Category: Global homelessness

Progress in Odense, Denmark; SPARC Report on Race and Homelessness in the US; Free Houses in Kerala, India; and More

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Odense, Denmark Credits Housing First for Reduction in Homelessness

Data from a recent survey shows that over the past two years, the number of people experiencing homelessness in Odense, Denmark, decreased from 173 to 113. Tommy Byrne of Dagbladet Holstebro states that of the 317 people who were housed between 2011 and 2017, over 92% sustained permanent housing. Tom Ronning, Odense’s Housing Strategic Consultant, gives credit to the housing first model for the recent reduction. The municipalities allocate vulnerable residents to 25 percent of the vacant leases outside the waiting list for the non-profit housing associations.

Read the article here. (This article’s original text is in Danish)

SPARC Releases Report on Race and Homelessness in the United States

In September 2016, the US-Based Center for Social Innovation launched SPARC (Supporting Partnerships for Anti-Racist Communities) to understand and respond to racial inequities in homelessness in the U.S. SPARC released its Phase One study findings this week, which highlight and suggest responses to racial inequities in homelessness.

Approximately two-thirds of people experiencing homelessness in SPARC communities were Black (64.7%), while 28.0% were White. 6.9% identified as Hispanic/Latinx. In total 78.3% of people experiencing homelessness were people of color. By comparison, the general population of the U.S. was 73.8% White, 12.4% Black, and 17.2% Hispanic/Latinx.

Read the report here.

On the IGH Hub: Toolkit for Pregnant Women Experiencing Homelessness

St. Mungo’s, in collaboration with the City of Westminster, has developed a toolkit to address the needs of women experiencing homelessness. The toolkit discusses improvement of health and development outcomes for women experiencing homelessness and their babies; the promotion of good practices to assist women with complex social needs; and quality service and a consistent approach to all women experiencing homelessness. In addition, increased support and guidance for staff working this population is encouraged. According to St. Mungo’s and the City of Westminster, there is not robust data on the incidence of pregnancy among women experiencing homelessness.

Find the toolkit here.

More Details Revealed in Plan to Provide Free Houses in Kerala, India

Nidheesh M.K. of Live Mint explores the government’s plans in Kerala, India to build small, 500 sq ft houses for the state’s homeless residents. The state plans to accommodate the homelessness population with the use of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) welfare program. As for housing not eligible to be provided under PMAY assistance, the Kerala government and local governments will join efforts to support the plan financially. The government plans to build about 176,000 free homes throughout 2018 and 2019.

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan told the state assembly that 513,000 people have been identified as beneficiaries of the housing project.

Read the article here.

Orange County United Way Launches Homelessness Initiative

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Orange County United Way launched a new initiative to address homelessness in Orange County, California that will be supported by a leadership council of local business leaders. The effort aims to gather information on the state of county-wide homelessness and identify both short-term and long-term housing solutions. A recent study commissioned by the University of California, Irvine, Orange County United Way and Jamboree Housing Corporation, analyzed homelessness across the county, including contributing factors and cost effectiveness of various solutions to the issue.

“Today in this room, among all of you, is the power to change many lives. I’m just one success story. There are hundreds of others out there waiting to be told” said Robert Morse, a California resident who shared his story of lived experience and recovery from homelessness.

Read the article here.

If there is news you would like to include in a future update, contact us here: http://www.ighomelessness.org/contact

Housing First in Integrated Strategies in the U.K., Housing Support After Incarceration in Australia, and More

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Using Housing First in Integrated Homelessness Strategies

In Using Housing First in Integrated Homelessness Strategies, Nicholas Pleace explores various aspects of the housing first model in the United Kingdom. The report assesses the evidence base for the housing first model and other homelessness services, considering effectiveness and cost-efficiency; analyzes the potential for integration of homelessness prevention strategies; and considers how lessons from various models might be utilized to maximize effectiveness of homelessness services as a whole. Among his findings, Pleace suggests that housing first programs with a greater level of funding, provided on a sustained basis, have shown the greatest success.

