United to End Homelessness

Newsom’s executive order wasn’t a surprise - we knew that we’d start seeing headlines like this after the Supreme Court decision in June. This article shares some great perspectives from Supervisors Vicente Sarmiento and Don Wagner, along with other local leaders, about what this means, and underscores that it’s the responsibility of each city to determine how they will respond. So ultimately, WE have to decide whether to support real solutions to homelessness or shortcut fixes. YOU can get involved to let your civic leaders know that housing ends homelessness, housing ends encampments, and housing creates the future of Orange County for all people to enjoy. 🙌 Learn more and get involved to #EndHomelessnessOC by joining us for Homelessness 101- find out more at https://lnkd.in/gQXzFDFM

When a shortfall of several hundred thousand dollars almost derailed new homeless housing in Bakersfield, healthcare company Akido Labs, which runs clinics and street medicine teams in Southern and Central CA, jumped in to help! “For the unhoused, housing is medicine,” said Karthik Murali of Akido Labs. “Providing stable housing can alleviate more health conditions than taking them to the ICU and the hospital and providing street medicine." In Orange County, CalOptima Health has made incredible strides to help #EndHomelessnessOC, and many more partners are invested! Read on and SHARE this great news 💪 https://bit.ly/4bG7uQE

📅 Next week: attend a free, virtual Community Chat on the 2024 Point In Time Count! In Part Two of this ongoing conversation, learn how recent data impacts Orange County and helps local leaders generate creative solutions and drive housing innovations. 📊 RSVP today to secure your spot: https://bit.ly/3xCE8ER Help change the conversation. Together, we can and will #EndHomelessnessOC! #EveryoneCountsOC

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the availability of $40 million in funds for its Eviction Protection Grant Program (EPGP), a first-of-its-kind federal effort to stabilize housing. Because the most effective way to prevent homelessness is to stop evictions and homelessness in the first place! 👏 "This program exemplifies HUD's focus on helping renters," said HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman. "We are releasing $40 million to support our local partners, who are providing a crucial lifeline to people who risk losing their homes, particularly people of color, who disproportionately face eviction." Such an incredible effort to help #EndHomelessnessOC! 🎉 Read details and SHARE the great news https://bit.ly/3xOGlNH

L.A. County's 2024 Point In Time Count survey shows a 2% drop in the number of unhoused people living in the city! 👏 🏡 This noteworthy shift is a sign of reprioritization, starting with city and county officials declaring homelessness an emergency and followed by rent subsidies, housing vouchers, and eviction protections to keep families housed. Still, more can always be done. "Getting people into temporary housing and shelter is important. But moving people into permanent housing is what will make the homeless numbers go down significantly." Learn more and share this hopeful news from our neighboring county 🎉 https://lat.ms/3S8ULim

Recent data shows that 72% of people in the surveyed shelters had already done everything they could logistically to qualify for permanent housing. But experts agree that ultimately, "we didn't have a place to put families." Want to dive deeper? Virtually attend this week's Community Chat on how recent survey data impacts services and solutions in Orange County! RSVP to secure your spot: https://bit.ly/3xCE8ER We can and must do all we can to #EndHomelessnessOC ✊

Tiny homes may be a popular concept among trendsetters and philanthropists, yet experts agree they are a short-term solution to the country’s homelessness crisis. “I would say that tiny homes are an absolutely important part of the ecosystem, but they are not housing,” said Margot Kushel, director of the Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative. While we support all efforts to address the housing crisis, we're hopeful for more permanent solutions to emerge to #EndHomelessnessOC. Dive into the article to learn more and share your thoughts! 🌟 Read here: https://bit.ly/4cZic5M

Doheny Village, an apartment complex with 306 units and an attached parking structure, was finally approved to begin construction after months of controversy, including how the project's plans for affordable housing don't meet state guidelines. “I hope they get building sooner than later,” said Mayor Jamey Federico, adding that while the project may not be perfect, “it has some benefits for everybody.” Read on, SHARE, and stay informed to help #EndHomelessnessOC: https://bit.ly/3WfOvYD

Policymakers and HomeAid Orange County are working to preserve Old Towne Orange's historic neighborhood while recognizing the need to build affordable housing. A new project on nearby La Veta Avenue will soon provide 20 beds for people in need, proving that those two priorities don't have to conflict.  "La Veta Village will end up being a multi-generational community that will bring critical housing to families and seniors at risk of experiencing homelessness." Enjoy photos from their grand opening! Read on, SHARE, and stay informed to help #EndHomelessnessOC: https://bit.ly/3LkZABi

How do we tackle the immediate needs of youth experiencing homelessness? In part two of our Young Adult Homelessness Community Chat Series, Kim Lewis of California Coalition for Youth explained the disparity between housing and available beds, and our community's severe level of need. 📺 Watch the conversation in full, discover the solutions to #EndHomelessnessOC: https://bit.ly/4bECUqC