Depaul UK’s Post

Homelessness is one of the most pressing issues facing the country, and without drastic action things are only going to get worse. Our latest blog, "A chance to end homelessness - Glass Door’s Election Asks", spotlights: 💡 How rough sleeping is just the tip of the iceberg 💡 The work that Glass Door delivers to support people experiencing or at risk of homelessness 💡 Our top three asks of the next government, underpinned by data and insights from our front-line services Head to our website to give it a read: https://lnkd.in/ecT2CbFx

Criminalizing homelessness fails to address its root causes, such as the lack of affordable housing and access to services. Instead, it penalizes individuals who have no alternative but to sleep on the streets. Fining people who can't afford housing only exacerbates their situation, leading to incarceration and further instability. In Grants Pass, with over 600 homeless individuals and only 130 shelter beds, the problem persists. Shelters, like the Gospel Misson in Grants Pass, can pose risks to mental health, promoting religious conversion and unpaid labor. Often there is an adversarial relationship between staff and the clients leaving many with no safe place for shelter. Shelters can pose physical health risks like requiring complete sobriety despite the dangers of a sudden detox for long term substance users. Working at a shelter during the pandemic I saw first hand how quickly illness spreads in such a close environment. Shelters are often unable to accommodate families with more than a few kids making it even more difficult to find resources for a family struggling together. As a dog owner having to say good bye to a pet I love so dearly just isn’t an option. Yet we expect those experiencing homelessness to just give up their pets for a temporary shelter bed that may not be available the next night. Forget the emotional and mental support that pet might bring to them. This law, and others like it, seeks to criminalize an individual experiencing homelessness for their existence. It further ostracizes them from society. This law is cruel. It is an unusual punishment applied exclusively to those experiencing homelessness. Rather than criminalizing individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness, communities should prioritize creating effective programs and policies. The "Housing First" model remains the most effective approach. Expecting someone to improve their mental health, overcome addiction, or address financial struggles while sleeping outside is unrealistic. Stable shelter is a fundamental human necessity. Growing up in poverty I saw first hand how a discriminatory legal system can cause harm; a reality that was reinforced working as a social worker. I hope to continue to advocate for an individuals legal rights regardless of their socioeconomic status. It should not be a crime to sleep in public while homeless. Especially when communities have consistently failed to provide other safe and affordable alternatives.

This week’s City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson hearing marked the beginning of Supreme Court case proceedings with life-changing consequences for those we serve—by potentially allowing for unhoused people to be fined or arrested for sleeping outside. We must stand firm in our commitment to protecting our vulnerable unhoused neighbors. Research shows that the solution to the homelessness crisis is creating more affordable housing, not criminalizing homelessness. As we wait for an official ruling to be issued, be sure to read National Alliance to End Homelessness’ brief comparing criminalization as an approach to the homeless crisis with increased investment in homelessness services. Spoiler alert: strengthening homelessness services is the best path towards reaching functional zero on homelessness.

Homelessness is a complex issue, and it requires all levels of government to be innovative and work together. Council's latest blog post covers recent and ongoing initiatives that advance our goal of housing our most vulnerable. Read: https://lnkd.in/gGGt6wHY Subscribe: https://lnkd.in/gEwaK6Jj

Today, I was pleased to speak to a Private Member's Bill from my MPP, the Ontario NDP's Bhutila Karpoche, that would establish a provincial Homelessness Task Force. If passed into law, the Task Force — composed of advocates, front-line workers, and people who are homeless — would utilize its expertise to inform a human rights-compliant provincial homelessness strategy. It's clear that the government's actions to date are not working, and that we are spending substantial resources on an uncoordinated effort to manage homelessness, not end it. The best way forward is for those who know what the solutions are to shape a provincial strategy. This isn't an added layer of bureaucracy; it's meaningful engagement with communities of expertise to ensure that Ontario will implement tangible, sustainable positive solutions to the homelessness crisis.

#SFHAMembers! Join our roundtable for the Covid Inquiry's #LetsBeHeard project. Share your experiences & insights on Covid 19's impact on Scottish housing. Help shape a better future by discussing living situations, tenancies, support services & homelessness. Book here: https://lnkd.in/ejHeCu8v

Following the Budget announcement, it's crucial to address homelessness, a challenge we all face. Increased budget provisions for council initiatives and temporary housing subsidies are steps forward, easing financial burdens and enabling essential shelter provision. Furthermore, boosting Discretionary Housing Payments by £100m is a key preventive effort against homelessness. We must advocate for substantial investment in services, vital after years of underfunding, to achieve sustainable housing solutions. This is an investment in our collective future—to move towards a society where homelessness is a thing of the past. Let's discuss how we can progress together. #EndHomelessness #Budget2023 #HousingCrisis

An incredibly important piece this morning on Inside Housing from John Glenton. A quote that sticks with me is "As such, it is important for me to tell policymakers that after 35 years of working in the sector I’ve never known things to be so bad. Never." As John writes, it is imperative that the next government can provide sufficient and long term grant funding to support the building of more social and affordable homes. #SocialHousing #AffordableHomes

About a third of those who seek help from homelessness services report experiencing domestic violence, while half of those who need emergency or temporary accommodation cannot access it.    We need the NSW Government to invest $30 million over the next three years in providing safe, stable and accessible temporary accommodation that helps people get out of homelessness and into homes – something everyone deserves. Download our Pre-Budget Submission to the NSW Government to see the five key investments we're recommending they make that are achievable and pragmatic, yet also highly impactful in the short-term. https://bit.ly/3xFJzT5

As the Scottish Government explores the introduction of new prevention duties to address homelessness, we find ourselves at a critical juncture. These proposals, while promising, invite us to proceed with caution and thorough consideration. Implementing such duties will require robust planning, resources, and a deep understanding of the varied causes of homelessness. It's essential that we engage in open dialogue, ensure stakeholder involvement, and critically assess the potential impacts on our communities. As we move forward, let's commit to thoughtful analysis and collaboration, ensuring any new measures not only promise but deliver real change. #HomelessnessPrevention #ScottishPolicy #CommunityEngagement ---