Houston-Galveston Area Council’s Post

If you're new to being #homeless, you're probably asking yourself how and why do I need a budget when I'm #homeless. As I've discussed in previous articles about how to make money when you're #homeless, now that you're making money it's time to save money so you can get off the streets. So, how do you create a budget when you're homeless and living on the streets? https://lnkd.in/ebmTgm-k

On Monday 4/22, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear the case of City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson, a Supreme Court case that will determine whether a local government can arrest or fine people for sleeping outside when adequate shelter is not available. The case is expected to have a significant impact on local responses homelessness and the rights of people who are unsheltered. The National Low Income Housing Coalition, National Homelessness Law Center, National Coalition for the Homeless, and National Alliance to End Homelessness are organizing a National Week of Action to Oppose the Criminalization of Homelessness and have created this toolkit (linked in the post below) to support local advocacy. As stated in the toolkit, "The Supreme Court case comes amidst a growing wave of criminalization in communities nationwide. Criminalization is not a solution to homelessness; it is an outdated, dehumanizing, and counterproductive approach that makes it harder to address this crisis. Criminalization disproportionately harms Black and Indigenous people, who are overly represented among those who experience homelessness due to longstanding, systemic racism in housing and other sectors. Instead, the approach proven to be most effective in addressing homelessness is providing access to affordable housing and voluntary supportive services, including case management, healthcare, and behavioral health services. Rather than arresting people for being unhoused, policymakers at the local, state, and federal levels should use all available tools to address the affordable housing crisis that fuels homelessness and to help unhoused people move into homes and access supportive services." See the toolkit for more information and resources to join the National Week of Action!

1. Years of housing and health discrimination lead to acute public crises and rising public outrage. 2. People blame those who are suffering and start looking for easy aswers. 3. Leaders fall back on recycled silver bullet policies that make the problem worse. This is bad policy for CA and for the nation. We know where it leads. We can do better by investing in real solutions.

CSH, the Source for Housing Solutions and organizational partners call on the Governor and state officials to acknowledge that the order will disproportionately affect Black, Indigenous and People of Color, perpetuating racism and systemic inequalities such as poverty, discrimination in housing, employment, and education. The Statewide Homeless Assessment reported stark racial disparities among unsheltered homelessness in California: The proportion of Black individuals in the annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count was 5.3 times higher than their proportion in the state’s total population. Indigenous people experiencing homelessness were represented at a rate 5.0 times higher, and Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders experiencing homelessness were represented at 2.8 times higher than their shares of the population. Further, the executive order blatantly ignores compelling, independent research, including a recent analysis of Los Angeles practices and a RAND report, proving that a punitive approach to homelessness like clearing encampments is ineffective and temporary, and disproportionally harms people of color, people with mental illness, older adults, and people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. These practices lead to erecting barriers to housing or shelters, causing service providers to lose contact with their clients, people losing their identification and other documentation needed to move into housing, and driving people further into poverty. “Jurisdictions that aggressively close encampments without ensuring that the people living in them have access to affordable housing and necessary services will fail,” said Deborah De Santis, President and CEO at CSH. “Instead, we can choose to invest in effective solutions that create sustainable, healthy and safe communities, reduce taxpayer burdens, and ensure dignity and housing for all.” ❤️ #housingnothandcuffs #supportdontpunish

Many gathered last Thursday for an emotional and empowering candlelight vigil that honored survivors of domestic violence and honored those who did not escape the tragic outcome imposed on them-death. The atmosphere was heavy with both the weight of the experiences shared and the warmth of community support. Those present listened intently to the courageous stories shared by survivors. Their words were a reminder of the strength it takes to not only endure the violence but also to stand up and speak out. Witnessing these deeply personal stories had a transformative impact on everyone present. From supporters to family members and even those who merely came to learn about domestic abuse. The narratives encouraged us all to become champions for the voiceless and soldiers for change. There was a point where the word 𝐇𝐎𝐏𝐄 was emphasized. It reminded us that together we can foster HOPE and create lasting change. It reminded us that to cultivate HOPE we need to take meaningful action. As we move forward and wrap up the month dedicated to Domestic Violence Awareness, let's be diligent and continue to amplify the stories, provide safe spaces for healing, and relentlessly pursue a future free from domestic abuse. Let's cultivate an environment of 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐬𝐨 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠. __________________________________________________________ If you are inspired to help us continue these services to those most vulnerable, please consider making a donation at https://lnkd.in/gurtjGDN. Family Services of So. Wisconsin's DEFY program is a funded partner of United Way Blackhawk Region. #liveunited

