U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH)’s Post

More IS possible.

This week, during Homelessness Week across Australia, I hope everyone has taken the time to consider the countless individuals and families struggling to find a safe and secure place to call home. And, what role each of us can play in preventing and putting an end to homelessness. The 2024 theme: "Homelessness Action Now", is now more poignant than ever. Housing insecurity and housing affordability are at critical levels as more Australians are being pushed into homelessness and are facing the daily reality of stagnant social housing waiting lists, private rental price surges, and interim and temporary accommodation stretched to capacity. As a community services agency and Lead Agency of the Toward Home Alliance, Lutheran Care reaffirms our commitment to action that includes both immediate relief measures and long-term strategies to prevent and end homelessness. We will continue our collaborative efforts in the Alliance and with sector colleagues on advocacy pieces to government that address systemic issues contributing to homelessness and address some of the root causes of homelessness (exacerbated by the shortage of affordable housing) that includes poverty, unemployment, family violence, social isolation and financial literacy. I acknowledge the hard work and commitment of our Toward Home Alliance teams, working across the Adelaide CBD, southern inner and outer metro areas and Adelaide Hills alongside our sister Alliances and support organisations and partners such as NT Shelter in Central Australia. Thank you for showing up every day with empathy in an environment and financial climate which arguably has never been more challenging to make a positive impact on the lives of families and individuals experiencing homelessness. Thank you to our fellow Alliance members, sector peers, government partners, real estate leaders, corporate Australia, clients and everyday people, for your support, as we all acknowledge homelessness can happen to any one of us - and it does. I urge everyone to stay informed, act, support initiatives, volunteer your time, donate resources, or simply help spread the message that ending homelessness is a community responsibility. Together we can make an impact on the lives of people at risk of and experiencing homelessness. @LutheranCare #HomelessnessWeek2024 #EndingHomelessness #HW2024

Our national nonprofit partners at National Alliance to End Homelessness recently released their State of Homelessness Report with a 15-year lookback at trends, by state, with an interactive map. Some key national takeaways: 1) Response systems work effectively, but needs more resources to combat the nationwide affordable housing crisis; 2) More people than ever are experiencing homelessness for the first time, with a 23% increase in the past 5 years; 3) Record high numbers of people are living unsheltered, especially among individuals; and 4) Severe housing cost burden for renter households (paying more than half your income on rent) is on a dramatic rise. Mississippi's data trends are more encouraging, but there is so much more work to be done! Become a part of the solution by getting involved on the national or local level and consider becoming a member of your local Continuum of Care and investing your time, talent, or treasure to build a better community for us all! https://lnkd.in/dDBr6KSp

So many wonderful & important initiatives came from the sector during Homelessness Week that we're still catching up! Today, we're putting an overdue spotlight on two key reports on child and youth homelessness that were released by Homelessness Australia and Melbourne City Mission (MCM) last week. MCM, in partnership with Social Ventures Australia, released the Victorian Youth Homelessness Snapshot, which revealed high rates of family violence, health emergencies, self-harm and suicide risk among 15-24 year-olds experiencing homelessness: https://lnkd.in/gbcq3vXz Meanwhile, Homelessness Australia released the Child Homelessness Snapshot, which found: - 18,828 children in Victoria presented to specialist services as part of a family group in 2022/23 (the most of any State in Australia); - 3271 unaccompanied children sought help from Victorian specialist services; and - across Australia, First Nations children were over-represented among children experiencing homelessness. https://lnkd.in/gH65bp7t

The recent Supreme Court ruling in City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson, which allows for the arrest of people experiencing homelessness for sleeping in public places when no adequate shelter options are available, is a devastating blow to human rights. This decision ignores the fundamental issue at the heart of homelessness: the severe, prolonged shortage of affordable housing across the nation. By criminalizing homelessness, the ruling exacerbates the already dire circumstances faced by some of our most vulnerable citizens. Research consistently shows that criminalizing homelessness is both ineffective and costly. Arresting and imprisoning individuals for the simple act of seeking a place to rest does nothing to address the root causes of homelessness. Instead, it perpetuates a cycle of instability and marginalization, making it even more challenging for people to escape homelessness. Ann Oliva, CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, rightly points out that this ruling sets a dangerous precedent. It empowers local officials to resort to punitive measures rather than investing in real solutions, such as affordable housing and supportive services. This approach not only fails to reduce homelessness but also diverts critical resources away from evidence-based interventions that have been proven to work. Homelessness is a housing problem. The primary reason people are without homes is the lack of affordable housing options. Policies that criminalize homelessness ignore this reality and instead punish individuals for their circumstances. To truly address homelessness, we need long-term, sustainable solutions that provide safe, stable, and affordable housing for all. As a society, we must advocate for policies that uphold the dignity and rights of every individual, regardless of their housing status. This Supreme Court decision moves us further away from that goal, and it is imperative that we continue to push for humane and effective solutions to end homelessness.

