Homelessness
States’ housing assistance sites get a ‘human-centered’ makeover
Based on feedback from homeless shelter residents, federal officials have worked to improve housing webpages for all 50 states over the past year. The site updates launched late last month.
This Atlanta neighborhood hired a case manager to address rising homelessness—and it’s improving health and safety for everyone
COMMENTARY | Hiring a social worker to help people experiencing homelessness is a sharp contrast to the punitive approach condoned by the Supreme Court.
The next front in the war over homelessness is on the Arizona ballot
Conservatives want to use the criminal justice system to force unhoused people into treatment. It may do more harm than good.
Six years ago, this state shut down a massive downtown homeless shelter. Now it’s planning to build an even bigger one.
The three smaller facilities that replaced the main shelter aren't working, officials say.
Survey: Americans think cities can't arrest their way out of the homelessness crisis
Supportive services and more government action is needed to reduce and prevent homelessness, according to a recent public opinion poll.
Can parking garages alleviate the housing and homelessness crisis?
COMMENTARY | There are hundreds of underutilized—sometimes empty—parking garages and lots across the country. They can be converted to much-needed housing.
Homelessness can’t be cut big-time? Don’t tell Sacramento.
COMMENTARY | Since 2022, overall homelessness in the city and county has decreased by more than a quarter. Officials credit intergovernmental collaboration and commitment.
New bans on panhandling in medians spark debate over free speech rights
The efforts to pass pans have grown amid a nationwide homelessness crisis, with more people visibly soliciting money in the streets, and higher pedestrian deaths compared with before the pandemic.
Western cities won the right to clear homeless encampments—but will they use it?
California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order encouraging cities to “move with urgency” to clear out camps. The move, which is at odds with others in the West, follows a Supreme Court ruling in June.
A California medical group treats only homeless patients—and makes money doing it
Since its launch three years ago, Healthcare in Action has cared for about 6,700 homeless patients and has placed about 300 people into permanent or temporary housing.
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It’s OK to ban homeless people from camping in public, high court rules
The U.S. Supreme Court sided with states and cities, saying anti-camping laws are not “cruel and unusual punishment” and that the laws of Grants Pass, Oregon, did not punish people for being homeless.
Utah Gov. Cox to homeless providers: Produce results, or you could lose funding
Policymakers need to focus more on accountability—while also not forgetting compassion, the governor said.
Texas schools illegally suspended thousands of homeless students—and nobody stopped them
Hundreds of districts have illegally suspended students over the past five years, according to data obtained from the Texas Education Agency, denying students access to the food, shelter and education often found only on campus.
Amid record high NYC homeless student population, calls grow for laundry machines in schools
More than 1,600 public schools offers on-site laundry services, allowing students who live in temporary housing or who otherwise lack access to such facilities to wash their clothes while at school.
San Francisco tries tough love by tying welfare to drug rehab
Starting in January 2025, public assistance recipients who screen positive for addiction on a 10-question drug abuse test will be referred to treatment. Those who refuse or fail to show up for treatment will lose their benefits.
As cities ban them from public spaces, homeless people scatter in search of refuge
Attorneys say bans could become more common nationwide if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns lower-court rulings in Oregon and Idaho that protect homeless people from being ticketed, charged or arrested for sleeping on public property.
Anxiety over squatters inspires a wave of legislation
Opponents of the bills call the trend a ‘manufactured crisis’ that could affect legitimate tenant protections.
Justices debate whether cities can make sleeping outside a crime
Cities worry they could have to “surrender” public places if an Oregon city’s anti-camping law is struck down by the Supreme Court, while advocates say the city rules criminalize being homeless.
Housing gets big boost in Biden budget
The president is proposing funds to increase tax credits, support construction of affordable housing and reduce homelessness.
Mayors, experts discuss the solution and barriers to ending homelessness
Amid a homelessness crisis nationwide, Houston and Los Angeles have housed thousands of people under a “housing first” approach.
