permanent housing

In a recent ruling that defies both logic and compassion, a federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s effort to reform the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Continuum of Care program — the federal government’s primary funding mechanism for homelessness assistance.

The lawsuit — filed by a coalition of 20 mostly Democratic-led states, local governments, and nonprofit organizations and spearheaded by groups such as Democracy Forward — warns of “funding gaps,” winter instability, and the potential displacement of people currently housed. These alarms are sounded even though HUD includes a nearly 12% increase over last year’s funding allocation.

At the core of the complaint is a revealing claim: that reform would “upend longstanding projects that have been thoughtfully developed to comport with evidence-based, best-practices services delivery.”

But HUD’s own data make clear that the evidence on which they have long relied is catastrophically wrong.

In a catastrophic miscalculation that exposes his continued attachment to failure, California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed Assembly Bill 255 on Oct. 1. It was a bipartisan measure designed to expand access to recovery housing for homeless individuals struggling with substance use disorders. His veto comes at a time when California’s homeless can least afford more failure. AB 255, authored by Assembly member Matt Haney, would have allowed up to 10% of state homelessness funds to support abstinence-based recovery housing. These programs integrate shelter with sobriety requirements, accountability and supportive services that help people reclaim stability. Newsom dismissed the bill as “unnecessary,” insisting that current guidelines already permit sober housing and warning against “duplicative” categories. His reasoning rings hollow. California mimicked Read More ›

Final Word Today, Governor Inslee @GovInslee confirmed that proviso language DOES NOT require offers of “permanent housing ” to homeless on state right of ways. This is a direct rebuke of @KC_RHA CEO Marc Dones’ interpretation. But will this change the pace of clearings?#Seattle @MayorofSeattle @kcexec @WSDOT Dones Responds During @KC_RHA Governing Committee meeting today, Dones walked back his recent statements about encampment outreach and “permanent housing” as a requirement. He now says congregate shelters are still an option. #Seattle Calling on Mayor Parents at John Stanford Int. School now begging @MayorofSeattle to take control from @WSDOT and lead encampment removals on state right of ways. Significant development this week as officials feel pressure to act swiftly. @GovInslee @KC_RHA @kcexec Read More ›