Read the report here.

The 2018 Canadian National Conference on Ending Homelessness

The Canadian Alliance on Ending Homelessness (CAEH) expects to gather about 1,000 participants from across Canada at the 2018 National Conference on Ending Homelessness. The conference will feature six focus areas: leadership, planning and practice; indigenous homelessness; women’s homelessness; housing first; A Way Home – Youth Homelessness; Canadian Observatory on Homelessness – Research and Policy. CAEH is inviting proposal submissions for presentations on those topic areas. Registration to attend the conference is open!

Register here.

The Revolving Door Between Homelessness and Imprisonment

Sophie Russell, Research Associate at the University of New South Wales, examines correlations between homelessness and incarceration in Australia. Data from the Australia Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) and the New South Wales Justice Health Survey suggests that while experiencing homelessness increases a person’s risk of imprisonment, imprisonment also increases a person’s chances of experiencing homelessness upon release. According to a 2016-17 annual report from AIHW, the number of people seeking access to homelessness services following release from prison has almost doubled in the past six years. Russell’s conclusions: access to stable housing after serving time in prison is key to ending a cycle of repeat offenses and repeatedly experiencing homelessness.

Read the article here.

Read the full report here.

The Role of Violence in the Lives of Women Experiencing Homelessness

A new report by the D.C. Interagency Council on Homelessness gathers information about the lives of women experiencing homelessness in Washington D.C., USA — specifically the effects of violence on their pathways to homelessness. Michael Alison Chandler of the Washington Post explores its findings.

According to the 2017 D.C. Women’s Needs Assessment Report, three out of four women experiencing homelessness in the city are survivors of violence, with 31% reporting it as the leading factor of their homelessness. Washington D.C. are survivors of violence. Advocates say that implications for improving responses to this population so of women can be drawn from the report, such as providing safe housing and more therapeutic support services.

Read the article here.

If there is news you would like to include in a future update, contact us here: http://www.ighomelessness.org/contact

Depaul Ireland Extends Housing, The Y-Foundation Shares Insight on the Finnish Housing First Model, and More

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Depaul Ireland Extends Housing for Almost 600 People

Evelyn Ring of the Irish Examiner reports on Depaul Ireland’s efforts to more permanently house nearly 600 people experiencing homelessness. CEO of Depaul Ireland, Kerry Anthony, says that the organization wanted to take a different approach to tackling to homelessness, beyond emergency accommodation. Of the 593 people who Depaul provided more suitable accommodation, 419 moved to supported temporary accommodation last year.
“It shows a pathway out, even if it is a complex and flawed one,” said Anthony.

Read the article here.

A Home of Your Own: Housing first and Ending Homelessness in Finland

The Y-Foundation has published a book outlining the country’s successful approach to reducing homelessness. A Home of Your Own: Housing first and Ending Homelessness in Finland includes recent figures of homelessness, strategies behind their efforts, and next steps in continuing to combat homelessness. This book describes the Finnish way of reducing homelessness, the special characteristics of the Finnish Housing First model, and its differences in comparison to the American Pathways Housing First model. It also gives voice to those with lived experience of homelessness who are now permanently housed because of the housing first approach.

Read the report here.

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The State of Street Homelessness in Londrina, Brazil

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Bonde explores the state of street homelessness in Londrina, Brazil. According to the technical-administrative advisor of the Municipal Department of Social Assistance, Priscila Brazão, there are an estimated 500 people experiencing street homelessness in Londrina, most prevalent among men age 18 to 39. Agencies throughout the city are joining together in an effort to conduct a count to obtain the most current measures.

Read the article here. (This article’s original text is in Portuguese)

Centering Youth of Color and LGBTQ Young People in Efforts to End Homelessness

“When we understand who experiences homelessness, we are led beyond the question of what scale of response is needed to end youth homelessness,” said Megan Gibbard Kline, Director at A Way Home America. Data from the Chaplin Hall’s Voices of Youth Count Initiative suggests that African American and Latino youth have a higher risk of experiencing homelessness. Analyzing the groups who are most vulnerable to homelessness can improve prevention efforts – allowing leaders and service providers to evaluate programs to ensure they meet the needs of such groups. This may mean considering the most vulnerable groups first when formulating solutions.

