here is my presentation about Disrupting homelessness in our community

1. Disrupting homelessness in our
community

2. What are the root causes of
homelessness in our community and
how can we disrupt the current
structures that perpetuate it?

3. Defining homelessness
The definition of those who are experiencing homelessness includes: An
individual or family who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime
residence, such as those living in emergency shelters, transitional housing, or
places not meant for habitation, Or an individual or family who will imminently
lose their primary nighttime residence (within 14 days), provided that no
subsequent housing has been identified and the individual/family lacks support
networks or resources needed to obtain housing, or Unaccompanied youth
under 25 years of age, or families with children and youth who qualify under
other Federal statutes, such as the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, have not
had a lease or ownership interest in a housing unit in the last 60 or more days,
have had two or more moves in the last 60 days, and who are likely to continue
to be unstably housed because of disability or multiple barriers to employment,
or An individual or family who is fleeing or attempting to flee domestic
violence, has no other residence, and lacks the resources or support networks
to obtain other permanent housing
In 2022, the number of Homeless Estimate in Duval County was 1,0
compared to Florida at 25,810.

4. Root causes of homelessness
Loss of income, low wages or unemployment: Any disruption for low-income
families – unexpected illness and medical expenses, unemployment, divorce, loss of
transportation, etc. – can create a financial crisis that results in loss of housing.
Lack of affordable housing: The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment
in Orlando requires an hourly wage of over $21.08 – putting it out of reach
for many working poor. A couple who are both employed full-time at
minimum wage ($8.25 per hour) can face significant hardship, preventing
them from meeting their other basic needs, such as nutrition and health
care, or saving for their future.
Domestic violence: Victims of domestic violence flee their homes,
sometimes with only the clothes on their backs. Nationally, approximately
50% of all women who are homeless report that domestic violence was the
immediate cause of their homelessness.
Substance abuse or mental illness: A common stereotype of the homeless
population is that they are all alcoholics or drug abusers. The truth is that a
high percentage of homeless people do struggle with substance abuse — but
it is both a cause and a result of homelessness, often arising after people
lose their housing. For many homeless individuals, substance abuse co-
occurs with mental illness as a way to self-medicate.

5. Homelessness and Structural issues
Structural issues such as lack of affordable housing, inadequate social
services, and limited job opportunities are some of the primary
contributors to homelessness in many communities. High housing costs,
low wages, and limited access to affordable healthcare can make it
difficult or even impossible for some individuals and families to meet
their basic needs. For example, someone who loses their job or
experiences a medical crisis that forces them to take time off work may
struggle to pay rent or keep up with other expenses, ultimately leading to
eviction and homelessness. In addition to housing insecurity, inadequate
social services such as mental health treatment, addiction support, and
family services for those with children can exacerbate the problem.
Access to these essential services can be limited or fragmented, making it
difficult for those in need to receive the help they require to get back on
their feet. Finally, limited job opportunities can mean that individuals
struggle to find stable employment that provides adequate pay and
benefits, further contributing to financial instability and homelessness.
These structural issues persist in many communities, but by
understanding how they contribute to homelessness, it is possible for
individuals and organizations to work together to create solutions that
disrupt these negative patterns and make positive change.

6. Disrupting current structures
Disruptive measures can be used to tackle the root causes and structural issues of
homelessness by seeking to uproot the existing conditions that created the problem in the
first place. These measures include addressing the social, economic, and political factors
that drive homelessness in a particular community. One of the most effective ways to
disrupt homelessness is to provide affordable housing. Programs that offer affordable
housing to homeless individuals and families have been proven to be successful in
reducing homelessness in several communities. For example, the Housing First program
in Utah provided housing to chronically homeless individuals and families, leading to an
87% reduction in chronic homelessness and saving the state over $8,000 per person per
year. Other disruptive measures include creating employment opportunities, providing
healthcare and social services, and prioritizing mental health and addiction treatment.
Additionally, public-private partnerships and collaborations among nonprofits, government
agencies, and community organizations can create effective solutions for the challenges
posed by homelessness. The Pathways to Housing program in New York City is another
example of a successful program that uses disruptive measures to address
homelessness. The program provides housing to homeless individuals who have been
deemed “difficult to serve,” such as those with criminal records, histories of substance
abuse, or mental health issues. Pathways to Housing then provides a range of support
services, including healthcare, mental health treatment, and job placement, to help
residents maintain housing stability. Finally, it is important to emphasize that disruptive
measures are not limited to housing and social services programs. They can also involve
political engagement and advocacy, such as organizing protests, lobbying elected
officials, and partnering with other community organizations to demand systemic changes
that address the root causes of homelessness.

7. Community solutions
Community-powered solutions to homelessness are essential for creating effective and sustainable responses to
the root causes and structural issues of homelessness. These solutions focus on harnessing the power of local
communities, individuals, organizations, and government agencies to create change.
Volunteering and donations are two of the most critical community-powered solutions to homelessness.
Volunteers can provide a range of essential services, including meal preparation, outreach, and support services,
while donations can fund programs and services that directly help homeless individuals. For example, food banks
and homeless shelters rely heavily on donations of food, clothing, and financial assistance from individuals and
local businesses.
Advocacy is another critical community-powered solution to homelessness, as it involves raising awareness and
mobilizing support for the issue to effect policy and systemic changes. Advocates can include individuals,
community organizations, and local government agencies. They can collectively push for housing policies that
prioritize affordable housing and the rights of homeless individuals, lobby for greater access to social and
healthcare services, and demand changes in the judicial system that disproportionately affect the homeless.
Collaboration between organizations and government agencies is another powerful community-powered solution.
The coordinated efforts of nonprofit organizations, charities, and local government entities can help to maximize
resources, create more effective programs that address the root causes of homelessness, and avoid duplication of
services. For example, government agencies can provide funding and technical support while nonprofit
organizations provide the on-the-ground services and support structures that are essential for helping homeless
individuals transition from living on the streets to secure, stable housing.
In conclusion, community-powered solutions to homelessness require an all-hands-on-deck approach, engaging
individual organizations, and government agencies in efforts to disrupt the root causes and structural issues of
homelessness. Through such partnerships, sustainable and effective solutions to homelessness can be created that
help homeless individuals regain their dignity and hope for the future.

8. Taking action against homelessness
taking action to disrupt the current structures that perpetuate
homelessness is crucial if we are to create meaningful and
positive change in our communities. By working together and
taking a comprehensive approach that engages individuals,
organizations, and government agencies, we can create lasting
solutions to homelessness and improve the lives of those
affected by it.

9. Resources and references
Some websites i used to help me
https://www.flhealthcharts.gov/ChartsDashboards/rdPage.aspx?rdReport=NonVitalIndNoGrpCounts.Dat
aviewer&cid=8675
https://www.centralfloridahomeless.org/the-
problem#:~:text=Loss%20of%20income%2C%20low%20wages,results%20in%20loss%20of%20housing.
https://showerup.org/what-can-local-communities-do-to-help-the-homeless/
https://endhomelessness.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/using-advocacy-to-end-homelessness.pdf