Dalton Clark’s Post

Erie County answers the challenge to eradicate homelessness within our borders with outside of the box thinking and cross community collaboration like never before. Our "Streets to Stability" program outlines a no wrong door approach and no one size fits all solution to meet the needs of the unhoused as they are, where they are. Filling gaps in social services to prevent homelessness before it happens. Keeping families and individuals in housing through vouchers, blended case management and workforce training opportunities. The renovation of our community corrections building into a community resilience center providing a place for any individual seeking housing, resources, and other services to obtain stability. The begining of phases of constructing a tiny homes village utilizing labor of trade school programs and students incarcerated at our County prison to teach trade skills for in demand jobs while giving back to society. These ideas among many more are all a part of a long term strategy to address homelessness in Erie County to ensure no resident is faced with losing housing and taking steps backward away from stability. https://lnkd.in/eRQrD8pZ

Sedona takes a groundbreaking step to address vehicular homelessness by approving a program that provides temporary housing in an empty parking lot. The initiative aims to offer safe parking spots for families, workers, and students experiencing housing insecurity in the face of a lack of affordable housing in the area. Rising home prices and increased short-term rentals have worsened housing instability, leaving many workers struggling to find affordable housing. With housing needs assessments revealing a significant shortfall of affordable units in Sedona, this program represents a vital interim solution to address immediate challenges. It prioritizes safety and offers essential amenities such as portable restrooms, trash and recycling bins, and cooking facilities. Managed by the Verde Valley Homeless Coalition, the site provides a crucial lifeline for those in need. A New Leaf applauds the city's proactive approach to support families in our community. The program's implementation underscores the urgent need for affordable housing solutions in Sedona and highlights the complexities of addressing homelessness in tourist-dependent cities. Sedona's efforts to provide temporary housing reflect a commitment to compassion and inclusivity, ensuring that all community members have access to safe and dignified living conditions. https://lnkd.in/gf-R72Hd

CEO William Joshua Drown's Vision for Los Angeles County: A California Dream Realized In a bold and compassionate move, CEO William Joshua Drown envisions transforming Los Angeles County into a beacon of hope, compassion, and opportunity. His multifaceted initiative aims to tackle homelessness, crime, and corruption head-on, with a focus on collaboration, innovation, and community empowerment. The Los Angeles County Homeless Initiative 1. A Self-Funded Dream Team CEO Drown recognizes that solving complex societal issues requires a diverse team of experts. He envisions assembling a non-governmental, no-profit, self-funded task force comprising professionals from various fields: - Military Veterans: Their discipline, resourcefulness, and commitment will be invaluable. - Engineers and Architects To retrofit and remodel existing structures, transforming them into safe havens. - Medical Professionals Providing essential healthcare services to those in need. - Addiction and Mental Health Counselors Addressing underlying issues and offering support. - Construction Experts To revitalize vacant lots and buildings. This dream team will operate independently, unencumbered by bureaucracy, and driven by a shared purpose: to uplift the great people of Los Angeles. 2. Blight Control Project The heart of CEO Drown's vision lies in the Blight Control Project This initiative targets neglected properties—vacant lots, commercial buildings, and residential structures—that mar the cityscape. Instead of allowing them to decay, they will be repurposed. - Vacant Lots: These eyesores will be transformed into community gardens, recreational spaces, or affordable housing. - Commercial Buildings Retrofitted and repurposed as shelters, vocational training centers, or community hubs. - Residential Properties Remodeled and allocated to those in need, providing stability and dignity. 3. The Angels for the Ones Without CEO Drown believes that those who have can become angels for those without. By leveraging existing resources, he envisions a cycle of compassion: -Homeowners and Businesses: Contributing their properties for the greater good. - Volunteers Offering time, skills, and empathy to uplift their fellow Angelenos. - Safe Houses. A network of safe houses will provide immediate refuge for victims of human trafficking and forced slavery. A no-questions-asked response team will swiftly extract them from danger 4. A California Dream Realized CEO William Joshua Drown's vision transcends mere policy—it's a call to action. By uniting the entertainment and business communities, he aims to create a legacy of compassion, resilience, and transformation. Los Angeles, once tarnished by homelessness, crime, and corruption, will rise as the embodiment of the California Dream a place where everyone has a chance to thrive. Let us rally behind this vision, for in the heart of LA, a brighter future awaits.

