According to HUD in 2017, America has over 500,000 homeless people. Nearly half of those were “unsheltered.” Almost 40 percent of the homeless population are under 18 years of age. Too many families are without permanent housing, with a significant portion living on the street, frequently through little fault of their own.
Homelessness can become a death sentence from adverse climate conditions (too cold or hot), drug overdoses, mental health issues and or even murder. In 2018, a New Orleans EMS coordinator declared, “our streets are our mental wards.” However, New Orleans is making new strides in conquering the problem.
Las Vegas was deemed the smallest American city among the top 10. The city has announced a new initiative based on a successful San Antonio Texas model called “Corridor For Hope.”
Other cities have drastically reduced chronic homeless populations using a strategy called “Housing First.”
HUD’s national, 3-year “Family Options Study” confirmed that “long-term housing subsidies are by far the most effective outcome for long-term housing stability, child well-being, and food security, among other benefits.”
While housing is only one factor that leads to homelessness, new policies give people and communities renewed hope that homelessness can be reduced.
What you can do.
See National Alliance to End Homelessness and Haven for Hope and Homes For Our Troops
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