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Two cities tried to fix homelessness, only one succeeded

Audrey Jensen Jill Ryan Chloe Jones Madeline Ackley

December 14, 2020 |

Cronkite News - Arizona PBS |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Houston, Texas

Houston's effort to significantly decrease homelessness was successful due to the overhaul of its previous system which was disjointed, had too many services gaps, and often duplicated services. The new system provides concerted and seamless services in line with the Housing First principles. San Diego's lack of a cohesive plan to carry out the Housing First strategy has left it a lot less effective.

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Housing in Uncertain Times

Chris Rudisill

December 11, 2020 |

QNotes Carolinas |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Charlotte, North Carolina

Time Out Youth Center (TOY) provides housing support for LGBTQ youth ages 18-24, though youth as young as 11 can access some of the organization’s services. The Host Home Program matches youth with individuals or a family where they can live for up to 90 days. While in the transitional housing program, TOY checks in weekly and provides groceries and transportation. The youth must apply to jobs every day, a minimum of 10 for unemployed youth and 4-6 for those working part-time. As they exit the program, they complete a basic skills course where they learn things like how to read a lease and pay rent on time.

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Give Us a Chance

Jan Novotný

December 09, 2020 |

Euro |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Czech Republic, Jihlava

After a Housing First program in Brno, the Czech Republic's second-largest city, stabilized families' housing and health status, the city of Jihlava used local and European Union money, plus a charity's services, for a two-year pilot to provide subsidized apartments and social services to a dozen families. Nationwide, EU-supported Housing First projects have found housing for about 400 people in 16 cities. Though often opposed as a giveaway, the programs both longer-term and in the pilot phase have shown that after a family is housed, the resulting stability helps set them up to solve many other problems.

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Once derided as ‘shacks,' these huts now may be our best answer for a homelessness emergency

Danny Westneat

November 27, 2020 |

The Seattle Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Seattle, Washington

Tiny homes are providing shelter, warmth, and security for people experiencing homelessness in Seattle. The insulated homes measure 96 square feet and offer a relatively affordable alternative to tent encampments which leave inhabitants exposed to the elements and often draw the anger of neighbors. Tiny homes in Seattle have led to higher rates of permanent rehousing.

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‘It's a conversation': Philly's alternative to landlord-tenant court is preventing eviction

Taylor Allen

November 24, 2020 |

WHYY |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia's mandatory Eviction Diversion program, started as a way to help landlords and tenants to cope with pandemic-related economic struggles, requires landlords to enter mediation with tenants who are behind on their rent. By skipping eviction court, the parties can work out repayment plans and tenants can gain access to rental-assistance programs. Mediated agreements avoid a legal judgment that would hurt a tenant's credit and make it difficult to find another place to live, while preventing evictions during the pandemic reduces homelessness.

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Social distancing is a luxury many can't afford. Vermont actually did something about it.

Julia Belluz

November 19, 2020 |

Vox |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Vermont

The state of Vermont has been able to keep COVID-19 cases to a minimal, at least in part by focusing on offering preventive protections for the most at-risk and vulnerable – such as the unhoused. The state's response has included "state-supported housing for the homeless, hazard pay, meal deliveries, and free, pop-up testing in at-risk communities," all of which prioritize high-risk populations rather than those who can easily self-isolate at home.

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Swords to Plowshares Providing In-Person Veterans Services During Pandemic

Lauren Wenus

November 12, 2020 |

San Francisco Public Press |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

A drastic decrease in homelessness among veterans in San Francisco has been credited to the efforts of Swords to Plowshares, which is a veterans services group. Wraparound services helped veterans find temporary housing, permanent housing, mental health services, and help finding jobs.

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Veteran homelessness in Chittenden County has dropped significantly. Here's what it took.

Ethan Bakuli

November 11, 2020 |

USA Today |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Winooski, Vermont

Canal Street Veterans Housing was instrumental in ending veteran homelessness in Chittenden County, Vermont. The program provided two years of transitional housing for veterans and their families, job training services, and mental health care. An emphasis was put on providing mental and physical health screenings to help those dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.

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Where Housing, Not Jails, Is the Answer to Homelessness

Sarah McClure

November 09, 2020 |

70 Million |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

Even while Los Angeles police criminalize homelessness with "sweeps" to clear encampments from public property, state and local programs have helped thousands of people find housing and receive services like counseling and criminal record expungement. Programs like LA DOOR and Project Roomkey use public-health and housing-first approaches to address people's underlying problems rather than subject them to endless cycles of arrest and incarceration, all of which cost far more than the helpful strategies while remaining far less effective. Street outreach is done without police escorts, to build trust.

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Unhoused: Status Quo

Emma Athena

November 05, 2020 |

Boulder Weekly |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Boulder County, Colorado

Housing First has successfully been implemented in cities across the world to reduce the number of people sleeping on the streets but in Boulder County, the approach has not been nearly as effective. The lack of affordable housing has resulted in just a small percentage of unhoused people accessing a place to live, while services for those who do not make the cut have been drastically reduced. While plans to create more affordable housing are in place, the Housing First approach in Boulder County has led to a reduction in homelessness services and only one homeless shelter stands.

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