Julio Carrillo’s Post

Ill-founded, expensive and inhumane! We join the National Homelessness Law Center and National Alliance to End Homelessness in condemning SCOTUS’ decision on the criminalization of homelessness. Being poor or mentally ill or unable to afford the soaring cost of housing does not make someone a criminal. Filling jails with people who can be helped through proven Housing First programs that cost less than prison and don’t infringe on citizens’ constitutional rights are a much better solution with great outcomes. Take the shackles off, and let’s invest in helping people regain their lives. https://lnkd.in/eFy7GFuu

The Supreme Court recently heard arguments in the landmark Johnson v. Grants Pass case, which could significantly reshape laws around criminalizing homelessness across the country, including here in Texas. In this article, my colleague Sam Foss explores the implications of this case and underscores the urgent need for systemic solutions to protect the rights and dignity of those experiencing homelessness. As Foss states, "Criminalization is not a solution to homelessness." Read the full piece to gain insights into: - The history and background of the Johnson v. Grants Pass case. - The disproportionate impact of criminalization on Black, Indigenous, and other marginalized communities. - How criminalization policies exacerbate health risks and mortality among the unhoused. - Effective strategies like Housing First, rent assistance, and just-cause eviction protections. - The importance of investing in affordable housing and homeless crisis response systems. As we await the Court's decision, this article reminds us that homelessness is a housing issue, not a crime. By embracing compassionate, housing-focused approaches, we can promote lasting change and uphold the human rights of our most vulnerable neighbors. https://lnkd.in/gCtfTeT5 #HousingJustice #SupremeCourt #JohnsonvGrantsPass

We must seek understanding before judgment. A lot of conversations in the homelessness debate is about refusal of services . Some cities like Boston is attempting to make it sound a person refuses services for homelessness the they will be arrested. This goes against housing first and the rights of those that refuse services. In America we have the freedom of choice. It is up to us to create better programs that the people express needing and wanting to use instead of how we currently build programs. We cannot lead a hoarse to tainted water an expect them to drink. We have been poisoning those that fall through the cracks and now search to punish for not drinking tainted water. We must overcome this by listening to those who refuse services and create empowerment one person at a time. #housingcrisis #empowerment #homelessnsss

Ill-founded, expensive and inhumane! We join the National Homelessness Law Center and National Alliance to End Homelessness in condemning SCOTUS’ decision on the criminalization of homelessness. Being poor or mentally ill or unable to afford the soaring cost of housing does not make someone a criminal. Filling jails with people who can be helped through proven Housing First programs that cost less than prison and don’t infringe on citizens’ constitutional rights are a much better solution with great outcomes. Take the shackles off, and let’s invest in helping people regain their lives. https://lnkd.in/eFy7GFuu

The housing and homelessness sector, comprised of dedicated workers, community members, and change-makers, has unequivocally stood against Governor Gavin Newsom's orders to clear homeless encampments. This approach neglects health equity, the core issue of homelessness, and fails to provide real, lasting solutions for California’s most vulnerable. We must advocate for compassionate and comprehensive policies that address the root causes of homelessness. It’s time for innovative solutions to ensure everyone has a safe and stable place to sleep at night. Amidst cuts to affordable housing and a significant state budget deficit, such policies only deepen the divide in our communities, highlighting a lack of prioritization for equitable change. Let’s champion health equity and human dignity for all, pushing for strategies that make a difference. Together, we can drive change that uplifts and supports our communities. #Homelessness #HealthEquity #HousingFirst #California #Advocacy #SocialJustice

Ill-founded, expensive and inhumane! We join the National Homelessness Law Center and National Alliance to End Homelessness in condemning SCOTUS’ decision on the criminalization of homelessness. Being poor or mentally ill or unable to afford the soaring cost of housing does not make someone a criminal. Filling jails with people who can be helped through proven Housing First programs that cost less than prison and don’t infringe on citizens’ constitutional rights are a much better solution with great outcomes. Take the shackles off, and let’s invest in helping people regain their lives. https://lnkd.in/e_ve5sUy

Recently, I was asked about my thoughts on encampment displacements, and I believe this article articulates the complexities and consequences most effectively. It delves into the nuanced challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness and the broader social implications of displacement. As we continue to search for sustainable solutions, it's crucial to consider the voices and experiences of those directly impacted by these policies. #Homelessness #SupportiveHousing #SocialWork #PolicyAnalysis

Through our Crossroads to Justice strategic plan, the Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness committed to five bold Results that will drive significant movement towards housing, racial and health justice.   Result 2 states, “Homelessness is prevented whenever possible, and services and supports are provided to ensure no one returns to homelessness.”     Three key Strategies support this Result:  🔑 Improve access to resources for households to sustain their housing.  🔑 Support people in transitions so they do not leave government funded or operated systems into homelessness.   🔑 Use data to target resources more effectively.      Learn more – including how we’re measuring success and holding ourselves accountable – at https://lnkd.in/gMhcuypY #CrossroadsToJustice #housing #Minnesota #homelessness #endhomelessness

On this 4th of July, I hope you'll join me in doing something very patriotic--use your voice to advocate to lawmakers! As you may have seen (either on my feed or in the news), the Supreme Court recently made a ruling in favor of a city that wants to have the ability to arrest people experiencing homelessness, rather than provide adequate shelter, services, housing, etc. This ruling undermines past decisions of lower courts that called this type of approach cruel and unusual under the 8th amendment (which, by the way, it absolutely is). As homelessness is on the rise as a result of the surging housing costs and the loss of our social safety net, these types of bans and punitive laws were already on the rise before this ruling, and we anticipate that this blanket approval by the highest judicial authority in our country will result in even more. Although these types of decisions are primarily state and local, federal lawmakers and government officials have a big role to play, too, beyond just funding federal programs. Now more than ever, we need to make sure that all of our voices are being used to send a message to our lawmakers about homelessness and actual solutions--not strategies that displace people, cause more harm, and do absolutely nothing to solve the actual problem. I would love it if you could take 5 minutes today to reach out to your members of Congress and ask them to sign on to a letter to the President, asking him and the Administration to publicly stand against the criminalization of homelessness and in support of proven and positive solutions to get people housed. The more lawmakers that we can get to sign this letter, the more power it will be in response to the Supreme Court Decision. The National Alliance to End Homelessness makes it really easy! You can take action now by clicking on the link below and follow the steps provided. All you have to do is enter basic information and we will be able to make sure it gets to your congressional members! Signatures are being collected only through July 10th so please take action as quickly as possible! Arresting, displacing, and otherwise disregarding the needs of the most vulnerable people in our country because they make the less vulnerable uncomfortable should not be a partisan or political issue. This is humanity at its worst. We need everyone's voice to speak up and speak often against such inhumane choices of our lawmakers. After you share this post with your own networks, please check out more resources and ways to get involved in the comment section below.

Understanding HUD's criteria for homelessness is crucial for social service providers navigating housing assistance programs. Learn more about the nuances of eligibility in our latest blog post and ensure your clients receive the support they need. #Homelessness #HUD #SocialServices https://hubs.li/Q02nnw9r0