Did you know the average age of death for a homeless female is just 52 years old? Currently in the United States, 30% of the homeless population are women. Inflation and lack of affordable housing continue to grow, and domestic violence stands as the leading cause of homelessness in women. According to the National Library of Medicine, women enduring unsheltered homelessness are 12 times more likely to face violence, poor mental and physical health, and premature death than women experiencing homelessness in shelters. Rebecca McDonald, our Women's Program Intake Coordinator, said she receives up to 15-20 phone calls per day from women seeking safe shelter. The 16 beds in our Women's Shelter, and the 15 beds for the 2nd Step Program at Sally's House, are full, with 17 women on the waitlist. Rebecca said, "It’s hard for a person to have the willingness to call here and ask for the help we offer that can change their lives. That’s a scary thing. Sometimes, that willingness doesn’t last, and they continue to live the way they were living. It would be such a huge advantage to have extra beds to offer in that moment when they are willing to come into the program." In 2023, City Mission served 1,436 unique individuals, an alarming 25% increase from the previous year. To read more about the current state of homelessness in our country: https://lnkd.in/eMFtNzxs

This is an issue that only is going to grow with no stabilization on the economy on the horizon and the still perpetuated myths about the homeless. As a country we are still being reactive rather than proactive. We need to reevaluate curriculum in schools to bring back vocational training, to focus on personal economics, life coaching and planning, resume writing, and so much more. Then addressing risk factors like substance use mental health, at risk for food insecurity. We also need to be educating landlords and property management companies about the myths of the unhoused.

Statement from Framily Support Network (FSN) on the Supreme Court Decision in Johnson v. Grants Pass June 28, 2024 Today, the Supreme Court issued a decision in Johnson v. Grants Pass, a ruling that we at the Framily Support Network (FSN) find deeply troubling and contrary to our values and mission. This decision permits the enforcement of public camping bans, even when there are not enough shelter beds available, effectively criminalizing homelessness. At FSN, we believe that homelessness is not a crime but a humanitarian crisis that requires compassion, understanding, and comprehensive solutions. The Supreme Court’s decision undermines efforts to protect the most vulnerable members of our society and disregards the complex socio-economic factors that contribute to homelessness. This ruling will exacerbate the struggles faced by homeless individuals, pushing them further into the margins and making it even more difficult for them to access essential services and support. Criminalizing homelessness does not address the root causes of the issue, such as lack of affordable housing, mental health support, and addiction services. Instead, it merely punishes people for their unfortunate circumstances. FSN stands in solidarity with those affected by this decision. We will continue to advocate for policies that provide real, humane solutions to homelessness. We call on local governments, community organizations, and all citizens to join us in this fight. It is imperative that we work together to create a society where everyone has a safe and secure place to call home. In light of this decision, FSN will redouble our efforts to support those experiencing homelessness and to push for legislative changes that promote dignity, respect, and real opportunities for all. We urge policymakers to prioritize compassionate approaches that address the root causes of homelessness and provide lasting solutions. Framily Support Network remains committed to ending homelessness through advocacy, support services, and community partnerships. We will not waver in our dedication to helping those in need and fighting for a more just and equitable society. Sincerely, Aaron E. Lewis Co-Founder & President Framily Support Network aaron@framilysupportnetwork.org 407-499-2820

The Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness 2024 conference is fast approaching and Waterloo Region has some great presentations/film and talks representing at this years conference in Ottawa. The past couple years have been monumental for our region from a systems change perspective with research, legal and collaborative transformative work setting the stage for some major shifts in our community that I can't wait to see unfold for the better as we launch ourselves towards the goal of functional zero. If you are from outside our region and you're interested in what we've been doing and how we've been doing it, or if you are like me and just like seeing and hearing how your peers understand and share their work with others, I pulled out our local focused sessions happening at the conference for quick reference to help you as you make your conference schedules. October 29 -RTH1 Promoting Human Rights-Based Municipal Encampment Responses HCH2: At the Frontlines of Harm Reduction and Mobile Healthcare Delivery - A Harm Reduction Lens to Mobile Health Services and Homelessness: Lessons from Sanguen Health Centre in the Region of Waterloo. HCH3: Healthcare + Housing = Positive Health Outcomes and Housing Stability -Healthy and Housed: Explore ShelterCare’s unique integrated wellness model for those experiencing homelessness in the Waterloo Region. WH3: Advocacy and Action for Women and Gender-Diverse Housing Justice -Making the Invisible Unavoidable: A Research and Advocacy Case Study on Getting Women’s Homelessness on the Political Agenda (definitely join Roz Gunn and I for our talk!) October 30 LE4: Lived Experience on Screen - Advocacy through Film - Kitchener's Lived Expertise Working Group (LEWG) created a short film to provide education on why lived expertise is valuable, how to communicate to the public about lived experience, and navigating lived expertise through political realities. LCM5: Innovative and adaptive leadership solutions on the path to ending homelessness - Navigating the complexity together: A roadmap to Functional Zero by 2030 AWH5: Protective factors that support ending youth homelessness - Pursuing Justice: Bilateral Interactions Among the Criminal Justice and Housing Sectors for Preventing Youth Homelessness (not 100% local but featuring a prominent research voice from our region) ***Disclaimer: I used every search combination I could fathom to try and find us all but if I missed any sessions, please let me know and I will add you.

Solving homelessness isn’t rocket science. It starts with knowing who is out there and meeting their basic needs, starting with a place to live. The cause is that people don’t have enough money to afford the housing that’s available. In addition to growing the supply of deeply affordable homes, people need more money to live on. Philly reduced unsheltered homelessness by 27% between 2018-2022 by lowering barriers to come off the street, marrying outreach with shelter and safe haven entry and expanding housing. It took investment and collaborative work by the city and provider community. It can be done again. The Office of Homeless Services and the provider network reduce homelessness in isolation. They need the Mayor’s leadership, the informed support of Council, the help of the business and civic community, and collaboration across city departments like behavioral health, police, public health and corrections. It only works if it’s all hands on deck. And starting with a by name list is a game changer. The outreach, encampment, homeless system administrators already know who is out there, they need top level leadership to farther with person centered coordination of services. When all of these comments come together, people get housed and the numbers go down. It can be done. Philly has and can continue to make homelessness rare and brief.