Homeless Families Need Comprehensive Support for Long-Term Success

A recent article in the Washington Post, “More of America’s homeless are clocking into jobs each day,” sheds much-needed light on the homelessness and housing crisis in America. As the article outlines, with rent prices continuing to rise, people working hourly jobs are unable to afford rent along with other necessities.

To help end the homelessness crisis, it is imperative that we address the root causes of this issue and ensure that people not only have access to affordable housing but that we are providing people experiencing homelessness with the resources, skills and knowledge that they need to make a sustainable income and flourish in a community long-term.

My experience leading Homestretch and our focus on homelessness and domestic violence has caused this issue to hit close to home for me. Homestretch has helped families experiencing homelessness for over three decades achieve long-term success, with four in five families who graduate from our program remaining housed three to five years later. Additionally, the more than 2,200 families who have come through our program have graduated with nearly a 150 percent increase in income, which helps accommodate for roadblocks such as rising inflation and rent prices.

We achieve these results by providing education classes, transportation subsidies, credit and debt counseling, access to physical and mental health support, and workforce readiness services, as well as tailoring our approach to each individual family. While rapid rehousing and addressing the immediate housing crisis are essential for providing immediate relief, long-term solutions are crucial for creating sustainable and lasting impacts in our communities.

Some long-term strategies could include Affordable Housing Development by increasing the availability of affordable housing through policies that incentivize developers to create and maintain affordable units; Economic Empowerment by supporting small businesses and entrepreneurship, particularly in marginalized communities; and Policy Advocacy by pushing for increased funding for affordable housing programs and social services at the local, state, and federal levels.

By focusing on these long-term strategies, we can work towards creating a future where all individuals and families have access to safe, stable, and affordable housing, ultimately building stronger and more resilient communities.

It is essential that we continue to provide services and resources to families experiencing homelessness to rehabilitate and guide them through the current housing crisis. However, it is equally important that our leaders expand our approach to addressing homelessness to provide more affordable housing and comprehensive support for those experiencing homelessness, mimicking our success here at Homestretch.

- Barfonce Baldwin

Executive Director