Read the article here.

If there is news you would like to include in a future update, contact us here: http://www.ighomelessness.org/contact

Homelessness and Internet Cafés in Tokyo, Meters to Fund Outreach in Los Angeles, Consultation on Youth Homelessness in Canada, and More

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“Internet Café Refugees” in Tokyo, Japan

Sakura Murakami of the Japan Times explores the findings of a recent survey on homelessness conducted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. The survey, conducted from November 2016 through January 2017, probed 502 24-hour internet and manga cafes in Tokyo and the customers that occupy them. According to the findings, of the 15,000 people who occupy the cafes during the week, about 4,000 are experiencing homelessness and use the cafes as a means of shelter. Metropolitan government spokesperson, Hiroyo Watabe, suggests that the high number of people in their 30s experiencing street homelessness may be the result of the 2008 global financial crisis, while the large number of middle-aged people captured within the survey may have a difficulty finding employment.

Read the article here.

New Meters in L.A.’s Grand Park Will Fund Homelessness Outreach

“This is a way for people to give. And it’s going to be right before them when they’re walking down the street,” said Councilman Jose Huizar. Emily Alpert Reyes reports on a new effort to support homelessness outreach work across Los Angeles, California. A number of machines, that resemble parking meters, are being installed across L.A. to collect donations to support the City County Community program. In addition to the donations given from local residents and visitors, the meters will generate money through sponsorships that cost $3,500 annually.

Read the article here.

Rough Sleeping in Watford, England Decreased By Half

Findings from the most recent point-in-time count conducted by Watford Borough Council, New Hope, and Homeless Link, indicate that rough sleeping has reduced in Watford since last year. Councilor Peter Taylor attributes the stable decline to collaborative efforts among local leaders and service providers. In particular, the Watford Strategic Homelessness Forum was assembled for the exchange of knowledge about homelessness and solutions to drive reductions.

Read the article here.

Seoul City, South Korea Reports 82% of Those Who Received Temporary Housing Support Still Housed

According to Notched News, over 1,000 people experiencing homelessness received temporary housing support from Seoul City in 2017. Yang Seungjin reports that of these, 82% have maintained stable housing since the end of their six-month housing support period. In addition, the city provided public and private jobs to about 239 people.

Read the article here. (This article’s original text is in Korean)

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Learning From Youth with Lived Experience of Homelessness in Canada

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In the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness’ (COH) latest blog, Kaitlin Schwan, shares takeaways from Canada’s national consultation on youth homelessness prevention. The consultation sought to help determine what it would take to prevent homelessness and how to get there. Over the past six months, A Way Home Canada, COH, and other Canadian agencies joined efforts to gain insights from young people with lived experience of homelessness. Taking a proactive approach to homelessness among young people and addressing shortcomings across public systems — education, welfare, and healthcare — were two findings from the consultation.

Read the blog post here.

If there is news you would like to include in a future update, contact us here: http://www.ighomelessness.org/contact

The State of Homelessness in Hong Kong and San Diego, California and Bridging Health and Homelessness in Chicago

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Homelessness in Hong Kong

Wyman Ma and Chermaine Lee of Reuters discuss rising homelessness in Hong Kong. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the local government estimate over 1,000 people experiencing street homelessness, an increase compared to previous years. According to the article, the cost of living is being explored as a significant factor affecting this rise. Hong Kong reportedly has short-term solutions to the issue – temporary accommodation accompanied by support services from social workers to help move people into permanent housing.

Read the article here.

San Diego Annual Homelessness Count

Last week, more than 1,600 volunteers gathered in San Diego County to begin the annual point in time count of people experiencing homelessness. This data will be used by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to help determine funding for programs aimed at driving homelessness reduction. According to San Diego Tribune reporters, there is some indication that street homelessness in some areas may have declined however, official data is not expected to be released until Spring of this year.