Minnesota's housing problem hurts us all, even if we don’t see it on a day-to-day basis or live in communities with apparent signs of homelessness. When members of our community live on the streets or lack housing security, taxpayers often pick up the bill, especially for unexpected things. This includes ER visits for individuals experiencing homelessness. But there’s good news. It would take fewer resources to end homelessness than to let it continue. As Shaun Donovan—former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development—explains, "We learned that you could either sustain people in homelessness for $35,000 to $150,000 a year, or you could literally end their homelessness for $13,000 to $25,000 a year." Which sounds better to you? If you agree it’s time to end homelessness in Minnesota, join us at the Start with Home Rally for Affordable Housing on Tuesday, February 20. We’ll stand together and let our elected officials know we want sustained, long-term investment in affordable housing. Find additional details and register for the event by visiting https://lnkd.in/gT94fkWZ.   References: "Frequent Users of Health Services Initiative," The Lewin Group: Karen W. Linkins, PhD; Jennifer J. Brya, MA, PhD; Daniel W. Chandler, PhD, August 2008. "Learning about Homelessness & Health in your Community: A Data Resource Guide," Suzanne Zerger, MA Research Specialist, August 2005.

California’s Big City Mayors are urging state legislators to restore Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) funding in the FY2025 state budget to help us continue addressing homelessness. Let’s tackle the myths and focus on the facts about this vital funding: 1/ Myth: Five rounds of HHAP funding have not reduced homelessness. 🛑 Reality: California’s big cities have used HHAP to create 15,772 shelter beds, nearly 100% full every night. Without these beds, nearly 16,000 more people would be on our streets. 2/ Myth: HHAP funding doesn’t move people from shelter to housing. 🛑 Reality: HHAP has placed 42,215 people into temporary and permanent housing. Cities are using HHAP to support shelters, rental assistance, and permanent housing projects.    3/ Myth: Proposition 1 eliminates the need for future HHAP rounds. 🛑 Reality: Prop 1 funds behavioral health facilities and housing for severe cases. It doesn’t cover emergency shelter or all homeless individuals. HHAP is still crucial for immediate needs.    4/ Myth: Cities haven’t set goals for HHAP funding. 🛑 Reality: California’s 13 largest cities have state-approved plans with aggressive goals to reduce unsheltered homelessness by 16% by 2025, equating to helping 14,000 people get off the street.  5/ Myth: Cities can maintain efforts without HHAP funding. 🛑 Reality: Losing HHAP would be devastating. Many large cities would have to close thousands of emergency shelter beds, pushing more people into homelessness. Bottom line: No HHAP means more people on our streets. 6/ Without HHAP, we risk undoing the progress we’ve made. The Governor’s call for accountability is important and welcomed by Big City Mayors, but eliminating HHAP would absolutely make the homelessness crisis worse across California. 7/ We urge the state to restore $1 billion for HHAP in the budget to help us continue making a difference in the lives of thousands of Californians every single day. There is no more important budget priority for the State of California. #HHAPisHope 

**Innovative Warming Center: A Beacon of Hope in Urban Areas with High Homelessness** In the heart of urban areas, where homelessness and affordable housing crises loom large, an innovative concept is offering a new ray of hope: the modern warming center. Recently developed, this facility stands not just as a shelter, but as a dignified space for those in need, integrating essential services with the comfort of a temporary home. The design of the warming center, as visually captured in a recent hyper-realistic image, showcases a spacious, clean area with several shower stalls, each ensuring privacy and comfort. This feature alone addresses a critical need for personal hygiene among the homeless, a basic necessity often overlooked. Beyond mere sanitation, the center offers a clothing section with racks of neatly organized attire. This empowers individuals to not only maintain personal hygiene but also to present themselves with dignity, be it for job interviews or social interactions. A key aspect of this center's design is its non-restrictive nature. Unlike traditional shelters, it allows people to come and go as they please, respecting their autonomy and choices. This approach recognizes the varied and complex reasons behind homelessness, offering support without unnecessary constraints. Additionally, the center includes a comfortable seating area, symbolizing a cozy, safe space away from the harshness of the streets. Here, individuals can rest, reflect, or engage in quiet social interactions. The inclusion of clean beds and essential toiletries further underlines the center's commitment to providing comprehensive care. The implementation of such centers in areas with high homeless populations or where affordable housing is scarce can be transformative. Not only do they provide immediate relief and resources, but they also stand as a testament to a community's compassion and commitment to addressing homelessness in a humane and effective way. The warming center, therefore, is more than just a physical space. It's a model of how urban communities can come together to create solutions that uphold dignity, foster hope, and offer tangible support to those who need it the most. As cities grapple with the complexities of homelessness, this innovative concept could pave the way for more compassionate and effective approaches.

