Ypsi charity helps formerly homeless people furnish their new homes

New Orleans implemented an extraordinary 10-year plan that engaged unprecedented cross-sector collaboration between government, non-profit, and private entities to provide housing and housing services to the city's homeless veterans. The city's success in providing homes for every single veteran formerly on their streets motivated cities across the nation to tackle the crises using similar means, leading to a 1/3 decline veteran homelessness since 2010.

Efforts throughout Texas to reduce homelessness are serving as inspiration for states like California, that have similar homelessness issues. From committing funding to homeless reduction programs to establishing more advanced shelters like The Navigation Center, the state recorded a 28% drop in homelessness last year and has helped several individuals transition into permanent housing.

A real estate developer has teamed up with homelessness service organizations to house working families. The Lotus Campaign gives landlords $1,000 a year to rent a unit to a family that is at risk of homelessness or is already experiencing it. Rent is paid by the organization and any damages to the unit are covered. Landlords taking part in the program waive security deposits, credit checks, records of employment, and provide a 30-day window before seeking evictions. The pilot program intends to demonstrate that the private housing sector can alleviate homelessness if given the chance and the incentive.

A program that aims to help New Yorkers who are at risk of losing their homes has proven effective in keeping people housed. Studies have shown that it is difficult to transition out of homelessness so its goal is to prevent it entirely. The group operates in all five boroughs of NYC and has helped almost 30,000 people on its budget of $53 million. The program provides both cash and services: money for rent, utilities, legal aid to fight evictions and settle landlord disputes, in addition to job training.

The City of Seattle partnered with Zillow to create a searchable database of affordable vacant rental units. Case managers are using the tool to get homeless residents into housing.

Across the country, governments at every level are working to tackle homelessness. In Houston, connecting permanent housing to services has proven an effective strategy but it has required an increase in affordable housing stock and more strategic organization between non-profits and officials.

Seeking a solution to crowded sidewalks outside their storefronts and places of business, corporations have teamed up with the city of Philadelphia to help those facing homelessness. Programs such as Hub of Hope and the Mural Arts project provide people with free showers, laundry services, case management services, and a day of work and wages. Food pantries have also been set up, serving thousands of people and the Ambassadors of Hope team has helped 130 people into permanent housing. Homelessness is still a persistent problem in Philadelphia but the business community has helped alleviate it.

In Helsinki, Finland, the "Housing First" model, where housing is offered to those experiencing homelessness unconditionally is showing results. The program, which also can include services and is made possible in part due to an intentionally large supply of housing in Finland, has helped Finland become the only country in the EU to see a decrease in the number of people experiencing homelessness.

The Housing First model focuses on helping people experiencing homelessness to find stable housing and meet their basic needs before addressing anything else. It's taking off in cities across the United States.

The housing and homelessness nonprofit Community Solutions raised $135 million in private capital to create a fund to buy housing properties and keep them permanently affordable. It promises investors modest returns and looks to buy properties in good condition close to necessary services like grocery stores and health care.