The number of people experiencing homelessness continues to climb in the U.S. – roughly 580,000 people experienced homelessness on a single night in January 2020. Abt produced Part 1 of HUD’s Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress (AHAR), which found that unsheltered homelessness rates are up seven percent from 2019. Click for the report’s full findings and insight on COVID-19 impact.
This Bloomberg CityLab article unpacks Abt’s first-of-its-kind study on homeless encampments for HUD, notably addressing the costs of closures and the reasons for the rise in camps. Nichole Fiore and Lauren Dunton provide context to the findings.
Homelessness. COVID-19. Each is a crisis in its own right, but Abt’s recent work with HUD and CDC highlights the benefits of addressing homelessness and public health as related challenges. In the new episode of The Intersect, Natalie Matthews and Terri Mota connect the dots and discuss how we can do more moving forward to support people experiencing homelessness.
On April 9, HUD allocated $5 billion to cities and states to address homelessness through the HOME program, which provides grants to state and local governments to create affordable housing for low-income households. Jill Khadduri dives into the roots and current state of the affordable housing crisis, emphasizing the positive impact housing voucher programs can have on people experiencing homelessness and providing recommendations on how the new HOME funds should be spent.
Fair housing, equity, and well-being are all interconnected, with housing playing a central role by affecting so many of our life outcomes. Explore how Abt works with communities and partners to advance fair housing, good health, economic opportunities, and environmental quality.
This brief presents the methods Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) agencies use to identify families experiencing homelessness, the extent to which agencies use TANF funds to provide housing services to those families, and more. Abt’s research found many states do not specifically target their TANF funds to assist families experiencing homelessness, and there is no uniform process for states to use for identifying these families.
Over the past half-century, U.S. households, especially renters, have seen a dramatic shift in their budgets. Rents have risen, incomes have not kept pace, and renter households now spend more of their incomes on shelter. Drawing from the authors’ experience with the National Community of Practice on Local Housing Policy, this report shows what cities, towns, and counties can do to alleviate this issue.
Roslyn M. Brock, a nationally recognized civil rights, health policy, and equity advocate, joined Abt as its first Chief Global Equity Officer. Brock is Chairman Emeritus of the National Board of Directors for the NAACP. In her new role, Brock is responsible for designing an external and internal global Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion strategy that achieves mission impact and drives business results.
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