More than 7,800 people registered for the Homelessness and Housing First webinar hosted by NLIHC, the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH), and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) on December 12!
The webinar, “Threats to Housing First,” began with opening remarks from Sarah Saadian, NLIHC senior vice president of public policy and field organizing. Sarah provided an overview of federal, state, and local efforts to undermine Housing First and other proven solutions to homelessness. She discussed harmful statewide criminalization legislation promoted by the Cicero Institute and the “Housing PLUS Act” (H.R. 6018), introduced by Representative Andy Barr (R-KY), which would undermine HUD’s ability to prioritize evidence-based solutions like Housing First.
Marc Dones, CEO of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA), addressed the importance of Housing First and why it should be preserved. They highlighted that Housing First is the most effective – and cost-effective – approach to rapidly housing people experiencing homelessness and moving them into permanent housing. Marc noted that because King County’s efforts are oriented towards rapidly housing people, legislation that would divert federal homeless assistance funds to non-Housing First programs would defund most of KCRHA’s portfolio.
George Eklund, director of education and advocacy at the Coalition for the Homeless in Louisville, discussed emerging threats to Housing First in Kentucky. He explained how Representative Barr’s efforts to divert federal homeless assistance funds to high-barrier programs would decrease local homeless assistance funding; limit local innovation, self-control, and flexibility; and fundamentally change how local homelessness programs operate in Louisville.
Marqueia Watson, executive director of the Greater Kansas City Coalition to End Homelessness, addressed the criminalization of homelessness in Missouri, calling attention to a Cicero Institute bill passed in the state legislature this year. She discussed local advocacy efforts to fight back against the bill, including her ongoing conversations with state legislators and the Cicero Institute. Marqueia spoke about her participation in the NAEH-led convening of advocacy groups opposing similar harmful legislation in their states.
Shams DaBaron, a homeless advocate in New York City, shared about the impact of criminalization on people experiencing homelessness. Shams emphasized the role of systemic racism in our country’s homelessness crisis and in the criminalization of homelessness. He highlighted the need to incorporate the voices of people with lived experience in developing solutions.
NLIHC’s Sarah Saadian concluded the meeting by outlining opportunities for advocates to engage their members of Congress on the importance of Housing First. She highlighted resources advocates can use to push back against misguided efforts to undermine Housing First and criminalize homelessness.
We have uploaded the presentation slides from the call.
Take Action:
We encourage all advocates to educate your elected officials about the importance of Housing First and the need for robust investments in affordable housing and homelessness resources. Consider using this advocacy toolkit published by NLIHC. The toolkit includes everything you’ll need to engage your elected officials, including talking points, tips for scheduling in-district meetings and tours of affordable housing developments, social media messages, and more.
Resources Discussed on the Webinar:
- Housing First Resources (NLIHC)
- Housing First Fact Sheet and Tools (NAEH)
- Advocacy Toolkit (NLIHC)
- Talking Points to Oppose the Cicero-Backed Legislation
- Talking Points to Oppose the Housing PLUS Act
- KCRHA Landlord Incentive Package
- Draft Homeless Bill of Rights Ordinance
- Study: The Preventive Effect of Housing First on Health Care Utilization and Costs Among Chronically Homeless Individuals
- Sources of video clips: Interview with Judge Glock from the Cicero Institute; House Financial Services Committee (HFSC) Hybrid Markup Part 1 (May 2022), Press Conference on the Housing PLUS Act, HFSC Full Committee Markup Part 2 (November 2019)
Upcoming Webinar:
Register for the next webinar, “A World without Housing First,” taking place on Monday, January 9, from 2:30 to 4 pm ET. Register at: https://bit.ly/3vIbn5o
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Homelessness is a crisis in many communities – one that demands urgent action. To end homelessness once and for all, federal, state, and local governments must invest in proven solutions at the scale necessary to address the problem. The Housing First model is one of the best strategies for ending homelessness. Housing First recognizes that affordable and accessible homes are the foundation on which people thrive, and by combining housing with access to supportive services, Housing First can help people exit homelessness and live stably in their communities.
In communities across the nation, however, some misguided policymakers are responding to this crisis by advancing dangerous rhetoric and harmful, dehumanizing measures that will make it even harder for people to exit homelessness. It is critical that advocates nationwide are unified in pushing back against stigmatizing and counterproductive efforts that seek to criminalize homelessness, impose punitive requirements, and even prevent the development of affordable housing.
As our communities struggle with soaring inflation, skyrocketing rents, increased evictions, and, in many cases, more homelessness, it is more important than ever that advocates work together to advance the bold policies and anti-racist reforms needed to ensure stable, affordable, and accessible homes for all people experiencing and at risk of homelessness.
Learn more about Housing First at: https://bit.ly/3ViLyU6