Latest news with #housinginsecurity
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
SNAP cuts will worsen Indianapolis' housing crisis for working families
IndyStar's recent article, "'A gut punch': Indy program that offered parking spots to people living in autos shuts down," reported that Safe Park Indy, a program offering safe overnight parking in addition to food and other resources for people living in their vehicles, closed due to overwhelming demand on Aug. 13. According to founder Elizabeth Friedland, the wait list had over 400 people. A survey of those on the wait list showed that 28% had attended college, 8% had a bachelor's degree and half had at least one job, including social workers, nurses and teachers. It's important to recognize that housing insecurity affects people from all walks of life, including students trying to stay enrolled while living in their cars. It's also vital to recognize that housing insecurity and food insecurity are intimately related. When SNAP benefits increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, food insecurity dropped, especially among low-income households. Students stayed in school. Families could breathe. Every $1 in SNAP benefits also generates about $1.50 in economic activity, and in some studies, up to $1.79. Opinion: We can't make Indiana healthy again until we fix our food supply With sweeping federal cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, things will likely get worse for these Indianapolis residents forced to live in their vehicles. Local programs simply don't have the resources to make up for cuts. Slashing $186 billion from nutrition programs and adding work requirements for recipients up to age 64 will only shift costs to emergency rooms, shelters and schools. Julie Hoggatt is a social work professional in Central Indiana. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Why SNAP cuts make Indianapolis housing crisis worse | Letters Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
12-08-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Halifax's homeless population nearly doubled in 2 years, new data shows
Homelessness is on the rise in Halifax, according to new data collected by the Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia. Last week, Halifax regional council was given a presentation on the municipality's "point-in-time" count, which outlines the number of people experiencing homelessness in the region over a two-year period. In 2022, there were 586 people without a proper home in the municipality. That number increased to 1,132 in 2024, marking a 93 per cent increase in those two years. "There's definitely an increase in housing insecurity and food insecurity that we can't ignore," Marni Yuke, chief program officer at Souls Harbour Rescue Mission, told CBC Radio's Information Morning Nova Scotia. The mission operates several homeless shelters across the province to help address the issue. Despite the increase, the count found that in the same two-year period, there were 50 per cent fewer people sleeping rough. Yuke said this is likely due to their opening of a new men's shelter in February, and the opening of tiny homes and Pallet shelters in HRM. "It's like a balancing act," Yuke said. "We did open more beds to try and get people off the streets and out of living rough, but there's still a big problem, I would say, on our hands," she said, adding that their new 33-bed men's shelter on Brunswick Street is full every night. Dwight Thorne is one person who has been staying there. Originally from Newfoundland, Thorne came to Halifax for work, but was unexpectedly laid off by his employer. Without any money or a plan to return home, he ended up living on the streets. Souls Harbour was able to give him a bed, but he said he still feels uncertain about his future. He said he's planning to return to Newfoundland with the help of income support services. "That's my best option right now because I don't know — I can't, I can't sustain [it]. This lifestyle, it gets exhausting." More people coming to the shelters Yuke said as more people come into the shelter for help, she's been seeing some trends develop. One is that the rescue mission is seeing more people with disabilities, especially those in wheelchairs. It has also seen an increase in people who need access to showers and hygiene products. Through their daily "free mart," she said they give out about 70-80 hygiene products every day. "It's not just food insecurity and housing insecurity," Yuke said. "It's like everyday-items insecurity — of having a shower or having just soap or deodorant or a clean pair of socks or underwear — stuff we kind of take for granted that we would just normally just pull out of our drawer or have in the cabinet, people just don't have." Yuke said along with these trends, the rescue mission has also seen an influx of people experiencing homelessness for the first time. She said that's typically due to job losses and the high cost of living which often leads to evictions. "As we're fixing some problems in some places, it's coming up in other places," she said. MORE TOP STORIES
CBC
12-08-2025
- General
- CBC
Halifax's homeless population nearly doubled in 2 years, new data shows
