Did you know that almost one-third of the unhoused population are women? 

There’s a phrase I like to use, “Don’t let the great be the enemy of the good.” It means that sometimes a not ideal solution is better than no solution while you’re looking for the perfect solution.

I wanted to take a moment to talk about a number that has been weighing heavily on my heart. Did you know that there are over a half million people in America without a place to call home? 582,462 moms, dads, children, friends and loved ones to be exact. That’s larger than the population of Sacramento, CA. 

A few weeks ago I was made painfully aware on Instagram of just how many people still don’t know that many people experiencing homelessness are already employed. We posted a video, and the comment section lit up with people sharing many common myths about homelessness.

Too many of us believe that homelessness is simply the result of an individual’s poor decision-making. This widespread assumption inevitably leads to the feeling that it is their choice, instead of acknowledging and fixing the complex and systemic issues that cause and maintain homelessness. I like to say that if someone chose homelessness, what were the other choices they had?

There is a common misconception that drug addiction and alcohol abuse lead to homelessness. However, studies have found that in many cases, it is actually the other way around. Homelessness often precedes addiction, and substance abuse can be a powerful coping mechanism. It is crucial to understand the complexities of addiction and homelessness to help individuals overcome these challenges and find a new life on the other side.

As someone who cares deeply about our community, I want to dispel myths about homelessness and unemployment. Did you know that 53% of people living in homeless shelters are employed either full or part-time? That's right, despite their hard work, they are still unable to afford housing due to a crippling combination of low wages and a lack of affordable housing. 

As an advocate for homelessness, I wanted to share a powerful story that I recently came across in the New York Times. The article, written by Tracy Kidder, is about a doctor named Jim O'Connell, who has dedicated his life to caring for the homeless population in Boston. What makes his approach unique is his commitment to listening to the stories of the people he serves.

As an advocate for homelessness, I wanted to share a powerful story that I recently came across in the New York Times. The article, written by Tracy Kidder, is about a doctor named Jim O'Connell, who has dedicated his life to caring for the homeless population in Boston. What makes his approach unique is his commitment to listening to the stories of the people he serves.

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia Fudge was recently interviewed by NPR. In her interview, Secretary Fudge noted that the issues causing homelessness - namely housing affordability and housing discrimination - were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and that the general public does not even realize the populations that are being hit the hardest.

Forbes recently spoke with Dr. Jim O’Connell, president of Boston Health Care for the Homeless, about “Housing First” - a model that believes that permanent, supportive housing is the key to helping people experiencing homelessness.

The number of people who are unhoused has reached unprecedented levels not seen since the Great Depression.

According to Project Renewal, it is also more cost-effective to fund supportive housing than shelters, saving agencies over $25,000 annually per person.

Have you ever wondered what happens to people when they try to put their lives back together after being incarcerated? Spoiler alert, it's not easy.

Today I wanted to bring awareness to the obstacles that someone experiencing homelessness has to face to access public services. 

The New York Times recently posted an article about a man named Dwayne Seifforth. Dwayne spent four years sleeping on the street and one year in the shelter system

Winter has arrived, bringing with it icy precipitation, extremely low and dangerous temperatures, and biting winds that inspire dreams of tropical beaches and backyard BBQs.

This is a special time of year. For many of us, it is a time to celebrate hope and miracles. A time to gather with loved ones to honor traditions and delight in the comfort of favorite dishes.

Experiencing homelessness is often extremely lonely. We often associate homelessness with financial poverty or a lack of material possessions, but one of the hardest aspects of experiencing homelessness is the loss of relationships. 

I want to share some ways I interact with individuals to build community with our neighbors experiencing homelessness.