The team behind the Framework for an Equitable Homelessness Response released new resources to help support and guide communities in implementing high-quality, low-barrier, housing placement-focused interim housing options for people experiencing homelessness.
Throughout 2022, Framework partners, led by the National Coalition for the Homeless, held focus groups with people with lived experience of homelessness and of navigating emergency shelter or interim housing programs. Partners also interviewed leaders of national housing and homelessness organizations, those working in homelessness response systems, and individuals operating interim housing programs, and conducted a thorough review of existing tools and materials to identify and address gaps within existing guidance.
The interviews made clear the need for creating and seizing opportunities to transform current approaches to sheltering people experiencing homelessness and culminated in the creation of two new documents: Reimagining Interim Housing: Stages and Action Areas for Transforming Approaches to Sheltering People Experiencing Homelessness and Tools for Strengthening Current Interim Housing Programs and Services.
Reimagining Interim Housing provides recommended approaches to transforming interim housing programs, with a special focus on racial justice and equity and centering the voices of people with lived experience. The document provides guidance on how communities can collaboratively develop a clear vision for their transformation efforts, pursue multiple change and improvement efforts, and build the momentum necessary to achieve full-scale and ongoing transformation.
Tools for Strengthening Current Interim Housing Programs and Services presents existing documents, guidance, and tools that can be used to strengthen critical elements of interim housing programs. The document will be updated as additional resources become available.
The development of the new resources was led by Framework project consultants Matthew Doherty, Shaundell Diaz, Rashema Melson, and Claudine Sipili.
Access Reimagining Interim Housing: Stages and Action Areas for Transforming Approaches to Sheltering People Experiencing Homelessness at: bit.ly/3HKCRyh
Access Tools for Strengthening Current Interim Housing Programs and Services at: bit.ly/3Wptg3Z
Visit the Framework website at: housingequityframework.org