Homelessness is an issue that impacts millions of people and families globally. Each year, an estimated 4.2 million youth and young adults experience homelessness in the United States. Often, when you’re homeless, you feel this sense of forlornness, abandonment, sadness, hopelessness, loneliness, and loss. Even though housing is a human right, many people don’t have that sense of security and stability.
To change this global issue, we must identify its circumstances. Structural factors as well as economic and societal issues have contributed to homelessness. System failures and lack of structural support can require vulnerable people to turn to the homelessness sector. Paperwork and documentation challenges, behavioral concerns, and financial struggle are all issues that can hinder you from obtaining housing, adding to this wide-ranging issue.
Preventing homelessness before it starts is critical to ending it. The key to changing the global issue is through outreach and planning. We need strategies that redefine what is possible to end homelessness through rapid housing, permanent housing, affordable housing, and shared housing. We need to address housing discrimination that perpetuates disparities and start investment that targets chronically and episodically homeless people.
We need to create new programs while supporting existing ones. Assistance with affordable housing is one possible solution that can help foster youth obtain and retain housing after foster care. The Chafee Program gives states money to help children aging out of foster care. Other solutions can include independence initiatives and connections, a transitional plan from supervised participation to independent living arrangement, an aftercare coordinator, an emergency crisis response plan, referrals for additional services, and long-term stability plans.
An aftercare housing plan needs to be developed and in line when transitioning out of care. It is important to have these things in place as a safety net. Knowing your needs when leaving care is important to have the tools in place to prevent barriers. The Homebase program can be a solution in an aftercare housing plan. My aftercare housing plan was independent living, which worked wonderfully for me. I am so thankful for that option and housing solution. It is great to live independently and have that support in stability in place to help you sustain your housing and personal needs. Becoming a successful adult takes support & planning.
At one point, I was at risk of being homeless. But, thankfully I am in supportive housing where its goal is to keep you housed and thriving in the community. I felt homeless because it was a renovation that needed to be done where I was misplaced. It felt like I had lost everything. Luckily, supportive housing is funded where they have a service plan in place to help you address your needs. For this reason, supportive housing is highly recommended for preventing homelessness.
It is important to strengthen connections between private programs, including programs that address poverty. Advocacy, action, and speaking up is needed in favor of recommending supporting needs. It also helps to identify and develop self-advocacy skills. Advancing policy priorities through the appropriate policymakers can also take action to create change. We must be forceful about improvement and shift the narrative around accessible housing.
A home is a safe place, sanctuary, foundation, and peace of mind. It is a place to revamp, regather, and reset. It can create belonging and attachment to that residence. A home is a place where you can be secure and establish healthy living. Change can only happen when you clarify and reinforce priorities. We all need a place to call home. Making a difference is what matters. Let’s change this matter!
