Deanne Dixon’s Post

“A life well lived”: “ Please talk up the need for a national youth homelessness strategy; Be the voice for those 136,000 young ( homeless) people ( aged 16-24) because; They deserve to have a life well lived in which they can fulfil their potential & realise their dreams hopes & aspirations” Paula Barker MP Debate in House of Commons on youth homelessness in UK - 1/5/2024 Powerful summing up from Ms Barker as to why in the run up to the General Election she wants us to talk about youth homelessness which with rough sleeping she points out “ was practically eradicated “ by the time that the last Labour Government fell in 2010. As Ms Barker said Homelessness is “ multifaceted “ : there are 112 k households & 145k children in temporary accommodation caused by poverty ; trauma; leaving care; leaving prison; being a victim of domestic abuse etc and those affected include “women; young people; those who define as LGBTQ+ veterans; prison leavers and many more so the solutions need to be multifaceted. In other words there’s no one size fits all solution … so I thought I’d share my “ takeaways” on how the strategies behind the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 ( a Tory statute) when combined with the Labour introduced Empty Property Management Legislation could be used over the next 14 years to eradicate homelessness in the UK back to its correct level ie “Zero” Watch this space …..

Plymouth Stories: Sedriece, a queer nonbinary (biracial) person of color, is a learning and development specialist at Plymouth. Sedriece helps to train our employees so that we can support our most vulnerable community members as they exit homelessness. We proudly celebrate Sedriece on International Non-Binary People's Day! "Growing up, I never fit in the box quite right: not white or black enough; never feeling quite right as a girl, while knowing that I wasn't a boy. As I have gotten older, I have grown to become a person younger me never would have dreamed of—but would be in awe of. Am I exactly where I want to be? Of course not. But I can honestly say that I know who I am: I celebrate that I don’t quite fit in those boxes perfectly. It is essential to recognize and address the unique challenges faced by LGBTQIA2+ individuals—especially in housing—both as residents and workers. We have so much to give and to share. We exist and we aren’t going anywhere. I love working for Plymouth Housing because I am passionate about advocating for those who are often seen as less than human. Plymouth’s commitment to affordable housing resonates with my values of equity and social justice. It’s not just about providing a roof over someone’s head. It’s about fostering a sense of community, belonging, and dignity. Working here allows me to be part of a larger mission—a mission that goes beyond the bricks and mortar of housing. We do this work because we care about building a more compassionate, inclusive society where everyone has a place to call home." [ #PlymouthStories: A series that illuminates the shared humanity of people impacted by homelessness. Each story features a Plymouth Housing staff member, resident, or supporter. ]

The Home Secretary Suella Braverman continues her pattern of dehumanising the most vulnerable in our society. Her referring to homeless people as "living on the streets as a lifestyle choice" is the latest troubling statement. She needs a lesson in the realities of homelessness: - It is a complex societal issue requiring nuanced solutions, not criminalisation. - The causes are varied and often out of people's control. Blaming issues like crime and drug use solely on the visibility of the homeless ignores broader factors like inequality and lack of healthcare access that drive these problems. - Comparing UK cities to US ones with much larger homeless populations seems hyperbolic and factually incorrect. The scale is vastly different. - Effective solutions require investing in mental health services, affordable housing, addiction treatment, job training programs - not policing. Of course, the Home Secretary knows all this. But she continues to swing at the most vulnerable rather than lead with compassion. Additionally, research shows LGBTQ+ individuals face disproportionately high rates of homelessness. Nearly 1 in 5 LGBTQ+ people experience homelessness at some point, with even higher rates among transgender people. Demonising tents punishes those already suffering. We need policies lifting people up, not criminalisation that kicks them while they're down. The Home Secretary should reflect on how to truly solve this crisis with her cabinet and party colleagues based on expert advice from Homelessness charities.

Homelessness is not simply a consequence of personal failure but a symptom of a deeply flawed housing system that prioritizes profit over people, resulting in a severe lack of stable, affordable housing that meets people's needs. Black, Indigenous, and Brown communities — along with young people, disabled people, seniors, and LGBTQ+ people — are disproportionately affected by housing insecurity and homelessness. A stark reminder of the historical and structural inequities that underlie our society, the court’s ruling will subject the most burdened among us to further harm and indignity. “Housing is a basic human need and an American civil right. What a shame to relitigate victories already won on behalf of all people. This decision underscores the urgent need for housing policy and strategies to ensure that everyone is safely housed, equally protected, and able to thrive.” Read the full statement here: https://lnkd.in/g5m-TwcT #HousingJustice #SupremeCourtRuling #HousingFutures #Homelessness