Read the article here.

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A Bridge Between Health and Homelessness in Chicago

Adele Peters explores a pilot program in Chicago aimed at providing supportive housing to emergency room “super users”. People experiencing homelessness spend many nights in local emergency rooms (ER) – sometimes in response to illness or medical conditions, and other times to avoid sleeping outside, especially during harsh winters. Glenn Baker used to spend as many as 20 nights a month in Chicago ERs. Now, he has seen an improvement in his health and is visiting the hospital much less since being housed through the University of Illinois Hospital and the nonprofit Center for Housing and Health’s Better Health Through Housing Program. Based on research, the Center predicts that the program will drive health improvements among those experiencing homelessness – addressing hospitals’ growing focus on community – and healthcare cost savings.

Read the article here.

If there is news you would like to include in a future update, contact us here: http://www.ighomelessness.org/contact

The Canadian Observatory on Homelessness Introduces an Intervention Guide for Youth Homelessness, Canadian Cities Increase Their Focus on Permanent Housing, and More

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Mental Health & Addictions Interventions for Youth Experiencing Homelessness: Practical Strategies for Front-line Providers

According to the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, issues surrounding mental health and addition can increase young people’s risk of experiencing chronic homelessness. Service systems and providers in many settings aren’t adequately equipped and resourced to meet the needs of the youth population. This book serves as an intervention guide to direct service providers on how to intervene more effectively with youth who have experienced homelessness. With this book, an internationally recognized group of leading academics and practitioners attempt to address a gap in youth homelessness.

Read the E-book here.

Canadian Cities Increase Their Focus on Permanent Housing

The Canadian Press explores a shift in solutions to homelessness in some Canadian cities. Cities such as Edmonton, Montreal, and Hamilton have moved from a focus on temporarily accommodating people experiencing homelessness to permanently housing them – and credit this approach for reductions in shelter and street homelessness. CEOs of organizations like Old Brewery Mission in Montreal and Homeward Trust in Edmonton reflect on progress made through housing-first programs.

“We can’t just continue to provide overnight shelter and meals and showers and change of clothes. As critical as those services are, if that’s where we stop, we are aiding and abetting homelessness, ” said chief executive officer of the Old Brewery Mission in Montreal, Matthew Pearce.

Read the article here.

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Reevaluating Requirements for Access to Shelter in India

An opinion piece in The Telegraph India argues that in order to effectively implement any measure to address homelessness in India, the state needs to formally acknowledge people who are homeless. The piece highlights obstacles posed by the lack of identity papers in the absence of proof of residence for people who live on the street, which renders them “invisible” during planning for welfare and shelter responses. Figures on the total homeless population in India range from 1.77 million, an estimate from the census of 2011, to 3.7 million, according to the office of the Supreme Court commissioner.

Read the article here.

Hawaii Legislation to Prioritize Homelessness and Housing

According to Audrey McAvoy of the Houston Chronicle, Hawaii state legislature is expected to prioritize solutions to homelessness and housing shortages in their legislative session this week. House Speaker Scott Saiki stated that although homelessness and lack of housing are complex issues, House members are aware that such issues are priorities that they are prepared to address this year. In addition to creating more transitional centers, Governor David Ige said his administration is requesting $100 million in spending for capital improvement projects to support the construction of affordable and rental housing.

Read the article here.

If there is news you would like to include in a future update, contact us here: http://www.ighomelessness.org/contact

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Announces Funding Awards, Expanded Evidence on Housing and Healthcare, and More

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Bridging the Gap Between Housing and Healthcare in the U.S.

Politico explores a four-year effort to demonstrate how permanent housing can alleviate costly health care visits among people who had been chronically homeless in Houston, Texas. Allan Clifton shares his story of health improvements and reduced visits to emergency care after being permanently housed through the project. The author suggests that if the approach proves to be cost effective, other states could benefit from the same strategy.

Read the article here.

For more stories out this month exploring the connection between healthcare and housing, see:

Guardian and Observer Raise Over £1.5m for Homeless Services in the U.K.

