Inside the Plan to Get 100,000 Homeless Americans Off the Streets
The Homelessness Epidemic
Homelessness has been a persistent problem in America for decades. In the 1980s, an economic recession, the elimination of many single-room occupancy buildings, and the closure of some mental institutions led to a surge in homelessness. Homeless shelters became widespread, but they were often overcrowded and unsanitary, and they did little to address the underlying causes of homelessness.
Housing First
In the 1990s, a new approach to homelessness emerged: Housing First. This approach recognizes that people need stable housing in order to address their other problems, such as addiction and mental illness. Housing First programs provide homeless people with permanent supportive housing, along with access to social services and other support.
The 100,000 Homes Campaign
The 100,000 Homes Campaign is a coalition of community organizations across the country that aims to permanently house most of the country’s chronically homeless by 2014. Since 2010, the campaign has placed more than 12,000 people in permanent housing.
The Benefits of Permanent Housing
Providing permanent housing for homeless people is not only the right thing to do, it’s also the smart thing to do. Studies have shown that permanent housing is cheaper than many of the alternatives, such as shelter stays and emergency room visits. It also helps to prevent homelessness from recurring.
The Challenges of Ending Homelessness
Ending homelessness is a complex challenge, but it is one that we can overcome. The 100,000 Homes Campaign is making a real difference in the lives of homeless people across the country. With continued support, we can end homelessness for good.
How You Can Help
There are many ways that you can help to end homelessness. You can volunteer your time at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen. You can donate money to organizations that are working to end homelessness. You can also speak out against the policies that contribute to homelessness, such as poverty and discrimination.
Together, we can end homelessness in America.
Additional Information
- The National Coalition for the Homeless: https://nationalhomeless.org
- The National Alliance to End Homelessness: https://endhomelessness.org
- The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness: https://www.usich.gov