Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s Post

It is true and exasperating that those who serve the most in need are often the most at risk of homelessness and food insecurity. The irony is that it takes so long to build trust and those we serve are the least able to adjust to the constant changes in staffing due to these realities. I wish I had an answer but it takes 4-7 years on average to get permanent housing built and during that time as costs go up and public sources get stretched, losing empathetic and critical staff is becoming the norm. #helpushelpthem #publicprivatepartnership #impactinvesting #impact first

In the heart of Athens, a city pulsating with creativity, culture and community spirit, lies a stark reality that contrasts the vibrant streets and bustling businesses. Homelessness — a pertinent matter that affects countless individuals and families — has reached alarming proportions in Athens-Clarke County, demanding urgent attention and concerted efforts from both public and private sectors. According to the annual "point-in-time" count, a comprehensive HUD Exchange survey of sheltered and unsheltered homeless individuals, Athens-Clarke County is currently home to approximately 342 people experiencing homelessness. However, this figure likely underestimates the true magnitude of the crisis. In 2022 alone, there were 4,679 unique enrollments in homeless services, shedding light on the extensive reach of homelessness within the community. Click the link to check out one of my favorite pieces of work to-date: https://lnkd.in/es763g55

Opinion: San Antonio Must Continue to Invest in Homeless Response "San Antonio/Bexar County’s homelessness continuum of care lead agency, Close to Home, and the Alliance to House Everyone have a comprehensive plan to address chronic and family homelessness, and plans for youth and families fleeing domestic violence. These community plans were authored and/or adopted by the city of San Antonio and Bexar County; they are implemented through the collective focus and resources of the city, county and state of Texas, streamlining efforts across federal, state and local funding to leverage greater impact for each targeted population. Across the plans, there is a common thread: People need long-term affordable housing options they can sustain with appropriate wraparound services." Close to Home SAMMinistries Haven for Hope https://lnkd.in/gzFRRHTg

The 2023 Point in Time Count captures data from a year ago, but Blanchet House & Farm’s experiences last year reflect the report’s findings. But where we stand today, February 2024, there’s reason to be optimistic that things will improve. It won’t be easy or quick, and improvements won’t always be linear, but strong and persistent collaboration and commitment in addressing our community’s most pressing issues concerning homelessness and poverty will produce results. We firmly believe that at Blanchet House.

📢 Housing is the foundation for everything. Without it, people don’t have the mental space, energy, or stability needed to accomplish their goals. Just give housing 🏠. #housingforall #housingfirst

There are two important news stories out today with a direct impact on homelessness in LA: - The 2024 Los Angeles County homeless count, released by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, showed a 0.27% reduction in the overall number of people experiencing homelessness in LA County. - The U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in the case of City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, enabling cities to remove homeless encampments from the streets—even when shelter space is unavailable. We are grateful that the count has finally leveled off, after 7 straight years of significant increases, but much more work must be done to end the epidemic of homelessness in LA County. The efforts of the city, along with other private and public entities, have finally put us on a better trajectory, yet it is not enough. LA's homelessness crisis is still just that: a crisis. As Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman notes, the city continues to face “harsh fiscal realities” that will make additional reductions more difficult for the public sector to achieve over the long term. With the added pressures that the Supreme Court ruling will impose, homelessness will continue to demand a holistic, innovative, all-hands-on-deck approach to resolve. LA simply doesn't have the shelter capacity, housing, processes, or technology to get everyone off the streets. We created Better Angels to fix this. Our mission is to solve LA's homeless epidemic by harnessing the power of the LA community. As a result of today’s Supreme Court's decision, there is more urgency than ever for us to act. https://lnkd.in/giFkfqPy

Read more in part 2 of our #homelessness series focused on "What happens when you give cash to people who are experiencing homelessness?" #UBI https://lnkd.in/eeU9JRY5

As a funder, meeting with service providers in the homelessness/housing sector is one of the best parts of my role. Their commitment to helping the unhoused is inspiring, but hearing their weariness about the future is concerning. According to a recent Department of Housing and Urban Development report, homelessness has increased by over 12% in the last two years. Shockingly, on any given night, more than 650,000 people in the United States are unhoused, with 68,000 people, including children, experiencing unstable housing in Chicago alone. Today, the Supreme Court will hear a case (Grants Pass vs Johnson) that will have a far-reaching impact on whether we, as a society, will meet the needs of unhoused people or continue to criminalize being without a home. The hope is that this case will bring much-needed attention to the root causes of homelessness: lack of affordable housing, lack of mental health support, racial inequities, and domestic violence. It's important to note that millions of people are only one paycheck away from crisis. We need better policy and political will in the United States, one of the wealthiest countries in the world, to end homelessness. Sleeping on the streets and living in tent encampments is not safe for anyone, especially unhoused people. Let's work together to make sure that everyone has access to safe and stable housing. #housingnothandcuffs #housingisahumanright #housingjustice #funderstogethertoendhomelessness To learn more about the Supreme Court case and its potential impact on homelessness, check out this article: https://lnkd.in/g_B5PjBi

Homelessness continues to be a pressing issue across the country, yet it often doesn't receive the attention it deserves. However, it's inspiring to see that there are individuals and organizations striving to make a difference. Let's continue to raise awareness and support those who are working towards solutions to this critical problem. #homelessnessawareness #socialimpact