More than 15,000 Guardian and Observer readers donated to their 2017 charity appeal, raising over £1.5m for the third consecutive year. The funds will be distributed to three United Kingdom organizations: Centrepoint, Depaul UK, and the No Accommodation Network (Naccom). Centrepoint and Naccom intend to use donations toward developing their work to provide shelter and support services to various groups experiencing homelessness, while Depaul UK plans to promote and expand its Nightstop network, which organizes more than 600 volunteer hosts across the UK who regularly open up their spare rooms to provide short stay emergency shelter for homeless young people.

“This is an incredible sum to have raised. On behalf of all the young homeless we work with, I would like to thank everyone who has donated for their great kindness,” said Ian Brady, Depaul UK’s interim chief executive.

Read the article here.

The Youth Assessment Prioritization (YAP) Tool

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Kathleen Burns of the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness provides an overview of a new tool that helps workers in the homelessness service sector make guided decisions to prevent youth homelessness. The Youth Assessment Prioritization (YAP) Tool is a strength-based assessment of youth experiencing or at-risk of experiencing homelessness. The tool aims to determine the level of risk of long-term homelessness that the youth is facing, as well as identifying their positive attributes, skills, and goals. The three communities participating in the Making the Shift project will use the YAP tool to assist in facilitating their intake, assessment, and referral processes.

Read the blog here.

HUD Awards $2 Billion to Homelessness Programs Across the U.S.

This week, Secretary Ben Carson announced that The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded over two billion dollars to support over 7,300 local homelessness assistance programs across the county. HUD’s Continuum of Care funding supports a broad array of initiatives designed to assist individuals and families experiencing homelessness, particularly those living on the street or relying on temporary accommodation.

“We know how to end homelessness and it starts with embracing a housing-first approach that relies upon proven strategies that offer permanent housing solutions to those who may otherwise be living in our shelters and on our streets,” stated Carson.

Read the release from HUD here. Read comments on HUD’s award by Matthew Doherty, Executive Director of the US Interagency Council on Homelessness, here.

If there is news you would like to include in a future update, contact us here: http://www.ighomelessness.org/contact

The Urban Institute Discusses Housing Assistance, Pathways to Housing PA Addresses the Opioid Epidemic, and More

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Benefits of Expanding Housing Assistance

Housing assistance plays a significant role in stabilizing low-income households and helping them progress. However, only one in five eligible renters receive the assistance they need. On the Urban Institute’s Urban Wire blog, Susan J. Popkin, Samantha Batko, and Corianne Scally suggest that proposed reductions in federal funding for public housing are likely to increase low-income households’ risk of experiencing homelessness. Instead, the authors suggest the government and homelessness sector expand the evidence on effective and ineffective housing policies and place the concern of the households in need at the forefront.

Read the article here.

A Housing First Model to Combat the Opioid Epidemic in the U.S​.​

Christine Simiriglia, President and CEO of Pathways to Housing PA in Pennsylvania, USA, discusses a housing first-based solution to the opioid crisis among people experiencing homelessness in a guest blog post for the National Alliance to End Homelessness. To address the epidemic, Pathways combines a traditional housing first model with new strategies in street outreach, such as overdose treatment disbursement and training, and immediate access to Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT). As Simiriglia reports, permanent housing paired with treatment services breaks the cycle of relapse and eliminates barriers to MAT.

Read the article here.

UK Government’s Unique Plan to Help Fund Homelessness Reduction

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In the UK, bank accounts that are open for 15 years without activity and a contactable holder are considered dormant. Ashley Cowburn of The Independent reports the government plans to use over 100 million pounds from dormant accounts across the U.K. for homelessness reduction initiatives. “This is part of the Government’s commitment to building a fairer society and tackling the social injustices that hold people back from achieving their full potential,” said Tracey Crouch, minister for sport and civil society.

Read the article here.

