Solutions-Homelessness

With housing costs rising, tiny homes offer one solution to address homelessness

by Giles Bruce, Kaiser Health News 7/02/2022 PBS News

Then in 2014, he heard about this community being planned by Occupy Madison, a spinoff of the national movement against income inequality. Cox started helping with gardening, one of his passions. A few months later, he moved into one of its 99-square-foot houses (echoing the “99%” of the population that Occupy aimed to represent).
With housing costs rising, tiny homes are spreading as a solution to homelessness in California, Indiana, Missouri, Oregon, and beyond. Arnold Schwarzenegger garnered considerable publicity in December when he donated money for 25 tiny houses for homeless veterans in Los Angeles. It reflects a growing interest in outside-the-box ideas to get unhoused people off the streets, especially during winter in cold climates and amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

L.A. Activists Demand Real Solutions to Housing Crisis as City Cracks Down on Homeless Encampments

by DEMOCRACY NOW 11/8/22

As cities nationwide crack down on unhoused populations and soaring rents force people out of their homes, the Los Angeles City Council faced major protests this week when it voted to ban encampments for unhoused people near schools and daycares.

Stakeholders and Advocates Discuss Solutions to Homelessness

by harrise 13/10/17 CHASING THE DREAM

The situation goes like this: You’re earning wages below the poverty line. Statistically, you’re the one in four working poor residents spending more than 70 percent of your income on housing alone. And, it’s not hard to imagine ending up on the street.

Input from the unhoused may be crucial solution to homelessness in San Francisco

by Stephanie Sy 6/7/21 PBS NEWS

The San Francisco Bay Area has a rising homeless population. On any given night, an estimated 35,000 individuals are without a place to live. Meanwhile, the cost of living continues to climb. Much effort has gone into resolving the crisis, to little avail. But now, there's new hope that those with an insider's perspective can make that much needed difference. Stephanie Sy has that story.

ACLU Responds to Supreme Court Decision that Cities Can Punish People for Being Homeless

by City of Grants Pass v. Johnson 28/6/24 ACLU

The court held that punishing a person for sleeping in public, even if they have no other option, punishes conduct, not status, and so Robinson v. California, which established that it is cruel and unusual to criminalize a person’s status, does not apply. The case, Grants Pass v. Johnson, originated from an Oregon city that passed ordinances barring people from sleeping outside in public using a blanket, pillow, or even a cardboard sheet to lie on.

U.S. homelessness up 12 percent to highest reported level as rents soar and pandemic aid lapses

by Kevin Freking 15/12/23 PBS NEWS

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States experienced a dramatic 12 percent increase in homelessness as soaring rents and a decline in coronavirus pandemic assistance combined to put housing out of reach for more Americans, federal officials said Friday.

The Solution To The Homeless Crisis In Seattle

by Carolyn Ossorio 6/12/17 HUFFPOST

I'm not a politician. I'm not a social worker. I'm a mother. I'm a writer. I'm a doer. And, the issue of homelessness in Seattle has been weighing on my conscience: I NEEDED to do something.

The housing shortage and homelessness in San Francisco. Is there a solution?

by Duarte Geraldino 2/6/16 PBS NEWS

Special correspondent Duarte Geraldino traveled to San Francisco, where he met housing advocate Gary McCoy. McCoy, who was homeless in San Francisco for years, is now running for a seat on the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee.

ACLU of Texas calls on City of Dallas to End Cycle of Homeless Evictions

by ACLU of Texas 25/10/16 ACLU

DALLAS – In a letter issued Friday to Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings and Dallas City Council members, the ACLU of Texas warned city officials that they must respect the constitutional rights of the homeless, cease enforcement of the city’s unconstitutional ordinance banning sleeping in public and seek legal, humane and long-term solutions to the city’s homelessness crisis.

Newsom issues order directing California agencies how to remove homeless encampments

by Trân Nguyễn 25/7/24 PBS NEWS

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order Thursday to direct state agencies on how to remove homeless encampments, a month after a Supreme Court ruling allowing cities to enforce bans on sleeping outside in public spaces.

Italy: Many children among dozens left homeless by forced eviction in Rome

by AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL 9/7/14

“Today’s shocking demolition in Val D’ala is an eviction in violation of international human rights standards – leaving these people homeless and destitute. There was no formal advance notice of eviction or consultation with the community, and no suitable alternative housing has been offered,” said Matteo de Bellis, Amnesty International’s Italy Campaigner, who is currently with the community as they seek redress from municipal authorities.