Friends of City Care, This is Adam Luck, CEO with some quick news to share: 🌟 Point in Time Update 🌟 We're thrilled to share the latest Point in Time (PIT) data from 2024, offering valuable insights into homelessness in our community. The PIT is a comprehensive count conducted annually in cities all across the nation to assess the number of individuals experiencing homelessness on a single night. This critical information helps us understand the scope of the issue and tailor our local response to address it most effectively. Here are three key takeaways from the data: 1. Increased Winter Shelter Beds: Oklahoma City's inventory of emergency shelter beds increased significantly, in large part to the efforts of our friends at Homeless Alliance in opening their 300-bed winter shelter. This underscores our city's commitment to providing immediate relief and warmth to those in need during the coldest seasons. 2. Encampment Decommissioning Project Impact: The Key To Home encampment decommissioning project began offering housing to neighbors living in encampments just a few months before this year's PIT. So while it did not greatly impact our number of folks living unsheltered this year, we should see a marked difference in that number next year. City Care is proud to collaborate with the city and other service providers to create safer, more sustainable living environments for our neighbors for whom housing has been out of reach. 3. Hope for the Future: Overall, we're hopeful as we look ahead to 2025 because we believe the coordinated efforts outlined in the Key To Home initiative and implemented by the city, service providers and philanthropic community will pay off. We anticipate being able to report to you a significant decrease in unsheltered homelessness and an increase in permanent supportive housing units. Together, we're building a brighter future for every individual in our community. Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership in our mission to end homelessness and create lasting change. Let's continue to work towards a more compassionate and inclusive society. #EndHomelessness #CommunityImpact #transformationstartshere #CityCareCares 🏠💙 You can read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/ghQTvXxX

These Bay Area cities are getting $43 million from the state for homeless housingAs we continue to see the devastating effects of homelessness in our communities, it's encouraging to hear that the state is taking action. Bay Area cities are set to receive a whopping $43 million in funding for homeless housing, and we couldn't be happier about it! 💸🏠 This much-needed investment will go towards providing safe and stable housing for those experiencing homelessness, as well as offering support services to help them get back on their feet. It's a step in the right direction towards ending homelessness in our region. 🙌 We applaud the efforts of the state and local governments in addressing this pressing issue. It's a reminder that when we work together, positive change can happen. Let's continue to push for more solutions and support for those in need. ❤️ We also want to recognize the hard work and dedication of the organizations and individuals on the frontlines, tirelessly working towards ending homelessness. Your efforts do not go unnoticed. 🙏 Let's use this momentum to keep the conversation going and raise awareness about homelessness in our communities. Together, we can make a difference. #EndHomelessness #BayAreaStrong #CommunitySupport #HousingForAll

🏠 Addressing Homelessness in Hennepin County: Safeway's Commitment to Action In just two years, Hennepin County has made remarkable strides in reducing chronic homelessness by nearly 36%. This achievement underscores the power of community engagement, substantial investment, and a housing-first approach. At Safeway Home Health Care, we are driven by a mission to not just participate in, but lead the charge in eliminating homelessness in our community. Our approach at Safeway is holistic—addressing not only the need for housing but also the supportive services that ensure long-term stability for the most vulnerable. We are proud to align with initiatives that have proven successful in Hennepin County and are eager to expand our impact. We understand the importance of personalized, comprehensive support, which is why our Housing Stabilization Services (HSS) are designed to meet the unique needs of each individual. Our services include helping individuals navigate the complexities of housing resources, providing direct support through our dedicated case managers, and ensuring every client has the tools needed for sustained independence. 🤝 Join Us in Making a Difference We believe in the power of community and collaboration. If you know someone experiencing homelessness or if you're involved in services that support our mission, we encourage you to refer them to Safeway. Together, we can expand the impact and move closer to ending homelessness in Minnesota. For referrals and more information on how we can work together, please visit our referral page: https://lnkd.in/dzF-WvQi Let's continue to create a future where everyone has a place to call home. Your support and referrals can make a world of difference! #HomelessnessAwareness #SocialImpact #Minnesota #HousingCrisis #CommunitySupport #SafewayHomeHealthCare

Witnessing the progress since Evans Lane's establishment is truly inspiring, sparking enthusiasm for accelerating the deployment of genuinely affordable housing. This streamlined process in 2020 which I was able to participate in, enabled by a state of emergency, begs the question, what if we could always move at this pace? With California facing a significant shortage of homeless shelters, Bay Area lawmakers are pushing forward a bill to fast-track the construction of tiny homes and other temporary shelters statewide. This initiative marks a strategic shift towards providing immediate, life-saving shelter options, a much-needed complement to the long-term goal of affordable housing. The success stories from interim housing, like the transformation seen at Evans Lane, highlight the potential for rapid, impactful solutions to homelessness. Imagine the possibilities if we could maintain this momentum, bringing more people indoors, away from the dangers of street living, into safe, welcoming environments where they can start rebuilding their lives. Incredible indieDwell!