Delhi’s Plan to Help Those Experiencing Homelessness Escape Freezing Temperatures

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced the expansion of shelters to allow for more people experiencing homelessness to escape freezing temperatures. According to officials, there have been no reported deaths due to the weather since winter began. The Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board urges people to call their control room or use the Rain Basera mobile app to share the locations of people living on the street for someone to assist them.

Read the article here.

If there is news you would like to include in a future update, contact us here: http://www.ighomelessness.org/contact

The UK-based Centre for Homelessness Impact Announces 2018 Launch, and Registration Opens for the NAEH Conference on Ending Family and Youth Homelessness

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The New Centre for Homelessness Impact to Launch Spring 2018

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The UK-based Centre for Homelessness Impact is off the ground! The Centre will be headed by Dr Lígia Teixeira, formerly Head of Research and Evaluation at Crisis. The Centre is taking on the task of assessing and utilizing research, a sometimes challenging task for policy-makers, commissioners, and practitioners, to help drive solutions to homelessness. As a long term goal, Teixeira and her colleagues hope to ensure that robust evidence be embedded in the design and implementation of homelessness policy. They look forward to fully launch the New Centre in spring of 2018.

“Careful research and evaluation may not end homelessness on its own, but we believe it has a crucial role to play in responding to this challenge, and increasing the effectiveness of policy making and practice,” stated Teixeira.

Read the blog here.

2018 National Conference on Ending Family and Youth Homelessness

The National Alliance to End Homelessness invites you to register for its 2018 National Conference on Ending Family and Youth Homelessness – taking place March 1-2, 2018. It will be held at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites in Los Angeles, California. The conference will provide a combination of expert presentations, panel discussions, interactive learning sessions, and networking opportunities.

Register here.

If there is news you would like to include in a future update, contact us here: http://www.ighomelessness.org/contact

Street Homelessness in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Homeless Link Convenes on Housing First in England, and Three Cities Join World Habitat’s Campaign

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Rising Street Homelessness in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

In this Dec. 8, 2017 photo, a homeless man sits on a bench after sleeping there in the port area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Many shun shelters because they often have strict rules and, by the city’s own acknowledgement, have fallen into disrepair, with infestations of bugs and filthy bathrooms. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

As stated in Al Jazeera, there are a reported 15,000 people living on the streets in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, more than triple the number in 2014. The article sites economic hardship leading to an influx of people experiencing homelessness, following the city’s hosting of the Olympic Games. Many people migrated from other states to find employment from the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Rio Olympics and subsequently lost their jobs.

“We have never had such a large number in the streets,” stated Rio’s secretary of social assistance and human rights, Pedro Fernandes. The city is making efforts to improve temporary accommodation and encourage utilization.

Read the article here.

The Housing First National Conference

Homeless Link has opened registration to attend the Housing First National Conference in London. It will take place on Wednesday, February 28, 2018, from 10 a.m. until 4:15 p.m. In conjunction with their Housing First England Project, the purpose of the event is to examine what has been effective; what challenges have been faced and how to overcome them; and how to capture and utilize service impact to draw in funding and meet commissioning requirements. Homeless Link is calling on homelessness service providers across England to consider delivering housing first to meet the requirements of their local communities. Research has shown that people are more likely to sustain permanent housing and progress in other aspects of their lives when given a stable home and intensive, open-ended support.

Find out more here.

Three New Cities Join the European End Street Homelessness Campaign

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Late last month, cities participating in the European End Street Homelessness Campaign convened to to share their ongoing journey to end street homelessness in their cities. In addition, three European cities – Athens, Bratislava and Sheffield – formally joined the initiative. According to World Habitat, while each city faces unique challenges, a shared challenge is the lack of efficient responses and resources to drive reductions in homelessness. Economic downturn in Greece plays a factor in the state of homelessness in Athens, while Bratislava has struggled to define homelessness locally. Sheffield faces an increasing number of people experiencing homelessness. World Habitat welcomed the cities to the initiative by highlighting the importance of hope: “each city brings vastly different contexts but share the belief that change is possible”.

Read the article here.

If there is news you would like to include in a future update, contact us here: http://www.ighomelessness.org/contact