Duane Morris Government Strategies’ Post

UNDERSERVED, a book by Ja'ron Smith and Chris Pilkerton, highlights Abraham Lincoln's words on Reconstruction as "the greatest question ever presented to practical statesmanship." However, Reconstruction ultimately failed because of Lincoln's assassination, and the poor leadership and political shenanigans that followed. That failure precipitated years of horrible treatment for Black Americans for the next 100 years. At a recent event sponsored by Washington Trust Bank and Hello for Good, Chris Pilkerton outlined a comprehensive, long-term approach to address issues in Spokane and other communities. Some local elected officials in attendance showed enthusiasm, and we hope to see action planning in the near future. Chris Patterson, who heads Hello for Good, has been working with many humans on both sides to move such efforts forward. Why the rush? The Grants Pass v. Johnson case, which challenges an ordinance barring public camping, is set to be decided by SCOTUS. The conservative court is expected to rule in favor of Grants Pass, potentially opening the door for similar ordinances in Spokane County and beyond. Hello for Good has been advocating for a regional solution, which would be the most desirable outcome. Otherwise, taxpayers may demand the Grants Pass solution, which would not solve the problem and add additional misery to those needing shelter. Let's work towards a comprehensive, regional solution to address homelessness in our communities. #UNDERSERVED #Homelessness #RegionalSolution #Spokane #HelloForGood

Have you read our Strategic Plan 2024-27? It sets out how we will work with others to deliver services that promote positive child outcomes, support victims and make communities safer. Watch our video from YJB Chair, Keith Fraser to learn more 📽 https://lnkd.in/emQCnbGn #Strategy #YouthJustice #ChildFirst

Every day, powerful people make policy decisions that deeply impact our lives. Utility companies hike up our rates despite their own massive profits, cities invest in building stadiums for tourists instead of desperately needed affordable housing, our loved ones are in crisis as mental health providers shutter their doors. These problems are big, and we often feel powerless to solve them. Alone, it is easy for those in power to ignore our cries for justice. Alone, none of us stand a chance of getting to that decision-making table and forcing action to address our community’s needs. But together, we are powerful. DART affiliates have organized and won over $450 million for affordable housing; ensured that 60,000 fewer children were arrested in the state of Florida; created a break in the school-to-prison pipeline for more than 650 schools; and so, so much more. In the words of Rabbi Abraham Heschel, “in a free society, some are guilty, but all are responsible.” Check out our website to learn more about how our affiliates are taking responsibility for our communities’ own futures. #justice #localpolitics #communityorganizing #DART

Homelessness, the freedom to work, the right to save your own life, and conservatism on college campuses. Read all about it in our Week in Review: https://lnkd.in/gxu83UNR

May is Older Americans Month, and I don’t have to tell you that it’s never been a more difficult time to be a senior in Portland. When elected mayor, I’ll prioritize tackling the issues older Americans care most about. ⛺ End Unsheltered Homelessness NOW. Portland deserves better than the pain and inaction we see on our streets. Keeping our older Americans safe requires ending this heartbreaking failure of leadership. 🚑 Restore Public Safety, Health, and Confidence. Our first responders are overwhelmed, and response times have never been slower. If you have an emergency, you need to know help is on the way. 🏡 Rapidly Expand Affordable Housing. Our seniors deserve the choice to age in place. My innovative office-to-housing conversions and incentivized home share program will ease the housing pressure for those on fixed incomes. #OlderAmericansMonth #PoweredByConnection #portland #KeithWilsonforMayor

