UCSF Benioff Homelessness & Housing Initiative’s Post

This! Tiny homes can be an important stepping stone to permanent housing for folks experiencing homelessness - just like safe parking and shelters - but should not be seen as the end goal. Only getting folks into safe and accessible #permanentsupportivehousing with wrap-around services will solve our homelessness crisis. The question is - do we have the political and financial will to do what needs to be done? Oregon, California, and Washington have all battled these questions - check out Margot Kushel MD’s insights below ⬇️ #affordablehousing

Important repost. “These studies continue to show that a universal basic income reduces homelessness by providing financial stability, lowering the risk of eviction, and enabling access to essential services. It ensures everyone has a baseline income to meet basic needs, promoting housing security and reducing the overall burden on social services.” #universalbasicincome

Incorporating appropriate/individualized mandatory service attachment into the Housing First model could significantly enhance its effectiveness. By ensuring that individuals receiving housing also have access to essential services such as mental health support, substance abuse treatment, and sustainable income levels, the model not only addresses immediate housing needs but also tackles underlying issues contributing to homelessness. This additional service requirement could lead to more sustainable outcomes, helping individuals not just to obtain housing but to thrive in their new living situations, while maintaining the fidelity of Housing First and precept of no preconditions to receive housing.

This blogpost from NAEH is on point. Homelessness is a mathematic equation - if we can house people at a faster rate than folks are becoming unhoused then we will end this societal travesty. The speed at which we arrive at solutions is directly related to the number ($) of resources we allocate to the problem. "It doesn’t have to be this way. Maintaining homelessness at this level has huge costs to society, while falling short of widely agreed-upon values. We know what it would take. Funding programs to scale, expanding Medicaid, aligning key partners – all of this would help to reduce homelessness, especially in states where there are higher populations of low income people and people of color. There are communities and other countries that provide examples of strategies that work: even in the 2023 PIT Count, we saw entire states with reduced homelessness (e.g., Delaware, Louisiana), and communities with big reductions in unsheltered homelessness (e.g., Chattanooga, TN; Jackson MS), while Finland announced that it was housing everyone who was homeless. The United States remains the richest country in history. It is not beyond our capacity to end homelessness."

Have you wondered why Oregon has the nations highest rate for chronic homelessness? 🧐 This article explains the history and what to do about it. Spoiler alert: create housing. 🏢 --- At the end of the 19th century - So the city constructed short-term lodging houses, which became known as single room occupancy hotels (SROs), to house them for cheap. These hotels offered single rooms for around 35 cents a night ($12 in 2023 rates) with communal kitchens and bathrooms. --- But in the 1950s and ‘60s, Portland began tearing down these hotels as part of a national shift toward urban renewal, where cities leveled poor and minority neighborhoods to make way for higher-end housing, businesses and other development meant to spur economic growth. --- This mass destruction of low-income housing came as the federal government flip-flopped on public housing. In 1968, the Housing and Urban Development Act established programs that help low-income people buy homes and afford mortgages, along with a rental assistance program for low-income tenants. Just five years later, President Richard Nixon issued a moratorium on all public housing spending. --- These multiple blows to public and affordable housing programs “created a direct path to mass shelters,” according to Ed Blackburn, the former executive director of homeless service provider Central City Concern.

This is an excellent article that highlights a strategic solutions based approach to the homeless crisis in Portland, a topic I am personally very passionate about. The "housing first" approach that is currently in play simply doesn't work. Yes, we need to build more affordable housing. However, speaking from experience, if we don't provide nuanced treatment options that target the multitude of root causes to homelessness, housing alone will not get us out of this crisis. https://lnkd.in/gbHePsFs

🏡 Embracing the Power of Community: The Community First Village by Mobile Loaves & Fishes in Austin, TX 🤝 While in Austin for the Texas Homeless Network’s Texas Conference on Ending Homelessness, Annual Conference had the privilege of visiting the remarkable Community First Village, and I'm left inspired by what they've achieved. In my work, I constantly hear concerns that people have when discussing homeless supportive communities like this. Please say: 🚩“Could a village designed for people experiencing homelessness TRULY make a long-lasting difference?” 🚩“Could it REALLY break the cycle of homelessness and provide a genuine sense of belonging?”  🚩“Could a community like this ACTUALLY be a beacon for the community and not a blight?” The Community First Village answers all three questions with a resounding yes, and here’s how: 💡 Innovative Housing Solutions: Community First Village redefines what it means to provide housing. Instead of sterile shelters, they offer tiny homes with low rents (yes, residents have lease agreements) that provide individuals with a safe and dignified place to call their own. The village has shown that stable housing is the foundation upon which lives can be rebuilt. 🌟 Embracing Community: One of the most striking aspects is how the village fosters a sense of belonging. Residents aren't just housed; they are part of a vibrant, caring community. I witnessed firsthand the bonds formed between neighbors, the support networks that have emerged, and the genuine friendships that have flourished. 🌿 Sustainability and Self-Sufficiency: Concerns about sustainability were met head-on. The village has a strong emphasis on self-sufficiency, with micro-enterprises, organic farming, and vocational training; this was under their umbrella of “Dignified Work.” It's not just a housing solution; it's a pathway to self-sustainability and empowerment. 🕊️ Restoring Dignity: The dedication to restoring dignity to individuals experiencing homelessness is evident in every aspect of Community First Village. They provide access to healthcare, mental health support, and a myriad of services to address the unique needs of residents. They shared that they have an 89% success rate of people staying. 🙏 Changing Perceptions: What struck me the most was how this community challenged stereotypes and misconceptions about homelessness. It's a powerful reminder that homelessness can happen to anyone, but with the right support and compassion, individuals can rebuild their lives. 👏 Proving the Doubters Wrong: To those who have reservations about communities like this, I can confidently say that Community First Village has not only addressed concerns but exceeded expectations. It's a testament to what can be achieved when a community comes together with love, compassion, and a shared vision. I encourage you to visit Community First Village, support their mission, and witness the transformation firsthand!

