Homelessness

Los Angeles Smog Skyline Zoom

A 'Tiny Home Village' Grows in Los Angeles

The complex can house over 200 people and will provide bathrooms and social services for people transitioning out of homelessness.

August 23, 2021 - The Eastsider LA

Public Toilet

Opinion: Keep Public Toilets at L.A. Homeless Encampments

The city is planning to remove the hundreds of public toilets and hand-washing stations installed during the pandemic. But the need for them isn't going away.

August 3, 2021 - Los Angeles Times

Homeless Encampment

Austin Selects Two Potential Sites for Sanctioned Encampments

The city plans to install temporary housing and facilities as part of its efforts to reduce homelessness and help people move into permanent housing.

July 29, 2021 - Urbanize Austin

Denver, Colorado

Study: Housing First is a Success in Denver

Results from five years of Denver's Supportive Housing Social Impact Bond Initiative show that people and communities benefit from a 'Housing First' approach to homelessness.

July 22, 2021 - Urban Institute

Washington D.C.

New Homeless Plan for D.C. Aims for Post-Pandemic Reset

Washington, D.C. is looking to build on some past success, and recover from some setbacks, with the adoption of a new plan to address homelessness called Homeward 2.0.

July 19, 2021 - DCist

New York City Air Conditioners

New York Lags Behind California in Converting Hotels to Affordable Housing

While the Golden State has awarded $800 million in funds for 'Project Roomkey,' a bill passed by the New York State Senate languishes in the governor's office.

July 16, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab

People experiencing homelessness

When It Comes to Ending Homelessness, What Does 'Functional Zero' Really Mean?

"The idea of the word ‘functional’ in front of ‘zero’ is a reaction to the misperception that ending homelessness means no one ever experiences homelessness again."

June 16, 2021 - Next City

Motel 6 hotel room in Braintree, Massachusetts in 2015

Oregon's Version of Project Roomkey Offers Housing to Those Who Lost Homes to Wildfires

The program funds the purchase of hotels for housing people experiencing homelessness as housing costs in the state continue to rise.

June 15, 2021 - High Country News

Venice Beach, Los Angeles

Supportive Housing Bridging Venice Canals Granted Planning Commission Approval in L.A.

The mixed-use Reese Davidson Community will include 140 housing units, commercial space, and a performance space.

June 11, 2021 - The Architect's Newspaper

Subway Homeless

Homeless New Yorkers Lead a Push for Better Rental Vouchers

Until recently, New York City's local housing vouchers only covered about $1,250 in rent; the median rent on a NYC apartment is $2,600. Activism from current and formerly homeless New Yorkers helped change that.

June 9, 2021 - Next City

Coronavirus Social Distancing

FEMA Offers Full Reimbursement for Pandemic Shelter Costs—But Cities Are Still Jittery

Cities and counties have been slow to take advantage of the promise of full and retroactive FEMA reimbursement to expand emergency housing programs, frustrating housing advocates. What’s getting in the way?

May 16, 2021 - Shelterforce Magazine

Coronavirus and Homelessness

Homelessness During the Pandemic

A comic strip illustrates the humans behind remarkable resilience in the face of incredible risks.

May 10, 2021 - The Nib

Homeless Encampment

Austin Casts a Controversial Vote on Public Camping as the City Faces Growing Pains

Voters in Austin voted to reinstate a ban on public camping, taking steps to criminalize homelessness before the State Legislature could.

May 3, 2021 - Austin American-Statesman

Homeless Encampment

Texas Legislature Would Preempt Local Law to Ban Homeless Encampments

The state of Texas and the city of Austin are moving in opposite directions on how best to respond to the needs of people experiencing homelessness.

April 29, 2021 - The Texas Tribune

Vacant Lot

Unpermitted RV Park Faces Code Enforcement Pressure in Oakland

A controversy over the unpermitted use of RVs for shelter on an otherwise empty lot in West Oakland reveals a confluence of Bay Area housing crises.

April 28, 2021 - The Mercury News

California Homeless

Judge Presses Pause on Controversial Skid Row Housing Order

A 60-day grace period and some additional contingencies have been added to a court order for the city and county of Los Angeles to provide shelter or housing to the thousands of people experiencing homelessness on Skid Row in Downtown Los Angeles.

April 28, 2021 - Los Angeles Times

Portland Condo High-Rise

Housing Vouchers Prove an Effective Tool Against Homelessness

The Biden administration plans to expand the federal housing voucher program, which currently provides rental assistance to 2.3 million U.S. households.

April 27, 2021 - Next City

Los Angeles, California

Judge's Ruling Will Force L.A. to Reckon With Skid Row

A federal judge has ruled that the city and county of Los Angeles, home to the nation's largest population of people experiencing homelessness, must overcome the development delays that have prevented the creation of new supportive housing.

April 21, 2021 - Los Angeles Times

Austin, Texas

Tiny Homes Village Plans Big Expansion in Austin

The Community First Village, which offers homes and supportive services for people experiencing homelessness, is adding 127 acres to a 27-acre site.

April 18, 2021 - Urbanize Austin

Texas water tower

Abilene, Texas, Declares Victory Against Veteran and Chronic Homelessness

How a small central Texan city reached "functional zero" for veteran and chronic homelessness.

April 13, 2021 - Next City

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