News from the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness

August 11, 2015

Criminalizing Homelessness is not the Solution Although communities and policymakers sometimes turn to criminalization measures or practices that disperse people experiencing unsheltered homelessness, it is clear that such approaches do not help end homelessness and in fact are counterproductive. To end homelessness, we must provide pathways out of homelessness that link people with permanent housing opportunities matched with the right level of services to ensure stability and success.  Federal agencies are taking action to help support a focus on successful strategies. Last week, the Department of Justice filed a statement of interest in Federal district court in Idaho, arguing that it is unconstitutional to make it a crime to sleep in public places when there is insufficient shelter space for people experiencing homelessness. To help communities better address the needs of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness, USICH has issued Ending Homelessness for People Living in Encampments, a framework for developing local action plans that link people with permanent housing opportunities. Read the document to identify ways to strengthen your community's approach to working with people who are living in encampments. Linking Employment and Housing to Prevent and End Homelessness        USICH, DOL, HUD, and the Butler Family Fund are pleased to release Partnerships for Opening Doors, a new report that reflects the combined knowledge of the 11 communities, national organizations, and Federal partners who participated in the Partnerships for Opening Doors Summit.   Read the report, which highlights strong examples of ways communities can integrate employment and housing strategies to end homelessness and provides and recommendations for how the Federal government can better support local work. 12 Ways You Can Fund Rapid Re-Housing     Rapid re-housing can reduce the amount of time families experience homelessness by helping them move quickly into permanent housing while connecting them to community-based services. Beyond Emergency Solutions Grants, the Continuum of Care Program, or Supportive Services for Veteran Families grants, there are a variety of Federal funding sources that can be used for rapid re-housing. Review USICH's new document Federal Resources that Can Fund Rapid Re-Housing to identify funding sources that can expand rapid re-housing opportunities. July Council Meeting Focused on Ending Youth Homelessness and Homelessness Among Native Americans The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness convened on July 23 for the second Council meeting of the year.  Read the Council update for more details on topics discussed during the meeting. Read the blog by our community presenters to learn more about the work taking place in Portland, Maine, and in Multnomah County, Oregon, to end youth homelessness. Don't forget! Register for our upcoming webinar, Non-Time-Limited Housing for Youth, on August 13 at 1:00 PM EST.