🏠💼 Addressing Cost-Burdened Rent and Situational Homelessness 💼🏠 One of the increasing causes of situational homelessness in Nashville is cost-burdened rent. It's disheartening to know that according to the housing report from the Office of Mayor Megan Barry in 2017, a significant 44% of all renters in Nashville are considered "cost-burdened," spending over 30% of their income on housing, and this includes more than 70% of low-income renters. While 5 years have passed since that report was published, and the cost of housing has only increased since then. This issue has far-reaching effects on our community's financial stability and well-being. When rent takes up such a substantial portion of household income, it leaves little room for other crucial needs and perpetuates the cycle of being unhoused. As someone who deeply values community support and believes in creating positive change, I feel compelled to take action. At Entryway Nashville, we are committed to finding lasting solutions to cost-burdened rent through strategic partnerships, advocacy, and supportive resources. I wholeheartedly believe that by supporting our organization, we can play a pivotal role in empowering individuals to regain stability and work towards brighter futures. Together, let's unite our efforts, leverage our expertise, and foster meaningful change. I am determined to be part of the movement to create a city where affordable housing is accessible to all, ensuring that no one in our community is left without a place to call home. Join me in making a lasting impact on the lives of those affected by this crucial issue. 💪🏡

🚀 Empowering Change Through Strategic Planning and Leadership 🚀 Many of you, especially those in NL, may remember that End Homelessness St. John's (EHSJ) signed on to operate a Transitional Housing Initiative (THI) in mid-April. While there was a desire to see this site up and running immediately and housing 100+ individuals experiencing chronic homelessness - we knew that effective change could only come from a well-articulated plan and the hiring of a strong leadership team as the foundation for change in our community. Many folks who’ve been following our work know there’s an immense pressure from politicians, media and the general public. And while we all wished solutions to the housing and homelessness crisis in St. John’s was being addressed years ago, we can't dwell on what could or should have been done – we have to focus our approach to getting the THI done right. We know we cannot capitulate to pressure or rush our plans for the sake of political or media expediency. Doing so would just repeat the many missteps that led our community to this crisis in the first place. We’re charting a different approach because we know rushing and cutting corners will only compromise our long-term success and the well-being of those we serve. Despite the narratives on social media, media, or the House of Assembly - we don't evaluate the efficacy of an initiative before it begins. We're grateful to work with multiple partners, including an on-site health clinic, building a housing support team, and ensuring Indigenous cultural supports and other community partners are all engaged - we know this will be a game changer for so many in our community. The THI is now larger than many community groups in NL with a strong core leadership team in place and we accomplished that in less than two months – I’m so proud to see how many talented folks wanted to work with EHSJ and be part of the solution. We know that to affect change we need to build our teams first to lead – then to run. By carefully crafting our strategies, we’re ensuring that every step taken is deliberate and aimed at achieving the best possible outcomes – and more importantly setting the precedent for how services should be funded to be delivered across our province in the future. We believe that by sticking to our principles - Confidentiality, Housing First, Transparency, Integrity, and Solutions-Focused - we can resist the pressures of political and media expediency that often rush organizations to take shortcuts. Our leadership team is dedicated to ensuring that staff and residents are equipped with the tools and confidence they need to be successful on their health and housing journey. It's this commitment to our values that drives our work and our mission forward. #Leadership #StrategicPlanning #EndHomelessness #Housing To learn more about the THI, visit our website: https://lnkd.in/eCQHCmH7

Shocking levels of homelessness demonstrate the cruelty of the housing crisis, so what needs to be done? We're live at #housing2024 for the session: A place to call home, the long-term plan to end homelessness, to hear from the experts. Speaking are David Bogle , chair of Homes for Cathy; John Greaves, Places for People; Alice Lamb, LandAid; Seyi Obakin OBE, Centrepoint; chaired by Baljit Basra of Devonshires. This isn't just a moral question says Seyi, speaking of tackling youth homelessness; it's an economic question two. Homeless people die younger than the general population, he says, citing Shelter research claiming an average age of 47. A sobering point, he tells the audience that in the time it will take him to finish his talk, two homeless people will have died. The freeze on LHA rates needs to end, brining it back to 30th percentile. Also need more single properties. Going further, we need to change the affordability market Seyi says. Rents should be tied to local incomes not market rates. Lack of affordable housing is a big factor in youth homelessness, says Alice, but it's not the only one. There 700,000 empty Homes in England. More needs to be done to bring these back to use. LandAid is working with partners to in this area to help provide homes. Real Estate industry has the resources to make a difference, not just in land and property but skills and will. Not having a home is terrifying for these young people; they have hopes and dreams too, and they deserve better. David suggests the homelessness crisis is possibly worse than when Ken Loach made the film Cathy Come Home. Government funding is essential to build more homes needed to help solve this crisis, he says. Housing associations are essential to delivering new homes. They are well placed to deliver. A difficult task to crank our the 90,000 social homes needed, so it's up to the sector to lobby and make the case. There is not a solution that doesn't involve building more homes, John says. We're seeing more interest in tackling the housing crisis. Once it felt fringe, but it's coming to the fore now, though there is still a way to go. #ukhousing