Matt Mahan’s Post

Right now, too many of us in the Bay Area struggle to afford housing, face threats of eviction, and experience homelessness. But there’s hope. We’re joining together, as neighbors and advocates — renters and landlords, homeowners and people experiencing homelessness — to unlock a new future for our communities where no one is left behind. For #AffordableHousingMonth we’re building a #BayArea where we value everyone’s humanity, where we treat everyone with justice and dignity, and where everyone belongs. https://loom.ly/ZrZvxmw

One of the really nice things about All Home's framework for how to plan investments around homelessness is that it recognizes a simple reality: you cannot decrease unsheltered homelessness without preventing more people entering (or returning to) homelessness. There is no question we need more permanent, deeply affordable homes. There is also no question that we need interim and temporary solutions that reduce harm and provide safety. Where the public sometimes doesn't see the full picture is that a good deal of the crisis is fueled by first-time homeless experiences and people who return to the street for a variety of complicated but addressable reasons. This plan has been around for a bit, but it's worth sharing just to help people see an important part of the picture in California - the critical, ongoing necessity of dramatic increases in prevention. https://lnkd.in/gV_D6FuA

A Housing First approach to ending homelessness is great for everyone, as a study by the National Low Income Coalition stated, this approach can generate $33,637 per year for the community. The Kitchen, Inc. practices this Housing First approach knowing that this is the first step to ending homelessness.

To end homelessness, we need more homes. Yet traditional housing models can be costly and time-consuming. The Step Up America model utilizes public-private partnerships to fund motel conversions, creating new permanent supportive housing at half or even a third of the cost and in a third of the time.

Here’s one thing I’ve learned during my time consulting with the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness: Many local landlords don’t need to be “sold” on the mission to permanently house 150 people by April 2024. Many landlords are already doing yeoman’s work to ensure their tenants have the support they need to stay in housing. The Landlord Housing Partnership provides case management support to tenants, and the Next Step Pilot coordinates resources to support its landlord partners. In addition to providing rental market analysis and gathering information about available units, part of my consulting work involves communicating the matrix of support the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness makes available to its partners on both the landlord and tenant side. The landlords I’ve cold called so far have been amazed to learn about the hold fees, rental assistance, case management, and repair funds that make partnering with the Coalition one of the most financially sensible options available. To learn more about this program or get started, visit the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness Next Step Pilot’s website today. #alaska #alaskarealestate #realestate #anchorage #anchoragehousing #anchoragecoalitiontoendhomelessness #homelessness #housing  https://lnkd.in/gmKhri2d.

Why is homelessness a systems problem? 🤔 “We must focus on: what is it about our community and our housing structure and our landlords and our other systems that is keeping that person on the street. How can we overcome that system barrier and house that person?" Homelessness is a solvable problem — but only if systems are designed to solve it. ➡️ Learn more: https://bit.ly/3sqU7TX

Why is the Hub Street Outreach program so important? 👉 It allows us to connect with unhoused individuals who might not yet know about the Hub. 👉 It helps build trust and relationships between our team and the individuals they serve. 👉 It allows us to identify and connect individuals to services they need to help them exit homelessness. 👉 It lets us educate the community and dispel stereotypes. 👉 It saves lives. https://bit.ly/47zzvat

The research is clear: Housing First is the most effective approach for ending homelessness. Prioritizing basic necessities like securing a place to live provides the foundation for a person experiencing homelessness to pursue other goals that will improve their quality of life. Not only does this approach benefit the person experiencing homelessness, but it's cost effective for communities. To learn more about Housing First, join the National Low Income Housing Coalition, National Alliance to End Homelessness, and Center on Budget and Policy Priorities for a webinar next Monday, August 14: https://bit.ly/3O32I5K

It's Homelessness Week, which is when we usually highlight the housing crisis. This year, it feels like that message is (finally) breaking through: The Federal Government is developing a 10-year National Housing and Homelessness Plan. But for the plan to make a real difference, we need it to be ambitious and to deliver the resources and reforms needed to end homelessness for good. It needs investment and all of us working together in the same direction. We'd love for everyone to take a look at the plan, think big, brainstorm solutions and have your say.   📄 Read the plan: https://lnkd.in/gz_VdaWr   👩🏾💻 Provide feedback: https://lnkd.in/gAWtYQ2e