Giving Compass' Take:

• The National Alliance to End Homelessness' virtual Town Hall event focused on addressing homelessness through the lens of racial justice and COVID-19.

• Why are virtual town hall events important in staying updated and proactive in the fight against homelessness? How can you use the information from the town hall to fight homelessness equitably and effectively?

• Find funds to support during the coronavirus.

A week after the live stream of the virtual 2020 Town Hall on Ending Homelessness, I am still on an emotional high due to the overwhelming positive reception of the event.

The first portion of the event featured history on the issue of homelessness, and several speakers highlighted the importance of us all working together now to end it – especially considering the challenges presented with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Remarks from Dr. Lucius Couloute, professor at Suffolk University, highlighted the connection between the criminal justice system and homelessness, including three policy and legislative recommendations to interrupt the incarceration to homelessness pipeline: eliminating over policing, banning the box on housing applications that asks about criminal history, and instituting automatic criminal record expungement proceedings. Amanda Andere, CEO of Funders Together to End Homelessness, also explained the role of philanthropy in responding to the pandemic and centering black, indigenous, and LGBTQ+ voices at the center of funding and decision making.

Due to the increased need for quality data and the efforts from partners in response to the pandemic, the third segment focused on the intersection of health and homelessness. This intersection was especially made clear by Bobby Watts, CEO, National Health Care for the Homeless Council, who thanked those on providing medical services to our neighbors without homes. With this new reality, we were reminded that health care and housing is a human right.

In Virginia, the response to COVID-19 has led the leaders of that state to develop a plan for ending homelessness for the nearly 6,000 people experiencing homelessness.

But these necessary opportunities and innovations are only possible with adequate funding, and this funding still needs to be passed by Congress. It is up to advocates to inform Congress of these needs.

Read the full article about the virtual town hall by David Dirks at End Homelessness.