With the worst of winter weather ahead, shelter providers say there are not enough beds to meet the rising rate of homelessness in the city.

Providers of emergency housing in Omaha, Nebraska are fighting rising homelessness rates as housing costs grow in the city, reports Maria Cade for First Alert 6.
City leaders say they are focusing on chronic homelessness, defined as being unhoused for 12 months in a row or 12 months across a three-year span. “There’s very much a tie between the lack of affordable housing units, the lack of affordable housing options in our area and the rise in chronic homelessness which we’re currently experiencing,” said Chris Knauf, CEO of the Stephen Center.
Meanwhile, the coldest weather of the season is still ahead. Linda Twomey, Executive Director of Siena Francis House, says the number of shelter beds available in the city doesn’t meet demand. The number of unhoused residents grew from 49 in 2019 to 230 in 2023, more than tripling. The city’s population, by contrast, grew by roughly 4 percent.
FULL STORY: Omaha metro organizations fighting chronic homelessness

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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