Homelessness

Bird's eye view of half full parking lot at night.

Safe Parking Programs Help People Access Housing

The safety and stability offered by Safe Parking sites have helped 40 percent of unhoused San Diego residents who accessed these programs get into permanent housing.

March 5, 2025 - Maui Now

Tent covered with camouflage tarp with American flag on front under freeway overpass in California.

Investigation Reveals Just How Badly California’s Homeless Shelters are Failing

Fraud, violence, death, and chaos follow a billion dollar investment in a temporary solution that is proving ineffective.

March 3, 2025 - The Associated Press

Aerial view of downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin at sunset

A Decade of Progress on Homelessness in Milwaukee County

Unlike most U.S. communities, Milwaukee County has managed to make significant progress toward assisting unhoused residents through a Housing First approach.

February 27, 2025 - Governing

Tents set up against fence by unhoused people under freeway overpass in San Francisco, California.

New Book Highlights Human Side of Homelessness Crisis

A San Francisco reporter’s empathetic portrait of unhoused Bay Area residents reminds readers why supportive housing is worth fighting for.

February 24, 2025 - The New Yorker

Multistory apartment building under construction.

Permanent Supportive Housing Providers Face Steep Insurance Hikes

High insurance costs are calling some organizations’ future into question as supportive housing providers struggle to meet their expenses.

February 23, 2025 - Next City

Black and white photo of row of tents set up against fence outdoors.

Trump Wants to Force Homeless People Into ‘Tent Cities.’ Can He?

The president pushed for sweeping crackdowns and the possible internment of people experiencing homelessness. To see what's coming, we should look to what states have already done.

February 21, 2025 - Shelterforce

Tiny home village for unhoused reisdents in Torrance, California.

Tiny House Villages for Addressing Homelessness: An Interview with Yetimoni Kpeebi

One researcher's perspective on the potential of tiny homes and owner-built housing as one tool to fight the housing crisis.

February 20, 2025 - Mark Tirpak

Aerial view of Fremont, California.

Fremont, California Criminalizes Homelessness, “Abetting” Encampments

Non-profits worry the ordinance, which does not explicitly exempt service providers, will have a chilling effect on unhoused residents and those who offer resources.

February 18, 2025 - The Guardian

"No Camping" stencil on concrete.

Why Accuracy in Homelessness Data Matters

Cities have access to tools that can more effectively capture information about unhoused residents and pinpoint what types of resources are needed and where.

February 16, 2025 - Governing

Small encampment with tents and mattress along heating pipe in green forest.

Rural Homelessness Could Be Vastly Underestimated, Study Finds

The annual ‘point in time’ count fails to capture the diverse types of situations experienced by unhoused people in rural communities.

February 13, 2025 - The Daily Yonder

Crane and construction on multi-story buildings in downtown Houston, Texas.

How Houston Can Be a Model for Housing Reform

The city builds more new housing than almost any other and has dramatically reduced homelessness, yet low-income families struggle to find affordable housing.

February 12, 2025 - Urban Edge

Neoclassical United States Treasury building in Washington, D.C.

January Must-Reads: Top 10 Articles From Last Month

How a tidal wave of potential changes at the federal level could throw many programs planners depend on into chaos, a roundup of last year’s zoning stories, and the continuing ripple effects of a landmark Supreme Court case.

February 6, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Multifamily wood-frame buildings under construction in Fork, Utah with sunset sky and mountains in background.

As Housing Crisis Continues, Cities Take New Approaches

How U.S. cities are seeking to diversify their funding sources for housing assistance programs and eliminate barriers to housing construction.

February 4, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

View up at US Department of Housing and Urban Development building in Washington, D.C.

National Housing Group Criticizes Executive Orders

The National Low Income Housing Coalition issued a statement charging that Trump’s executive orders would worsen the housing crisis.

January 27, 2025 - National Low Income Housing Coalition

The historic San Diego City and County Administration Building in Southern California.

San Diego Housing Assistance, Homelessness Programs Facing Major Cuts

Programs supported by federal and state programs are on the brink of losing funding, putting thousands of homeless and at-risk residents in jeopardy.

January 22, 2025 - Governing

Aerial view of statue on top of tall obelisk in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana.

Indianapolis Falls Short of 2018 Goal to End Long-Term Homelessness

The city’s progress in building supportive housing units has not kept up with the rising numbers of residents experiencing homelessness.

January 14, 2025 - Mirror Indy

Milwaukee, Wisconsin city hall at night in winter.

Milwaukee Homelessness Dropped in 2024

Bucking national trends, Milwaukee reduced homelessness in 2024 through Housing First policies and supportive services, but local advocates warn high housing costs will likely lead to an increase in the unhoused population in the coming year.

January 9, 2025 - Wisconsin Public Radio

Omaha, Nebraska skyline at dusk.

Omaha Homeless Services Providers Struggle to Keep Up

With the worst of winter weather ahead, shelter providers say there are not enough beds to meet the rising rate of homelessness in the city.

January 8, 2025 - First Alert 6

National Mall in winter with snow and people walking around, Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

DC Shelters Brace for Extreme Cold

Homeless service providers are conducting outreach to help bring people indoors ahead of a potentially life-threatening winter storm.

January 7, 2025 - Washington 7News

Close-up of white and black NO CAMPING sign on black iron fence.

Nevada Cities Pass Punitive Anti-Homeless Laws

State legislators rejected a proposed bill that would have enshrined a “Homeless Person’s Bill of Rights” in state law.

January 3, 2025 - Nevada Current

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