City of Seattle的动态

https://lnkd.in/gADejk2D Addressing homelessness effectively requires more than band aid solutions at the city level.?It requires a comprehensive approach that integrates all levels of government and sectors with housing, mental health services, supportive services, and community support. St. Catharines has admitted to spending millions of dollars on trying to manage the homelessness problem within the city.?Spending millions of dollars on band aid solutions such as the $500,000 self-cleaning public restroom (which has likely cost over a million dollars to be kept operational) has not only been proven to not be an effective measure in other communities but a huge waste of tax dollars. Many local politicians have expressed frustration with the current governance model and have requested change.?The current governance model here in Niagara does not support an effective approach to the homelessness issue.?Homelessness is an issue across Niagara and not just St. Catharines.?Band aid solution carried out independently by various lower tier municipalities does little to effectively impact on this challenge. Niagara needs to come together as one and approach the province as a team to develop a solution.? #timeforchange

In spring 2023, the?federal government awarded 32 communities across the country with additional resources to address unsheltered homelessness. Some of the challenges faced by these communities that they strive to tackle with these additional resources include a severe lack of affordable housing or housing assistance programs to meet the need, homelessness response systems being stretched thin, people who are unsheltered needing clear pathways to access homeless services, and policy and politics getting in the way of solutions that work. Read the full piece and access the National Allliance to End Homelessness Research Institute’s analysis at https://lnkd.in/ganTqBw5

?? Dive into the challenges and opportunities ahead for homelessness in 2024: Responding to New and Existing Challenges: Homelessness, especially unsheltered, surged in 2023, surpassing 2007 levels. Communities face obstacles in low-income housing availability and essential service access. Advocacy is crucial to inform leaders and secure necessary investments for change. Homelessness as an Election Issue: With 2024 being a Presidential election year, homelessness is under the spotlight. Local officials feel pressure, leading to both constructive and harmful responses. Advocacy and education are vital to uphold evidence-based strategies and address homelessness effectively. Homelessness and the Supreme Court: The Supreme Court will hear a significant case on homelessness for the first time in 40 years. The decision could impact localities' ability to address involuntary unsheltered homelessness. Advocates are closely monitoring developments and preparing for potential implications. Join us in advocating for positive change and staying informed about critical developments throughout the year. Stay informed:?https://lnkd.in/ew4Cqw-k ?? Call us at (678) 539-6010 ???www.ringercenter.net #RingerCenter #Empowerment #SkillsForLife ?????? #employmentopportunities #employmentdevelopment

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.

Third Sector advised the California Interagency Council on Homelessness (Cal ICH), which advises California's?58 counties, to create a more outcomes-focused culture for its staff and county partners. This shift requires government staff to engage consumers to learn more about what happens after housing services are delivered and to understand which resources could be shared across departments to better serve constituents seeking services. Check out Third Sector's four recommendations for any state looking to address homelessness through cross-agency collaboration and stakeholder engagement: https://lnkd.in/gVV5fYWv?

?? Shifting Perceptions on Homelessness: The Role of Economic Pressures ?? Recent polling shows that while many Americans still believe homelessness is driven by personal factors like addiction (57%) and mental illness (52%), there’s a growing awareness of the economic drivers. Over half of respondents now cite housing costs (56%), inflation (52%), and low wages (46%) as major contributors. This shift is critical. As someone deeply invested in homeless services, I see firsthand how systemic issues—housing affordability, lack of safety nets, and upstream systems like foster care and criminal justice—are pushing more people into homelessness. But there’s still a long way to go. Public understanding remains incomplete, with only a small percentage recognizing the impact of policies like zoning restrictions or the absence of strong social supports. The good news? People are beginning to see how homelessness is outpacing solutions, which opens the door for more advocacy, education, and targeted policy changes. This is the moment for homeless service providers to amplify our work, highlight the success stories, and push for systemic changes that address the root causes. ?? What are your thoughts on the public's evolving perception of homelessness? Let’s continue the conversation on how we can work together to create lasting solutions. #Homelessness #HousingCrisis #HomelessServices #Advocacy #AffordableHousing #NonprofitLeadership

I can’t stop thinking about this study that revealed so much about public perception on homelessness. 1. Messaging on homelessness being tied to housing costs is WORKING! “Housing first” is not a failed campaign. It has its opponents, but it’s landing among the general public. 2. The general public still misunderstands the relationship between mental health/substance use as being causative (and one-way) rather than correlative (and multi-directional.) All of this leads me to continue to argue that our sector needs to invest VASTLY more into public education on this issue. I’ve spent the last two years (separate from my day job!) writing and speaking almost exclusively for faith-based groups who want to understand homelessness better, and I know it’s working. There’s so much desire out there, but so few people are paying for it and therefore so little time is spent doing it. (I have to do it as a side-hustle/passion-project.) We’re winning the narrative war! Let’s double down!!

Interesting insights. Working on Central Florida Foundation’s First You Talk podcast has taught me a LOT about this issue area. Zeynep Portway even helped me to connect with people experiencing homelessness (one being Kathy from the podcast). It IS complex. It IS a challenge. But I also know that the Greater Orlando organizations and municipalities working on this issue believe and embrace collaboration - which is key to moving this issue in the right direction. If you’re starting at square one on this topic, I encourage you to listen to episodes 1, 7 and 9 of the First You Talk podcast to help gain a better understanding of this complicated topic. (Bonus listening: episode 2 on housing.) https://lnkd.in/eBNB62zu Let’s build a community who is understanding, empathetic and educated.??

The data is clear: the homelessness response system needs more resources?to effectively address the scale of the housing affordability crisis.? ? The newly-released State of Homelessness: 2024 Edition from the @National Alliance to End Homelessness can help you identify gaps in the system’s resources and advocate accordingly.? https://lnkd.in/gR7iEbk6

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that the All Neighbors Coalition, a collective of over 140 organizations working in collaboration to solve homelessness in Dallas and Collin counties, will receive over $27 million in annual funding! President and CEO of Housing Forward Sarah Kahn said, “More funding means we can scale up what works for more reductions in homelessness. Public-private partnerships, united by a laser-focus on unsheltered homelessness and a commitment to evidence-based strategies, have made it possible for the All Neighbors Coalition to house more people than ever before. In the last few years alone we’ve seen a 160% increase in monthly housing placements. Together we’re focused on helping families and individuals move back into permanent homes with access to needed services.” Read more about this announcement here: https://lnkd.in/g5bsWwcQ #AllNeighborsCoalition #HousingForward #Endhomelessness