Raikes Foundation’s Post

Revisiting an older Abt Global discussion that's more relevant today than ever. How is climate change affecting homelessness response systems, and how can we design equitable, intersectional solutions? As Lisa Brooks puts it: “It is absolutely essential, to make space and share power with people with lived experience…when we’re thinking about working with people with lived experience, we’re recognizing that BIPOC folks are the most likely to experience homelessness, particularly Black and brown communities, and LGBTQ+ youth, [it’s] just absolutely essential to be partnering with them” when devising solutions." #Homelessness #ProgramDesign #ClimateResponse

We know it's after the fact but for us it still bears announcing: Sunday was International Non-Binary People’s Day! We at A Way Home America understand the impacts of the gender binary in our societies, and we know that it simply is not an expansive-enough construct to apply to persons/peoples in the world.  Our mission explicitly names LGBTQIA+ folks (among others) as a target audience for which we want to end and prevent homelessness. Additionally, some of our Core Principles are to 1) Recognize and Center Intersectionality & 2) Shift Power to Youth and Young Adults. The intersectional youth we work with deserve to lead the work that impacts them in the Homelessness Movement. Despite which letter in the acronym you feel you fall into (or don’t), we want you to know that we SEE you and we are here to support you in our mission, as a non-binary person. Happy visibility and strength to all of our non-binary neighbors, friends, and co-conspirators! A Way Home America’s mission is to transform systems through public policy to prevent and end homelessness for Black, Indigenous, youth of color, and LGBTQIA+ youth, on a path to housing justice for all. www.AWayHomeAmerica.org #endyouthhomelessness #nonbinary #homeless #homelessyouth #housingisahumanright

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.

Did you know, transition age youth (ages 18-24) experiencing homelessness are more likely than older adults to identify as LGBTQ+? A key contributing factor to youth experiencing homelessness is conflict with a parent, guardian, or foster parent. In DC, 34% of unaccompanied youth identified at LGBTQ+ in comparison to 9% of youth overall. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e8NfaK_T This is why organizations like Playtime are so important. We provide support to children experiencing housing insecurity with the goal of preventing them from becoming young adults experiencing #housinginsecurity or #homelessness. To learn about becoming a volunteer, register for our June 22nd training: https://lnkd.in/gGF_dfbX #playtimeproject #playequity #playforall #playmatters #volunteerwithus #volunteeropportunity #volunteeropportunities #pridemonth #PrideMonth2024

November is National Homeless Youth Awareness Month. This hits particularly close to home for our organization as we serve youth and the unhoused population. To bring awareness to the rise of homelessness among youth in this country we’ve pulled some statistics from Chapin Hall’s study of youth homelessness from 2015-2017 and Salita O’Neale’s article “Foster Care and Homelessness”.      1 in 10 youth experience homelessness each year.      Black youth are 83% and Hispanic youth are 33% more likely to experience homelessness.      LGBTQ+ youth experience homelessness more than twice as much as their peers.      40-50% of youth become unhoused after exiting foster care.      65% of youth aging out of foster care need immediate housing.      Approximately 5,000 unaccompanied youth die every year due to assault, illness, or suicide. https://lnkd.in/ecgsGYkz https://lnkd.in/eQEYy2dV

Today is a day to give back— whether that be through #donations, time, or other forms of support. And each #GivingTuesday, every small act of generosity builds a wave of change 🌊 👉 Donating even $1 can provide essential resources for mental health support, legal assistance, or emergency funds. 👉 #Volunteering your time can help create more supportive environments, offering mentorship and building community networks that foster empowerment. 👉 Amplifying marginalized voices and sharing our stories helps build a more compassionate world, breaking down stereotypes and promoting understanding and respect. So if you're committed to the protection of #TransgenderRights, there are countless organizations that could use your generosity this year: Transgender.org The GenderCool Project Transgender Law Center And many more! What are you doing this #GivingTuesday2023? Let us know in the comments below! 👇 #DonateToday #VolunteeringMatters #TransGivingTuesday

In New York City, around 1,000 young adults age out of foster care each year, and about 20% of them become immediately homeless. Communities like Homeward Central Harlem -- a supportive housing development in Harlem with services for LGBTQ+ young adults -- provide on-site supportive services such as counseling, case management for residents to access financial and health care benefits, connections to community resources, group activities, and skills-building programs. Here's the thing. We know how to end homelessness. It's to provide supportive housing that benefits individuals and families, provides the stability they need, and also ends up costing less than cycling individuals through jail and emergency rooms. This is the model for moving forward. And it's why nearly a fifth of our tax credit investments are in permanent supportive housing at Enterprise Community Partners. Because we know it works. https://lnkd.in/eDsA_jzt