I was contemplating the power of SCOTUS with these new decisions to claim themselves the experts on environmental matters and to criminalized poverty, mental illness, physical health bankruptcy, through the decision to allow municipalities to make houselessness and sleeping in public spaces illegal. The more power they have, the more power they take. More municipalities need to find ways to better care for the most marginalized instead of adding insult to injury through fines, fees, and incarceration. When deciders (those in power) use a racial equity analysis (lens) to make decisions, they are better equipped to center the most vulnerable, the ones they listen to least, and the ones most negatively impacted, SOULutions are found for all to benefit. My ask is of elected officials everywhere. Find humane SOULutions to the houselessness crisis. Don't further traumatized and harm those who are already living without safe, affordable, and supportive housing. #findSOULutions #Housingiasbasichumanneed

🏠 Addressing Homelessness in California: Advocating for Vulnerable Communities 🌟 Hello LinkedIn community, I hope this post finds you well. Today, I want to shed light on a pressing issue that affects countless individuals and families in our beloved state of California: homelessness. It is a complex problem that demands our attention and collective action. Homelessness knows no boundaries and impacts a wide range of vulnerable groups, including veterans, youth, families, and the LGBTQ+ community. It is a stark reminder of the systemic challenges we face in providing affordable housing, mental health support, and access to essential services. As we strive for progress, it is crucial to recognize the interconnectedness of these issues and work towards comprehensive solutions. We must advocate for policies that prioritize affordable housing initiatives, increase funding for mental health services, and strengthen support systems for those experiencing homelessness. But it doesn't stop there. We can all make a difference by supporting local organizations and initiatives that provide shelter, food, and resources to those in need. Volunteering our time, donating to relevant causes, or even simply raising awareness can have a profound impact on the lives of individuals experiencing homelessness. Let's come together as a community to address this crisis. By fostering empathy, understanding, and collaboration, we can create a California where everyone has a safe and stable place to call home. If you are passionate about this issue or have ideas to share, I encourage you to comment below and let's start a conversation. Together, we can make a difference and build a brighter future for all. #Homelessness #California #CommunityAction #SocialImpact #AffordableHousing #MentalHealthSupport #TogetherWeCanMakeADifference

Revisiting the homeless situation in Salt Lake City and the role of The Black Flag Project, a critical assessment of the city's policies highlights some gaps. While the city has made efforts with its expanded care and affordable housing investments, there remains a pressing need for more innovative and inclusive solutions, particularly for the most marginalized and vulnerable groups, including LGBTQ+, Jewish, poor, unhoused, or otherwise marginalized individuals【78†source】【94†source】【95†source】. The Black Flag Project stands out in its approach. Driven by the principle of personal autonomy, as outlined in its bylaws, the project emphasizes individual freedom and responsibility, underscoring a unique and necessary perspective in addressing homelessness【85†source】【96†source】. The project's founder, Brandon Michael Jeanpierre, emphasizes a think tank approach to drive solutions, ensuring that all proposals are peer-reviewed and fact-based, adhering to the highest standards of evidence and ethical considerations【86†source】【88†source】【89†source】. However, a significant challenge facing The Black Flag Project is the lack of funding. Without the necessary financial support, the project's potential to complement and enhance the city's existing efforts remains unrealized. This highlights a critical gap in the community's response to homelessness – the need for innovative, community-driven solutions that are adequately supported and funded. In conclusion, while Salt Lake City's policies towards homelessness are a step in the right direction, there is a clear need for additional, innovative approaches like The Black Flag Project. These initiatives, however, require adequate funding and community support to truly make a difference.

🚨 Big News! 🚨 We are so excited to share that NPHY has secured an $800,000 federal grant from HUD to create systemic change for young people experiencing homelessness across Nevada. 🎉 This grant will enable NPHY to lead a project focused on elevating youth voices statewide and developing the first-ever NEVADA Plan to End Youth Homelessness. We are the only organization in Nevada to receive part of the $51 million HUD Youth Homelessness System Improvement (YHSI) grants. This significant funding highlights Nevada's growing need for effective solutions to youth homelessness. Through this funding, we will manage and lead the statewide effort to achieve the project’s goals of creating and strengthening Youth Action Boards (YABs) in both Northern and Southern Nevada. Specific activities under the grant include: • Creating a Northern Nevada Youth Action Board in Washoe County, in partnership with Eddy House • Expanding and enhancing the Southern Nevada Youth Action Board in Clark County, in partnership with Nevada Partners • Creating Nevada’s first-ever statewide Movement Youth Action Board • Building the first-ever statewide Nevada Plan to End Youth Homelessness To accomplish these objectives, NPHY will lead a coalition of partners throughout the state. Partners committed to this project include the Southern Nevada Homelessness Continuum of Care, Northern Nevada Continuum of Care, and Clark County Department of Social Service. Other partners include The LGBTQ+ Center of Southern Nevada, Nevada Indian Commission, UNLV Greenspun College of Urban Affairs, and University of Nevada, Reno. Additional partners are Nevada Homeless Alliance, HELP of Southern Nevada, and St. Jude's Ranch for Children. Clark County Social Service has also committed an $80,000 match award for this project. By fostering collaboration and common goals, we aim to continue building a statewide response to youth homelessness, reducing barriers and making a real difference in the lives of Nevada’s most vulnerable young people. #EndYouthHomelessness #NPHY #NevadaStrong