"What our annual GAP Report shows is that we have a national shortage of 7.3 million homes that are affordable to lowest income renters. It is a crisis that is happening across the country, in every state and nearly every community. And it's going to take large and sustained federal investment to meet the needs we have found." Do you know Sarah Saadian, the public policy and organizing savant who is laser-focused on advocating for America's lowest income renters? As Senior VP of Public Policy and Field Organizing at the National Low Income Housing Coalition, Sarah amplifies the needs and insights of people who have lived experience with tenuous housing situations and homelessness to policymakers on Capitol Hill. She stands with the Coalition's talented cohort of researchers, communications experts and organizers, President & CEO Diane Yentel and a committed corps of low income renters in educating the public, the media and policy makers about the main drivers of our national housing crisis, a profound housing shortage and a persistent wage gap. In this episode of Power Station Podcast, Sarah shares vital information from the GAP Report and gives a glimpse into a renter-focused 2024 legislative agenda. NLIHC, which heroically generated $46 billion for emergency rental assistance and other resources for people experiencing homelessness during the pandemic is a force to be reckoned with. Don't miss an amazing episode and please repost! bit.ly/3wTrmRM #AffordableHousing #RentalAssistance #EvictionPrevention #HomelessnessPrevention #CapitalHill #PublicPolicy

Today’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of Grants Pass v. Johnson reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of homelessness and how to solve it. With its ruling, the court has effectively criminalized people who are unhoused. Instead of criminalizing people experiencing homelessness, we need: ❗Civilian-staffed and community-centered responses, services, and infrastructure ❗A well trained and resourced public safety workforce ❗Commitment to a Housing First statement ❗ Investment in affordable housing “If we as a society are serious about reducing the number of people who are unhoused, we need to move past the criminalization of survival activities and focus on proven, effective solutions that will create stronger and safer communities.” —Daniela Gilbert, director of Vera’s Redefining Public Safety initiative Read our full statement: https://lnkd.in/eJZKWd7E #SCOTUS

The KQED coverage of Gavin Newsom's executive orders following the US Supreme Court ruling in Grants Pass to prioritize and clear unhoused encampments on state property offered an insightful and balanced range of perspectives. It’s true that government spending has significantly increased in response to issues related to encampments and those living on our community streets. As a government worker who has dedicated over 16 years to this work, I, along with the radio guests, believe that local jurisdictions are making an honest effort to deploy the most effective supportive services with the resources they have, and that no one deserves to be unhoused. This leaves me with a few major questions: 1. How will local jurisdictions enforce what is a seemingly nuanced order and be held accountable for integrating these efforts with systems of care like Whole Person Care? 2. Why do we remain fiscally reactive to homelessness rather than adequately investing in our health and behavioral health infrastructure and preventative solutions like permanent supportive housing? Is there a disconnect between local resource and government jurisdiction? Who does housing scarcity protect?

News from Springfield: Last week, three bills on CCH's legislative agenda were passed and have been sent to Gov. Pritzker for his signature! We thank all our supporters who completed witness slips, traveled to Springfield for a Lobby Day, offered testimony and/or contacted their legislators. Together, we move the needle on ending homelessness. What bills will be signed? 📃 HB 5407 will allow the State to better support the 58,000 Illinois students experiencing homelessness. 📃 HB 5564 will let service providers use more of their annual funding on case management and administrative costs, to better assist families with the housing support they need. 📃 HB 4768 will protect tenants from evictions and other forms of landlord retaliation if they report unsafe living conditions. Thank you, Rep. Michelle Mussman, Rep. Lilian Jiménez, State Rep. Will Guzzardi, Sen. Karina Villa and Sen. Laura Fin for your advocacy! Read CCH's 2024 legislative wrap-up here: https://bit.ly/3V8QYCB #Illinois #statepolicy #2024 #Springfield #advocacy #EndHomelessness

Later this summer, the Supreme Court will rule on City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, one of the most important cases on homelessness to come up in a long time . Here’s an excerpt from oral arguments. Let’s hope the liberal minority prevails. Evangelis: And sleeping in conduct is considered—excuse me, sleeping in public is considered conduct. This court, in Clark, discussed that—that that is conduct. Also, the federal regulations— Kagan: Well, sleeping is a biological necessity. It’s sort of like breathing. I mean, you could say breathing is conduct, too, but presumably you would not think that it’s okay to criminalize breathing in public. For more, see the Atlantic article: A Supreme Court Ruling on Homelessness That’s Both Crucial and Useless: City of Grants Pass v. Johnson skips over the real issues.