This Week in Homelessness (TWIH) - March 19-25

Andalusia, Spain Addresses Community Homelessness

The government of Andalusia, an autonomous community located in southern Spain, began the week with a meeting regarding people experiencing homelessness in their region. The regional delegate for Equality, Health and Social Policies in the city of Almería, José María Martín, met with Caritas Diocesana de Almería to learn more about the projects the organization has under development to address homelessness. Going forward, this delegation will maintain dialogue across all other organizations in the region, who focus on and serve vulnerable populations, on a permanent basis to strengthen collective efforts towards addressing homelessness and other related issues.The Homeless Care Program of Cáritas Diocesana de Almería has received more than 61,300 euros to carry out the program's goals of enabling Andalusia residents to exercise their fundamental rights - including access to the health system, housing, the labor market, education and justice.

Read the full article here.

San Diego's Homelessness Forum

The city of San Diego, California held a forum addressing homelessness this past Monday, March 20th. During the forum, city leaders discussed several new programs that will aim at ending homelessness, some already underway and others still in development. Some of the work of these new programs include expansion, or increased capacity, of shelters, an increase of affordable housing, homelessness prevention tactics and access to related services, such as health care and substance abuse assistance. The San Diego forum also featured a discussion regarding new approaches to analyze programs that are already in place to evaluate effectiveness and opportunity for improvement, including a countywide computer system to track people seeking homelessness services. During the forum, permanent housing and more services were praised as crucial solutions to the homelessness.

Read the full article here.

FEANTSA Releases Its Second Report on Housing Exclusion in Europe

The European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless (FEANTSA) released their second overview of housing exclusion in European countries this week, in collaboration with the French housing charity, Fondation Abbé Pierre. Their latest report discusses the rising rates of homelessness across all countries in Europe, with the exception of Finland. The overview covers a range of topics, including breakdowns of the state of homelessness by certain countries and cities, housing costs, and demographics of the populations experiencing homelessness. The organization suggests that, although the tools necessary to combat housing exclusion and homelessness exist, there is a need for clear European incentives to provide greater momentum to proven solutions to homelessness and housing issues. FEANTSA is calling for European Union (EU) member states to make eradication of homelessness a priority by placing it at the core of their social policy agendas.

Read the full article here.

Odisha, India

According to a 2011 census, there are a total of 6,650 people experiencing homelessness in Odisha, a state in eastern India. According to a Times of India article published this week, the Odishan government is planning to take action to combat the issue.

The state government has asked all district collectors - administrative service officers in charge of revenue collection and administration of a specific district in India - to conduct a survey to gather information on homelessness and prepare action plans to address the issue. The action plans are expected to include housing, health care and training for employment. Proposed plans are to be submitted to the state government by the end of April 2017 and the best proposed plan is said to receive funding.

Read the full article here.

Haringey, London Will Increase Funding To Tackle Rough Sleeping

Haringey, a borough in North London, has received extra funding towards prevention and eradication of homelessness - rough sleeping. The council has been given two grants through the North London Housing Partnership, one £917,500 grant that will be allocated towards a prevention program. The funding has been secured from the Department of Communities and Local Government Homelessness Prevention Program. The programs' agendas include increased emergency accommodation and mental health and substance abuse support services. The programs will also ensure Haringey can appoint a dedicated Rough Sleeping Strategy and Monitoring Coordinator to work with North London authorities and the Greater London Authority to implement effective plans to improve the issue.

Read the full article here.

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