Title: Breaking the Chains: Homophobia's Role in Homelessness Within the Queer Community and Queer Kenya's Call for Partnerships Introduction: In societies marked by homophobia, homelessness within the queer community remains a stark reality. This article sheds light on the connections between homophobia and homelessness while highlighting the efforts of startup organization Queer Kenya, which is actively working to address this pressing issue. Additionally, it extends an invitation for collaboration and partnerships to amplify the impact of these initiatives. 1. **Homophobia's Contribution to Homelessness:** Homophobic attitudes within families, workplaces, and communities often force queer individuals out of their homes, leading to homelessness. Discrimination in various aspects of life, from employment to housing, exacerbates the vulnerability of the queer community. 2. **The Role of Legal and Social Barriers:** Anti-LGBTQ+ laws and societal prejudices create legal and social barriers that hinder queer individuals from finding stable housing and employment. These systemic challenges contribute significantly to the disproportionate rates of homelessness within the queer community. 3. **Queer Kenya: A Beacon of Hope:** Queer Kenya, a startup organization, has emerged as a beacon of hope in the fight against homelessness among the queer community. Committed to creating positive change, Queer Kenya focuses on advocacy, creating safe spaces, and empowering the queer community. 4. **Advocacy Against Discrimination:** Queer Kenya actively advocates for policy changes and legal reforms to combat discrimination that contributes to homelessness. By challenging societal prejudices, they aim to create an environment that is more inclusive and accepting. 5. **Safe Spaces for Queer Individuals:** Recognizing the need for safe and affirming spaces, Queer Kenya is working towards establishing shelters specifically tailored to the needs of homeless queer individuals. These spaces provide not only physical refuge but also emotional and mental support. 6. **Education and Empowerment Initiatives:** Queer Kenya empowers the queer community through educational initiatives, offering workshops on essential skills, financial literacy, and mental health resources. By fostering independence and resilience, they aim to break the cycle of homelessness. 7. **Call for Partnerships:** Queer Kenya invites individuals, organizations, and businesses to join hands in the fight against homelessness within the queer community. Partnerships can play a crucial role in expanding resources, expertise, and outreach to create a more significant impact. - **How to Partner:** If you are interested in supporting Queer Kenya's mission, whether through financial contributions, in-kind donations, or collaborative projects, reach out to us through our email [email protected].

Hays is a proud partner of EveryYouth, the national charity for 16-25 year olds facing homelessness. EveryYouth exists to help vulnerable young people access mental health support, enter meaningful employment, and secure a home of their own. Homelessness can usually only be properly addressed through holistic and patient support. 136,000 young people in the UK approached their local authority last year because they were facing homelessness. That’s one young person every four minutes. This Pride month, EveryYouth and Hays want to highlight the disproportionate number of LGBTQ+ young people that find themselves homeless or at risk of homelessness, simply for being who they are. And the evidence is startling: 1 in 5 LGBTQ+ people have experienced homelessness at some point in their lives and 25% of trans people have experienced homelessness. The majority of LGBTQ+ young people who have faced homelessness did not feel supported by their parents, siblings or extended family. Trans and disabled LGBTQ+ young people, in particular, did not feel supported by parents. Reasons included a lack of understanding of the LGBTQ+ community and challenges they face, interpretation of faith and pressure from extended family, friends and society. If you would like to help in a small way you can help by sharing this post with your network, or if you are able to give a small donation to support young people into meaningful employment - a £5 donation, just over the cost of a cup of coffee, can buy a bus ticket to a job interview and help change the course of their lives so they can flourish in the years ahead. You can visit the shop here: https://lnkd.in/eSsBngNu #endyouthhomelessness #helpingforyourtomorrow #LeadingWithPride Abbie Clancy-Murphy Nicholas Connolly Jamie Houlders Simon Winfield Faye Edmondson Francesca Cary Jon Beasley Steve Moorhouse Kai Becker Trisha Brookes Joshua Boyland-King Mike Morgan Robin Sturmey