How data vs perception shapes safety narratives and policies

For far too many Americans, rents are too high, while incomes are too low, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness. The link between high housing costs and homelessness cannot be overstated. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, when median rents increase $100, homelessness rates rise by nine percent. Since 2022, median rents increased 19 percent after adjusting for inflation. Even for people in the labor force, incomes are not keeping pace with rising housing, health care and living costs. A comprehensive study of income among people experiencing homelessness demonstrated that more than half of people experiencing sheltered homelessness, and slightly less than half of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness, are formally employed. Wages are simply not keeping up with rent and expenses. Through advocacy and charity, we can turn the tide for struggling families. Learn more about our homelessness prevention initiatives at: https://lnkd.in/g-Y7MRmE

Spoke to Global News: the mayor of Barrie declared a state of emergency around homelessness. Sure, sounds great… right? Until you realize what he means is further displacement of people, and the criminalizing of poverty. His plan? Implement trespassing notices around encampments, resulting in arrest, should people break the trespass notices. His plan does not address root causes, nor does he ask why people are out here in the first place. His plan does not discuss that minimum wages are $17/hour while rental wage is $40/hr. His plan does not address the lack of housing and shelter beds. Gosh there aren’t even housing options for people in shelters to move into. His plan does not mention that the subsidized housing waitlist for York region is at least 10years long. His plan conflates homelessness with mental health and addictions and criminality. He says, “people are refusing help”. What help is being offered? People are not “service resistant”; we just aren’t offering what people are needing. When you displace one encampment with no viable options, people will simply move to the next spot in order to survive - and surprise, this will simply be another park. People often want people who are homeless to disappear. this is what is often meant by “safety”. We can agree that living in a tent in a park is not ideal. But we have to ask better questions and tackle the actual issues, not just try to move people along to nowhere. We cannot police and arrest our way out of homelessness!! (also this clip is crazy because they talk to a storeowner who's like "homelessness is bad for my business" and they go, just the other day a car backed into his storefront! - like as if homeless people in tents are also driving their vehicles into stores. the way that people who are unhoused are scapegoated for anything chaotic is unhinged. please be serious, media.)

Protect Housing Vouchers — Protect Our Community By Julien Laurent, Founder & Executive Director, Unity Bridge Project When we talk about homelessness in Long Beach, the conversation often turns to numbers: 3,595 people experiencing homelessness in 2025 — a 6.5% increase from the year before. But behind each number is a family, a student, or a neighbor trying to hold on to stability in one of the most expensive housing markets in the country . One of the most effective tools we have had in recent years is the Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program. Since 2021, these vouchers have kept 582 families housed in Long Beach . For many, it meant the difference between sleeping in a car and keeping their children in school, or between escaping abuse and falling into homelessness. But this lifeline is under threat. Unless Congress acts, the program will end on December 31, 2025, putting hundreds of families at risk of losing their housing . At Unity Bridge Project, we work with LGBTQ+ youth, survivors of trauma, and those experiencing homelessness for the first time. We see every day how fragile stability can be. Families who lose their vouchers aren’t just losing housing — they’re losing safety, community, and hope. Ending the voucher program doesn’t just fail our neighbors — it hurts our entire city. When people are forced back into homelessness, the costs ripple through emergency services, hospitals, and schools. It is far more cost-effective — and humane — to keep people housed than to try to rehouse them after the fact. We need our leaders at every level — City, County, State, and Federal — to fight to protect Emergency Housing Vouchers. Long Beach has proven that when given the resources, we can use them effectively and get results. Now we need to make sure those resources don’t disappear. Our community deserves more than temporary solutions. We need long-term commitments that keep families safe, youth supported, and every person housed with dignity.

