Homelessness

The Blue State Problem
The New York Times and Last Week Tonight With John Oliver have a message for progressives living in liberal cities in Blue States: you're part of the problem.

Minor Defendants: Kids Are Being Named in Evictions
Absurd as it may sound, minor children are sometimes named in eviction filings. If a child’s name makes in onto official court records—especially if those records are public and online—the damage can be irreversible.

D.C.'s Housing and Homelessness Crises Are Two Sides of the Same Coin
To reduce homelessness, advocates say, build more affordable housing.

Poll: Housing and Homelessness Most Pressing Concerns for Urban Residents
Results show rising housing costs and housing insecurity have become top issues for residents of major cities across the country.

A 'Tiny Home Village' Grows in Los Angeles
The complex can house over 200 people and will provide bathrooms and social services for people transitioning out of homelessness.

Opinion: Keep Public Toilets at L.A. Homeless Encampments
The city is planning to remove the hundreds of public toilets and hand-washing stations installed during the pandemic. But the need for them isn't going away.

Austin Selects Two Potential Sites for Sanctioned Encampments
The city plans to install temporary housing and facilities as part of its efforts to reduce homelessness and help people move into permanent housing.

Study: Housing First is a Success in Denver
Results from five years of Denver's Supportive Housing Social Impact Bond Initiative show that people and communities benefit from a 'Housing First' approach to homelessness.

New Homeless Plan for D.C. Aims for Post-Pandemic Reset
Washington, D.C. is looking to build on some past success, and recover from some setbacks, with the adoption of a new plan to address homelessness called Homeward 2.0.

New York Lags Behind California in Converting Hotels to Affordable Housing
While the Golden State has awarded $800 million in funds for 'Project Roomkey,' a bill passed by the New York State Senate languishes in the governor's office.

When It Comes to Ending Homelessness, What Does 'Functional Zero' Really Mean?
"The idea of the word ‘functional’ in front of ‘zero’ is a reaction to the misperception that ending homelessness means no one ever experiences homelessness again."

Oregon's Version of Project Roomkey Offers Housing to Those Who Lost Homes to Wildfires
The program funds the purchase of hotels for housing people experiencing homelessness as housing costs in the state continue to rise.

Supportive Housing Bridging Venice Canals Granted Planning Commission Approval in L.A.
The mixed-use Reese Davidson Community will include 140 housing units, commercial space, and a performance space.

Homeless New Yorkers Lead a Push for Better Rental Vouchers
Until recently, New York City's local housing vouchers only covered about $1,250 in rent; the median rent on a NYC apartment is $2,600. Activism from current and formerly homeless New Yorkers helped change that.

FEMA Offers Full Reimbursement for Pandemic Shelter Costs—But Cities Are Still Jittery
Cities and counties have been slow to take advantage of the promise of full and retroactive FEMA reimbursement to expand emergency housing programs, frustrating housing advocates. What’s getting in the way?

Homelessness During the Pandemic
A comic strip illustrates the humans behind remarkable resilience in the face of incredible risks.

Austin Casts a Controversial Vote on Public Camping as the City Faces Growing Pains
Voters in Austin voted to reinstate a ban on public camping, taking steps to criminalize homelessness before the State Legislature could.

Texas Legislature Would Preempt Local Law to Ban Homeless Encampments
The state of Texas and the city of Austin are moving in opposite directions on how best to respond to the needs of people experiencing homelessness.

Unpermitted RV Park Faces Code Enforcement Pressure in Oakland
A controversy over the unpermitted use of RVs for shelter on an otherwise empty lot in West Oakland reveals a confluence of Bay Area housing crises.

Judge Presses Pause on Controversial Skid Row Housing Order
A 60-day grace period and some additional contingencies have been added to a court order for the city and county of Los Angeles to provide shelter or housing to the thousands of people experiencing homelessness on Skid Row in Downtown Los Angeles.
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