Can things really change?

Noticeable impacts.

International

As of right now Finland has created a Housing First initiative to make sure that individuals are housed directly after they become homeless. They are given permanent housing in low cost rental flats with contracts and tailored support for any issues that may arise. The main point of this initiative is to attempt to end homelessness as it starts instead of managing it. All of this is done unconditionally instead of having the long process of examining each candidate to see if their “worthy of housing” or not. According to Dawn Foster, a British journalist, the only problem encountered by Finland with this program is that some people in NGO’s have had a hard time accepting the idea of unconditional housing.

(via theguardian.com)

Nationwide

The organization Community Solutions has launched a project called Built for Zero, in which they help communities nationwide to eliminate homelessness. By cataloging live data of the individuals who are experiencing homelessness in that community, collaborating with the housed and unhoused community members, and addressing the systemic barriers that stand in their way, the Built for Zero project has begun creating change in over 80 communities across the United States and housed approximately 131,535 individuals.

(via community.solutions)

Local

In our very own city of angels, Measure H has had a noticeable impact on the homeless population in just a few short years. Thousands of individuals have been provided with emergency shelter, rehousing, advocacy, and more, all throughout LA county. Families moving into new homes, reformed inmates finding new careers, and individuals inspired to help others in similar situations. Though Los Angeles is still one of the leading cities in the country in terms of homeless populations, there has been some progress made in the last few years.

(via homeless.lacounty.gov)