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The number of women experiencing homelessness has surged by 88% in the past decade, and systemic gender inequalities are a major factor. It’s time to make a change. The Women’s Housing Movement is here to address these challenges head-on. From innovative methods to count women’s homelessness to developing national accreditation for supported accommodations, we are committed to transforming the landscape for homeless women. Why do we need the Women’s Housing Movement? 🏠 Only 11.1% of accommodation is single-gender, leaving many women without safe housing options. 🔍 Systemic inequalities are often overlooked in service design and delivery. ��� Our movement is a platform for collaboration, sharing best practices, and creating impactful solutions. Join us! The Strategic Network is a national forum where we coordinate efforts to drive systemic change and support women experiencing homelessness. We need your expertise to build collective knowledge, influence change, and develop best practices. 🔗 Get Involved! Connect with practitioners across sectors, exchange ideas, and contribute to our shared work plan. The network meets quarterly and is open to anyone with the skills and capacity to make a difference. Contact Victoria Tomlinson at ARK for more information and to join the fight against women’s homelessness.

Youth homelessness continues to increase in Europe’s cities. It is a deeply worrying trend that has been made worse by significant recent crises, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the increased cost of living and unaffordable housing. In an effort to tackle the escalating issue, city governments have developed multiple initiatives to provide young people with support. But we recognise we cannot overcome this situation alone. If we are to ensure lasting change, it is essential that the EU, national and local levels of government in Europe work together to develop ambitious strategic plans that will end youth homelessness once and for all.   Read a new opinion piece, written by Renaud PAYRE, Vice President of Lyon Metrople → https://lnkd.in/eyaQcZKS Métropole de Lyon #Homelessness

Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is announcing new resources, technical assistance, and regulatory flexibilities to support their efforts to address homelessness, including among youth, people in unsheltered settings, and people in rural areas. HUD is making $50 million in Youth Homelessness System Improvement (YHSI) grants funding available to communities nationwide. The grants will focus on systemic change to either improve or create response systems for youth at risk of or experiencing homelessness by funding projects that create and build capacity for Youth Action Boards; establish regional committees on youth homelessness to direct efforts across multiple systems including education, justice, and child welfare; collect and use data on at-risk youth and youth experiencing homelessness; develop strong leaders within a community; and improve the coordination, communication, operation, and administration of homeless assistance projects to better serve youth, including prevention and diversion strategies. https://lnkd.in/gr6ysSaP

Real-time data is a powerful tool for councils. Throughout the life cycle of a project, data can show what works and what doesn’t, leading to better decision making and improved outcomes. Lydia Hutchings and Beth Kilheeney explain how the Greater Manchester Better Outcomes Partnership works with young people to prevent homelessness and how the Greater Manchester Combined Authority is evaluating the project. https://lnkd.in/e384ae-t #Homelessness #Prevention #CommunityEngagement #Evaluation #DataCollection #LocalGov Bridges Outcomes Partnerships

Addressing youth homelessness is essential to breaking the lifelong cycle of chronic and repeated #homelessness, and to investing in young people’s futures. It is also a key factor in the EU’s overall ambition to end homelessness by 2030. The EU have a plan. Where is the UK's plan to end homelessness? Do we even have one? #eu #Europeanunion #home #ukhousing #leadership #youth #cities #poverty #affordablehousing #socialhousing Shelter Crisis Simon on the Streets Evolve Housing + Support Homeless London Housing Matters Housing Research Collaborative London Charter to End Rough Sleeping https://lnkd.in/dEsfzyVz

Building Bridges: Strengthening Community Ties through Outreach Initiatives The Importance of Community Outreach Empowering Individuals and Families Community outreach programs are more than just temporary reliefs; they are stepping stones towards lasting change. By addressing immediate needs such as mental health support and shelter, these programs provide a foundation for individuals and families to rebuild their lives. The personal story of Jane Doe, a beneficiary of HBHM's homelessness program, illustrates this impact. Once living on the streets of Toronto, Jane now has a stable home and access to mental health services, enabling her to pursue employment and education. Bridging Gaps in Healthcare Mental health and wellness programs are crucial in preventing the long-term consequences of untreated mental health issues. Outreach initiatives that focus on these aspects ensure that vulnerable populations receive the care they need before crises occur. According to a study by the Canadian Mental Health Association, targeted outreach programs have reduced emergency room visits by 40% among participating communities, showcasing their effectiveness. The Mechanics of Outreach Initiatives Collaborative Efforts Successful outreach requires the collaboration of various stakeholders. Partnerships between charities like HBHM, local governments, and private sectors can lead to more comprehensive and sustainable programs. For instance, HBHM's collaboration with local businesses has led to the creation of job opportunities for previously homeless individuals, facilitating their reintegration into society. Innovative Approaches Innovation in outreach programs often involves integrating technology to track progress and needs more efficiently. Mobile apps that allow instant access to mental health support and real-time data collection on homelessness and poverty levels are examples of how technology is making outreach more effective and responsive. Challenges and Opportunities While the strides are significant, the road ahead remains fraught with challenges. Stigma around mental health and homelessness continues to be a major barrier. Public education and awareness campaigns are crucial in changing perceptions and encouraging a more supportive and inclusive community. Conclusion As we look forward, the potential for community outreach programs to bridge gaps and build stronger community ties is immense. However, their success depends on continuous support, innovation, and collaboration. By engaging with and supporting these initiatives, we can contribute to a healthier, more connected society. Let us be the bridge that connects despair to hope, isolation to support, and poverty to empowerment. #CommunityEngagement #Unity #Support #HBHM @CommunityBuilders

The progress Washington state has made on youth homelessness in recent years is stunning. And hopeful. 10,000 fewer youth experiencing homelessness this in 2022 than in 2016. 10,000 young people with stable housing instead of a shelter, a bridge or some other unsafe and unstable situation. That's an exciting 40% drop. It's important to remember that the path from youth homelessness into adult homelessness is clear - and our state has disrupted that pathway for 10,000 young people each year. https://lnkd.in/gfDW8aRG

Two key ideas from Paula Barker MP that could help to turn the tide and #EndYouthHomlessness. 1. Data collection: "The lack of comprehensive data on the number of young adults experiencing homelessness is concerning. It should not be necessary to rely on FOI requests to obtain this information. How can the Government even begin to solve the problem if it does not truly understand the scale of it?" 2. A #PlanForThe136k: "We also need a comprehensive national youth homelessness strategy. Leading homelessness organisations such as Centrepoint, Big Issue, YMCA England & Wales along with 100+ others, are calling for this. It would provide an in-depth plan to support the 136,000 young people affected." Read more about her brilliant plans and why we do desperately need a #PlanForThe136k - https://lnkd.in/eK7QmVgE

The drivers of homelessness—poverty, lack of affordable housing, and unemployment—"are the result of deep structural inequities in our economy and systems of governance; they disproportionally harm low-income people, people of color, and other marginalized populations." Even though the struggles related to homelessness are structural and systemic, often times it is the individual who is held responsible for these "grave personal failures". This ideology removes health care, economic, judicial, educational, and social support networks from the discussion and further prevents developing a resolution for these systemic issues. To foster real change, policymakers need to be educated about and equipped to address these systemic barriers. By bridging gaps between sectors and amplifying the voices of the unhoused, we can shift the narrative and work towards inclusive, equitable, and accessible communities. https://lnkd.in/g3-YDnHa

Discover the challenges faced by trans and non-binary homeless individuals in accessing shelter. Explore this article to learn how we can work towards improving housing accessibility. 👉 https://lnkd.in/g-D8VnuX