The U.K. repeals anti-homelessness law
There’s been a shift in policing attitudes overall, with police forces saying that they were moving away from arresting people under this act in favor of more “meaningful solutions.”
Homelessness
Rajasthan trials more holistic approach to combat homelessness
The four-month program offers practical skill training and emotional support to 100 homeless men. Participants are provided with food and a room, as well as a stipend exceeding India’s minimum wage.
Veteran homelessness in the U.S. decreased by nearly 50% between 2009 and 2018
Many veterans have connected with rapid re-housing through the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Supportive Services for Veteran Families program. In 2015 alone, the SSVF program helped nearly 100,000 veterans and about 35,000 children remain in their homes or quickly exit homelessness,
Brighton & Hove the first U.K. city to adopt the Homeless Bill of Rights
The bill of rights was originally drawn up in 2017 to encourage cities and councils to recognize the rights of the homeless. The document was compiled of basic rights drawn from human rights law.
Austin redirects police funding to buy transitional housing for homeless
The Austin City Council voted unanimously to purchase the Texas Bungalow Hotel & Suites for $6.7 million. The hotel is slated to become transitional housing for people experiencing homelessness.
Amazon launches $2 billion fund to make 20,000 affordable homes for working families
The Housing Equity Fund will invest more than $2 billion to preserve and create over 20,000 affordable housing units in Washington State’s Puget Sound; Arlington, Virginia; and Nashville, Tennessee.
Canadian experiment giving homeless people $7500 proves promising
The New Leaf project took 115 homeless people who were confirmed not to have serious mental or substance abuse problems, and put $7,500 in the pockets of 50 of them to see if they could turn their life around. One entire year later, most recipients still had $1,000 in savings and 67% were could still feed themselves every day.
New York halts evictions indefinitely due to coronavirus pandemic
The move came after tenant advocates and elected officials argued that evictions during this public health crisis would drive up homelessness and worsen the spread of COVID-19.