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Challenge perspectives on homelessness by supporting Invisible People’s work. With your help, our journalists uncover the true causes of homelessness to grow support for policies that will end this crisis. Help end homelessness today: https://lnkd.in/d9Xx7pP

Challenge perspectives on homelessness by supporting Invisible People’s work. With your help, our journalists uncover the true causes of homelessness to grow support for policies that will end this crisis. Help end homelessness today: https://lnkd.in/eUPeX5ge

Understanding the State of Homelessness in 2023: This comprehensive resource from the National Alliance to End Homelessness provides vital insights and statistics that help us better comprehend the challenges faced by our unhoused neighbors. It's a call to action and a reminder that our collective efforts are needed more than ever. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gGGRnxyA

If there’s one thing we know about Tulsans, it’s that we show up for each other. Homelessness is a community-wide issue and will require community-based solutions to solve it. The work that A Way Home for Tulsa partner agencies are doing is working to get Tulsans housed, but more of that work is needed, requiring more resources and community commitment to address this critical issue. Learn more about the impact of A Way Home for Tulsa’s work at https://lnkd.in/gBWXVmdY.

Homelessness is one of the most pressing issues facing the country, and without drastic action things are only going to get worse. Our latest blog, "A chance to end homelessness - Glass Door’s Election Asks", spotlights: 💡 How rough sleeping is just the tip of the iceberg 💡 The work that Glass Door delivers to support people experiencing or at risk of homelessness 💡 Our top three asks of the next government, underpinned by data and insights from our front-line services Head to our website to give it a read: https://lnkd.in/ecT2CbFx

In this session, we will hear from OMSSA Members on how to improve homelessness policies at both the micro and macro levels. This includes presentations on: Addressing Shelter-Based Violence Through Adaptations to Service Delivery, Program Policies, and Data Use, Evidence-Based Policy Moves to Shift from Addressing Homelessness to Ending Homelessness, and Using Data to Drive Continuous System Improvement to Advance Reductions in Homelessness. Learn more: https://ow.ly/gsOY50Rji9r

This week’s City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson hearing marked the beginning of Supreme Court case proceedings with life-changing consequences for those we serve—by potentially allowing for unhoused people to be fined or arrested for sleeping outside. We must stand firm in our commitment to protecting our vulnerable unhoused neighbors. Research shows that the solution to the homelessness crisis is creating more affordable housing, not criminalizing homelessness. As we wait for an official ruling to be issued, be sure to read National Alliance to End Homelessness’ brief comparing criminalization as an approach to the homeless crisis with increased investment in homelessness services. Spoiler alert: strengthening homelessness services is the best path towards reaching functional zero on homelessness.

📣As a organisation working on the frontline of the rough sleeping crisis, we need your voice. Let’s make ending homelessness a key focus this General Election. Together, we've seen that with the right solutions can not only manage but prevent and homelessness for good. Now, let's urge future leaders to implement these solutions across the country, and speak up for those who need us most. In the lead up to this election, make this the conversation - with friends, family, or in your community, so that we can finally address rising street homelessness. #MakethistheConvo. Find out more👇 https://lnkd.in/euvRf8Wc

Criminalizing homelessness fails to address its root causes, such as the lack of affordable housing and access to services. Instead, it penalizes individuals who have no alternative but to sleep on the streets. Fining people who can't afford housing only exacerbates their situation, leading to incarceration and further instability. In Grants Pass, with over 600 homeless individuals and only 130 shelter beds, the problem persists. Shelters, like the Gospel Misson in Grants Pass, can pose risks to mental health, promoting religious conversion and unpaid labor. Often there is an adversarial relationship between staff and the clients leaving many with no safe place for shelter. Shelters can pose physical health risks like requiring complete sobriety despite the dangers of a sudden detox for long term substance users. Working at a shelter during the pandemic I saw first hand how quickly illness spreads in such a close environment. Shelters are often unable to accommodate families with more than a few kids making it even more difficult to find resources for a family struggling together. As a dog owner having to say good bye to a pet I love so dearly just isn’t an option. Yet we expect those experiencing homelessness to just give up their pets for a temporary shelter bed that may not be available the next night. Forget the emotional and mental support that pet might bring to them. This law, and others like it, seeks to criminalize an individual experiencing homelessness for their existence. It further ostracizes them from society. This law is cruel. It is an unusual punishment applied exclusively to those experiencing homelessness. Rather than criminalizing individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness, communities should prioritize creating effective programs and policies. The "Housing First" model remains the most effective approach. Expecting someone to improve their mental health, overcome addiction, or address financial struggles while sleeping outside is unrealistic. Stable shelter is a fundamental human necessity. Growing up in poverty I saw first hand how a discriminatory legal system can cause harm; a reality that was reinforced working as a social worker. I hope to continue to advocate for an individuals legal rights regardless of their socioeconomic status. It should not be a crime to sleep in public while homeless. Especially when communities have consistently failed to provide other safe and affordable alternatives.

How do we make the experience of homelessness short? Until we can tackle the root causes of homelessness, we will continue our vital work to make the experience brief. By supporting people to access housing quickly, we prevent prolonged rough sleeping and its harmful effects. Find out more about this key area of our work which support individuals into stable and safe housing: https://ow.ly/2xPz50SrSzl