Giving Compass' Take:

• Steve Berg relays some key points from the 2018 National Conference on Ending Homelessness which discuss a crisis response system, reforms for more accessible housing, addressing racial disparities, among other things. 

• After discussing important strategic moves toward ending homelessness, what are the next steps for funders that would like to help?

• Check out the Giving Compass Guide on Homelessness: What to Know and How to Help.

People working to end homelessness are clearer than ever about what it will take. To permanently end homelessness, there are two things that need to be in place, and those were spelled out in detail.

Here are a few key takeaways from the National Conference on Ending Homelessness:

  • A crisis response system so that when anyone loses their housing and becomes homeless, they will be found, kept safe, and quickly helped move back into housing. This includes:
    • Low-barrier, housing-focused shelters
    • Strategies to address unsheltered homelessness
    • Rapid re-housing strategies that build upon success with veterans, families, individual adults, and youth
    • Diversion and similar interventions that help keep people from entering shelter
    • Permanent supportive housing, including strategies to leverage mainstream programs like housing vouchers and Medicaid
    • Strategies to address homeless families.
    • System-building approaches to make all these interventions more effective for the largest possible number of people.
  • Making larger reforms so that more people can afford and access housing. This was a big part of the keynotes from Senators Kamala Harris and Cory Booker.
  • We have to address racial disparities, race discrimination, and racism. Simply put, everyone wants to ensure that the homeless services system makes disparities better, not worse.
  • Employment is a key intervention. People are looking for ways to make employment a viable way to get people out of homelessness.
  • More people are seeking partnerships. Among the groups and interests whose enthusiasm was the greatest were Public Housing Agencies, law enforcement, corrections, and health care.
  • Advocacy is essential. The number of Hill Day meetings was extremely strong, and there was a good response to the Alliance’s policy priorities.

Read the full article about homelessness by Steve Berg at National Alliance to End Homelessness