Homelessness isn’t just a big-city crisis. Homelessness rose 18% nationwide in 2024—the sharpest increase ever recorded. Headlines and politicians often point to Washington, D.C., New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles. But some of the fastest growth is happening in places people don’t expect: • Rural homelessness jumped 10% last year. • In Meriden, CT, nearly 1,000 households sought help—only 250 could be served. • In Kalispell, MT (pop. 30,000), about 300 residents are unhoused. Big cities have become the catchall for a national crisis—partly because services are concentrated there and partly because many communities push unhoused neighbors away from business districts and residential areas. And too often, the go-to response is criminalization instead of real solutions. Yes, affordable housing is essential for the long-term. But right now we need grassroots collaboration: faith communities opening doors, nonprofits extending services, and local businesses stepping up with resources and opportunities. Homelessness isn’t “someone else’s problem.” It’s everywhere. The real choice is whether we keep pushing people out of sight—or start building solutions together.

In an inspiring move, one city has decided to tackle homelessness by hiring members of the homeless community to clean the streets. This initiative not only provides employment opportunities but also helps integrate these individuals back into society by offering them a purpose and a steady income. It’s a solution that has proven to be successful in not just addressing homelessness but also empowering those most in need. The program has led to remarkable results, with over 70% of the homeless workers successfully transitioning into permanent housing. These individuals, once overlooked and often stigmatized, are now playing an active role in their communities, earning respect and the chance to rebuild their lives. It’s a powerful reminder that with the right support and opportunities, individuals can overcome even the most difficult circumstances. This program is a testament to the idea that solving homelessness isn’t just about providing shelter but also about giving people the tools to reclaim their dignity. By offering jobs and support, the city is transforming lives and changing the way society views and treats those experiencing homelessness. 🏠✨

Visible changes in street homelessness require opening as many pathways off the streets as possible. In Denver, that approach delivered results. The city reported a 45% drop in unsheltered homelessness in just two years, and the Urban Institute documented a sharp reduction in large encampments—with 98% of encampments of 20+ people now gone. This progress came from combining street-to-housing initiatives with integrated shelter exit strategies, helping more than 5,500 people move out of homelessness so far. Communities like Denver, working at a rapid pace and broad scale to drive down unsheltered homelessness, are launching multiple routes off the streets. Some pathways connect people directly to housing, while others move through shelter. For the shelter pathways to succeed, beds must resolve quickly and turn over—creating space for the next person to come indoors. Clutch supported Denver in putting these pieces together: implementing direct-to-housing strategies, accelerating shelter exits, and launching Housing Central Command—a coordination hub that aligns the system and drives measurable results. https://lnkd.in/giFU7Ap7

“A proposal in the state legislature, . . . would require cities to allow apartments near high-quality transit stops, creating housing opportunities in the very neighborhoods with the greatest access to jobs, schools, and services.”   “The benefits are straightforward. Families who live near transit save an average of $13,000 a year on gas, insurance, and car payments—money that can instead be spent on rent, healthcare, or education.”   “SB 79 pairs new housing with affordability requirements and tenant safeguards. It mandates that 7–13% of apartments in new buildings be reserved for families earning between $30,000 and $90,000. It prohibits demolition of larger rent-controlled buildings and guarantees displaced tenants up to $108,000 in relocation assistance, along with the right to return to their new apartments at their old rent.”   “If Los Angeles wants to end homelessness and make life affordable again, it must allow homes near the transit that residents have already paid for. The people who care for our children, staff our hospitals, and run our businesses deserve to live in the communities they sustain. The best way to end homelessness is also the simplest: build homes for our neighbors.” Thanks to Inner City Law Center Director of Public Policy Mahdi Abbas Manji for this excellent op-ed. Thanks also to our local homeless service organization partners on this effort, including, among others, PATH , St. Joseph Center; Union Station Homeless Services; and Safe Place for Youth. https://lnkd.in/gqxiHu_r