Please contact the City Council here in Des Moines (emails located on this shared post) with your advocacy and voice sharing concerns around criminalizing homelessness. This is a systemic issue and nothing less than that. The walls inside of government buildings have decided that people are not worthy of dignity and compassion, but I know that's not true, and I believe that the good in humanity would agree. The next Des Moines City Council meeting is Monday, August 19th at 5pm. Please reach out to these folks and let them know how harsh this truly is. Congressman Zach Nunn is donating money to a youth shelter stating that "Every young person deserves a home" - but young or not, everyone deserves shelter. In the social work/human services realm, you learn a lot about Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. The first important item to note is that for any HUMANS well-being, their physiological needs must be met - guess what goes under that category? Shelter. We are in a housing crisis, we are in an economic crisis, the last thing unhoused people need, are more fines and put in jail. Being unhoused is not a crime. If anything, making decisions about people who have no seat at the table, is the crime. Please please please, use your voice. Empower human beings. Be a good and KIND human. Unhoused homies deserve seats at the table, I hope you show up for them too.

*Timeline For The Case: April 22nd: Oral arguments and in-person rally at the Supreme Court. June 30th: End of court term. A decision will be made by this date. '......In April, the United States Supreme Court will hear the Johnson v. Grants Pass case. This is the most significant Supreme Court case about homelessness criminalization and the rights of homeless people in decades. At its core, this case will decide whether cities can punish people for things like sleeping outside with a pillow or blanket, even when there are no safe shelter options.   We can win this case and at the same time, we can build the movement that knows we can only solve homelessness with housing and supportive services. But, to do that, we need your help. Here are ways to get involved.....': *Join us for a rally in DC on the day of the oral arguments (~April 22-24th)  #homeless #atriskhomelessness #homelessness #unhoused #buyhomelessahouse #buyatriskhomelessahouse https://lnkd.in/d7cCZFS8

Let's talk about Johnson v. Grants Pass, a pivotal case heading to the Supreme Court. On April 22nd, the Supreme Court will hear the most significant legal battle concerning homelessness in decades. This case will determine whether cities can punish people for things like sleeping outside with a pillow or blanket, even when there are no safe shelter options. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gMAurhKi #JohnsonVGrantsPass

Today is World Day Against Human Trafficking. Human trafficking is a cause that deeply resonates with me. This heinous crime involves traffickers exploiting individuals' hopes and desperation for profit, preying on the most vulnerable. The Tim Tebow Foundation reports that hundreds of thousands of children are being sexually exploited and abused by their offenders, while approximately 50 million people are enslaved by traffickers. Immediate action is crucial. Nations need to prioritize child protection, enhance legal frameworks, strengthen law enforcement, and allocate more resources to combat child trafficking. If you or someone you know is a victim or survivor, please contact local helplines. Let's support programs that aid survivors through donations and raise awareness about this issue. Together, let’s take action to put an end to human trafficking. #WorldDayAgainstTrafficking #EndHumanTrafficking 

Homeless Neighbors In New Orleans Deserve Whatever Measure of Safety This City Can Offer Them. NOPD: Teens beat, robbed homeless men in French Quarter https://lnkd.in/ehicmvEe As if being homeless weren't bad enough, insult to injury is being pistol whipped and scant possessions thrown into the 'Mighty Mississippi' river. The youth of these attackers suggests possessing many more brutal decades. Not an encouraging thought. Attacking homeless people isn't a great statement on your contribution to society. In fact, it should be grounds for life imprisonment for preying on our most vulnerable community members. You'll note a pronounced absence of shock in this post. When allowed free reign to commit violent community treason, the target checklist can include even those who literally have nothing. Frankly, the fact assaults on the homeless aren't happening more often in New Orleans is a function of greed-the homeless have nothing to take-and not any sense of empathy. From my fingertips to God's ear I type this plea: may fickle local liberal judges and prosecutors do the unlikely and pursue maximum penalties in this case. Homeless neighbors deserve whatever measure of safety this city can offer them, starting with permanent shelter but definitely some semblance of physical safety on the streets. Cap Black. #securitytopicwriter #securityadvisor #protector