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Portland wanted to shelter every homeless family. The plan backfired, but it offers lessons for Seattle.

Scott Greenstone

August 24, 2018 |

The Seattle Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon embraced the idea of not turning anyone away from homeless shelters a couple of years ago, but the well-meaning approach quickly ballooned in costs and ultimately was unable to fulfill its promise. However, the failure provides lessons for other cities considering similar initiatives - particularly, which kind of restraints and supports must exist to make "housing as a human right" more than just a slogan.

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How having space — even small enough to hold a cellphone — is helping Chicago's homeless

Alison Bowen

August 01, 2018 |

Chicago Tribune |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

Though homelessness is an entrenched and complex problem, small solutions can make a difference in the daily life of homeless individuals. Lockers for overnight cell phone storage in a homeless shelter in Chicago are significant: people can wake up with a sense of security, knowing their phones will be available to help find jobs or stay in touch with loved ones. This is part of the Chicago Youth Storage Initiative, which as since funded 755 storage unites at homeless shelters across Chicago.

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Motel owners see altruism and opportunity in sheltering the homeless

Deepa Fernandes

June 28, 2018 |

KCRW |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

In Los Angeles, motel owners are teaming up with homeless services providers to offer up their rooms to people experiencing homelessness. The partnership means that motel owners can turn over the day-to-day operations to someone else while turning a consistent profit, and service providers have a consistent offer of affordable housing for those who need it. The city is now planning to formalize the program through an Ordinance, although not all motel owners are convinced the program makes sense for their business.

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Inside One of Oakland's 'Tuff Shed' Homeless Communities

Brian Watt Erika Kelly

June 28, 2018 |

KQED |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Oakland, California

Twenty Tuff Sheds form a safe community for homeless individuals in Oakland, California. As an alternative to a tent encampment, this “cabin community” provides social services and temporary shelter for people hoping to transition out of homelessness. The solution has helped 57 people so far, and it is showing members of the cabin community that people care about their well-being.

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Women's Homelessness Is a Growing Problem. Denver Is Pioneering a Solution.

Jennifer Oldham

March 15, 2018 |

Slate |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Denver, Colorado

Denver’s Women’s Homelessness Initiative (WHI) is unique because it is the only church-based shelter program in the country that offers housing for women throughout the entire year. By giving women a place to stay off the streets, they are safer and have a better chance at getting back on their feet, aided by a subsidized housing program for formerly homeless people.

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Kenton Women's Village Provides Homes To Homeless Women

Allison Frost Andrew Dorn

December 18, 2017 |

Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) |

Multi-Media |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Portland, Oregon

Providing people with safety and stability can help to break the poverty cycle. In the Kenton neighborhood of Portland, Oregon, the Kenton Women’s Village provides shelter and support for homeless women. The community is supported by staff of the Catholic Charities and the Kenton Neighborhood Association, but is largely run by the women who live there.

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How a Three Course Meal Gives Dignity for Those Without a Home

Jem Collins

October 17, 2017 |

EachOther |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom, London, England

An organization named FEAST! in London offers a high-quality meal once a week in a homeless shelter using excess food from supermarkets. Not only does this tackle the issue of food waste, but it also aims to fill in the nutritional gaps left in the diets of those who are homeless and provides some dignity in a conversation over a community meal. The program has been running since 2015, and both the volunteers and recipients testify to the impact it has had on their lives.

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New York Just Gave Low-Income Tenants a Big Weapon in Housing Court: A Lawyer

Henry Grabar

July 21, 2017 |

Slate |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

"Nationwide, 90 percent of landlords have attorneys, but 90 percent of tenants do not." New York City is combating this inequality with a new law guaranteeing lawyers to defend low-income tenants in housing court. The goal: prevent unjustified evictions and keep people housed.

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Smarter Design for Skid Row

Liz Wolfe

June 28, 2017 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

Mitigating homelessness on Los Angeles' infamous "Skid Row" comprises myriad obstacles. But a collaboration between city officials, a USC architecture class project, and the Skid Row Housing Trust has responded with a multi-pronged solution in "pod-style" housing units. They have composed a cost-effective pre-fab design technology that eases their transportation, on-site construction and visual imposition on a neighborhood, while the pods' zoning classification as "congregant housing" minimizes the risk for local opposition to homeless support services on claims of structural or aesthetic noncompliance.

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Rethinking Homeless Shelters From the Ground Up

Krutika Pathi

June 28, 2017 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

The homeless population in NYC stands at the highest number since the Great Depression. The Bowery Residents Committee has suggested changes to how shelters emerge, run and are funded. With a focus on results-based funding, the BRC advocates for the prioritization of impact on the people served. It rewards locations that demonstrate a high ratio of people moving in to those returning; "building to the function" of helping people re-enter society; and eliminating private landlords.

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