You may be hearing more about Housing First and homelessness in the news recently. Unfortunately, public conversations often recycle long-debunked myths, making it harder to focus on real causes and real solutions. Understanding the truth is an important step toward creating real, lasting change. Here are some of the most common myths we hear and the realities behind them. 📢 Common Myths — and the Facts ❌ Myth: “Homeless people are dangerous or criminals.” ✅ Reality: People experiencing homelessness are far more likely to be victims of crime than perpetrators. Their lack of safe shelter often makes them targets, not threats. More here: https://lnkd.in/gBPGkPtH ❌ Myth: “Addiction and substance use disorders are the root cause of homelessness.” ✅ Reality: Primary drivers of homelessness are structural—low-paying jobs and the lack of affordable housing. Substance use is more often a consequence of homelessness, not a cause. Watch https://lnkd.in/gkw2GSsZ to learn more. ❌ Myth: “Housing First means no accountability or services.” ✅ Reality: While participation in services like case management or mental health treatment aren’t mandatory in the Housing First model, they’re always available—and research shows people are more likely to engage in services when they have safe, stable housing first. ❌ Myth: “It’s only about housing—nothing else.” ✅ Reality: The Housing First philosophy believes a safe home is the foundation for addressing mental health, physical health, and recovery. It’s the starting point, not the endpoint. More information about Housing First can be found: https://lnkd.in/g3_JV6R4 👉 Dispelling Myths Matters When we refute myths with facts, we make room for compassion, dignity, and evidence-based solutions. Together, we can build communities where everyone has a safe place to call home. If you want to hear more about myths, facts and what steps we as a community can take to help our neighbors experiencing homelessness, join us at our in-person Solution Salon on Sept 25th at 12:30 p.m. More information can be found in our Instagram bio or https://lnkd.in/gHHtXJPD

A Different Perspective on Housing First I recently read an article criticizing Housing First as a failed approach. While I understand the concerns raised, my experience working directly with individuals and families exiting homelessness tells a more complete story. Housing First is not a cure-all — but it does provide a foundation for stability. The challenge isn’t that Housing First “fails,” but that too often, housing is treated as the final step instead of the first one. Without continued case management, trauma-informed care, and community support, people risk falling back into homelessness. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working in nearly every corner of housing stability services: - As Director of Family Shelters and a Respite Program, I oversaw operations, staff, and direct support for families in crisis. - I worked as a housing case manager, including serving as a mobile case manager with Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) clients. - I was trained as a Community Health Worker (CHW), bridging the gap between housing, healthcare, and recovery. - I served as a Resident Services Coordinator for low-income housing, helping residents stabilize and thrive once housed. - And as Director of Clark County’s Coordinated Outreach Program, I oversaw teams going directly into encampments to connect people with housing and vital services. From all of these roles, I’ve seen the same truth: when people have both housing and long-term, trauma-informed support, they don’t just survive — they succeed. That’s why I founded Next Step Housing. Our mission is to ensure that housing is not just the end of homelessness, but the beginning of long-term recovery, stability, and integration into community life. Rather than abandoning Housing First, let’s strengthen it with the supports people truly need. What are your thoughts on Housing First and the importance of retention services in making it truly effective? #HousingFirst #HousingStability #NextStepHousing #TraumaInformedCare #SocialDeterminantsOfHealth Sean Moore

Strategic vision launching now! After a 12-month planning process involving hundreds of stakeholders in Hennepin County, it is with tremendous hope, excitement, and gratitude that I share our community’s new, five-year vision for homelessness prevention. The Countywide Plan for Homelessness Prevention (https://lnkd.in/gTdST4ei) centers disparity elimination and equity, people with lived expertise, and data while translating big ideas into practical, actionable steps forward (even in the midst of the headwinds that our sector is facing right now). The Plan reflects a continued focus on eviction prevention as one critical pillar in a comprehensive prevention strategy, while expanding our vision to include two additional high-risk populations associated with three out of four homelessness episodes: people residing in "precarious housing" (i.e. unstable, temporary housing situations with family/friends or in motels); and people exiting justice and human service systems (i.e. incarceration, hospitals, treatment, and foster care). We at Hennepin County are fully committed to this vision and stewarding it alongside people with lived expertise and community partners. Thrilled for all that is to come in this work! Read the full plan here: https://lnkd.in/gTdST4ei Read the executive summary here: https://lnkd.in/gkQaEceh