 18 cities throughout San Diego County towards adding more shelters and other immediately available beds to reduce homelessness and help our neighbors in need. To be clear, we do not in any way shape or form endorse the “criminalization of homelessness.” Rather, we fully support cities' ability to connect our homeless neighbors to lifesaving resources off the streets to reduce unsheltered homelessness and protect public health and public safety, and importantly, cities must add more immediately available beds and resources. Additionally, homeless deaths have reached an all-time high and deaths among the homeless population are increasing far more quickly than homelessness itself. Finally, homelessness is a problem for our region, not just one city. And it will take collaboration by all 18 cities throughout San Diego County, plus the County of San Diego, to adequately address the issue. All ideas are welcome and all collaborative minds with a bias for action are needed. The Lucky Duck Foundation is more committed than ever to deploying its resources to accelerate the actions of elected officials to reduce homelessness.

In recent years, homelessness in New York City has reached the highest level since the Great Depression of the 1930s. In April 2024, 131,940 people slept each night in NYC shelters. Thousands more (there is no reliable number, as the annual HOPE estimate is deeply flawed) slept unsheltered in public spaces, and more than 200,000 people slept temporarily doubled-up in the homes of others. Thus, it can be estimated that more than 350,000 people were without homes in NYC in April 2024. . . . Help us continue our important work! We can end homelessness together, forever. Housing is a fundamental human right. No one should have to worry about where they are going to sleep tonight. 📃 Source:Basic Facts About Homelessness: New York City; Coalition for the Homeless, Inc. #endhomelessness #endthestigma #doubledup #doubledupishomeless #housingisahumanright #winterwalk #nyc #newyorkcity #homelessinnyc

🚨 Connecticut's Homelessness Crisis: Immediate Action Needed 🚨 In Connecticut, we're facing a critical situation: Over 70 children are homeless, with the northwest region particularly affected due to a lack of shelters. The housing crisis, intensified by the pandemic, is pushing families into dire conditions. This is more than a state issue; it's about our community's future. As professionals and citizens, let's mobilize resources and support to provide relief and sustainable solutions. #ConnecticutHomelessCrisis #CommunityEngagement #EndHomelessnessCT https://lnkd.in/eK-G6cJN

Today RTFH released the topline data collected from more than 1,700 volunteers spread across San Diego County in January for this year’s Point-in-Time Count. The information shows the minimum number of people experiencing homelessness across the region. Overall, the 2024 Point-in-Time Count found no less than 10,605 people experiencing homelessness across our region. This includes 6,110 unsheltered San Diegans and 4,495 individuals in shelters and transitional housing. This is a 3% increase from the 2023 Point-in-Time Count. In 2023, homelessness across the region was up about 20 percent from the prior year. The 2024 count shows homelessness is a regional issue, with roughly 200 additional people experiencing homelessness in each region of San Diego County. For more information please see the release below. 

Everyone deserves a secure place to call home, yet homelessness is on the rise. The upcoming Government must take steps to address this crisis. We, along with over 50 organizations, have signed Homelesslink’s letter to party leaders, calling for immediate and decisive action. Read more here: https://ow.ly/tncv50Smix0 #AHomeForEveryone

Essay | Dealing with Tampa’s Homelessness Crisis https://lnkd.in/ei3F4gWr Tampa has the nation’s highest homelessness rate, with 16,000 homeless individuals, including one-fifth being children, caused by factors like increasing rent costs and the expiration of pandemic-related protections. The Tampa-St. area is well-known for its beautiful beaches. The Tampa-St. area is worth visiting. The Petersburg metropolitan area is known for its major issue with homelessness, having the highest rate in the country. The area has a homelessness rate of 57 per 10,000 residents. The number of individuals without stable housing in the area is roughly 16,000, highlighting the severity of the crisis. A troubling statistic emerges within this population: 20% of the homeless individuals are children, highlighting the severe impact of homelessness on society’s most vulnerable members. The crisis saw a surge in public attention, particularly during significant occasions such as the Republican National Convention, but resolving it will still demand consistent effort and resources.