Homelessness is on the rise in Halifax, according to new data collected by the Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia. Last week, Halifax regional council was given a presentation on the municipality's "point-in-time" count, which outlines the number of people experiencing homelessness in the region over a two-year period. In 2022, there were 586 people without a proper home in the municipality. That number increased to 1,132 in 2024, marking a 93 per cent increase in those two years. "There's definitely an increase in housing insecurity and food insecurity that we can't ignore," Marni Yuke, chief program officer at Souls Harbour Rescue Mission, told CBC Radio's Information Morning Nova Scotia. The mission operates several homeless shelters across the province to help address the issue. Despite the increase, the count found that in the same two-year period, there were 50 per cent fewer people sleeping rough. Yuke said this is likely due to their opening of a new men's shelter in February, and the opening of tiny homes and Pallet shelters in HRM. "It's like a balancing act," Yuke said. "We did open more beds to try and get people off the streets and out of living rough, but there's still a big problem, I would say, on our hands," she said, adding that their new 33-bed men's shelter on Brunswick Street is full every night. Dwight Thorne is one person who has been staying there. Originally from Newfoundland, Thorne came to Halifax for work, but was unexpectedly laid off by his employer. Without any money or a plan to return home, he ended up living on the streets. Souls Harbour was able to give him a bed, but he said he still feels uncertain about his future. He said he's planning to return to Newfoundland with the help of income support services. "That's my best option right now because I don't know — I can't, I can't sustain [it]. This lifestyle, it gets exhausting." More people coming to the shelters Yuke said as more people come into the shelter for help, she's been seeing some trends develop. One is that the rescue mission is seeing more people with disabilities, especially those in wheelchairs. It has also seen an increase in people who need access to showers and hygiene products. Through their daily "free mart," she said they give out about 70-80 hygiene products every day. "It's not just food insecurity and housing insecurity," Yuke said. "It's like everyday-items insecurity — of having a shower or having just soap or deodorant or a clean pair of socks or underwear — stuff we kind of take for granted that we would just normally just pull out of our drawer or have in the cabinet, people just don't have." Yuke said along with these trends, the rescue mission has also seen an influx of people experiencing homelessness for the first time. She said that's typically due to job losses and the high cost of living which often leads to evictions. "As we're fixing some problems in some places, it's coming up in other places," she said.
Yahoo
10-08-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Fresh start offered to adults facing homelessness at community
Adults facing homelessness or housing insecurity are being offered a fresh start at a community on the Suffolk border. Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney is welcoming new applications for rooms at its base in Ditchingham, providing stable accommodation, support and work opportunities for those affected by homelessness, trauma or mental health challenges. Cecile Roberts, chief executive officer at Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney, said: "After experiencing homelessness, trauma or mental health issues, we know having a safe space to pause and take stock is vital. "At Emmaus, we offer the chance for people to recover in a beautiful, rural therapeutic space and escape the social isolation felt by so many while experiencing homelessness. "We support people to rebuild, gain self-confidence and look positively towards the future. "If you or someone you know is experiencing or at risk of homelessness or are insecurely housed, please do get in touch with our friendly support team." The community home at Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney (Image: Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney) The charity currently supports up to 52 people at its site, the former All Hallows Community, where each resident, known as a companion, is given their own room, three meals a day and access to communal facilities. Support is available for men and women in shared or gender-specific housing. Dedicated workers help companions identify barriers, access counselling and plan for a more secure future. Work experience and skills training are offered through the charity's social enterprises, including a shop, a cafe and a property clearance service. Adults aged 18 and over who are rough sleeping, vulnerably housed or at risk of homelessness are eligible to apply. For more information, visit email garethjones@ or call 01986 895444.
Yahoo
28-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Homelessness charity calls for clearer government strategy to tackle crisis
A homelessness charity has called for greater clarity on the Government's strategy to tackle rising housing insecurity. Alabaré, which supports vulnerable people across the South West and Wales, has warned that more action is needed to prevent homelessness and improve long-term outcomes. The call comes as new figures from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government reveal that more than 131,000 households were living in temporary accommodation between January and March - a 12 per cent increase on the previous year. Read more People invited to take part in sleepout at Stonehenge for charity Former military leader named as next chairman of homelessness charity Football club to donate bar sales to homelessness charity Alabaré has called for Government action on homelessness. (Image: Alabaré) Andrew Lord, CEO of Alabaré, said: "The rising numbers of people being pushed into poverty and ultimately homelessness are frightening, and we feel it's vital that the government sets out a clear plan, with the support of charities like ours, to turn the corner and make sure those who need the help have access to it." Alabaré provides accommodation and support for people who are homeless or at risk, including veterans, young people and individuals with learning disabilities. The charity also offers emergency and temporary beds for those experiencing mental health crises, along with drop-in services. Mr Lord said: "We'd like to see the Government stick to their commitment of funding for affordable housing and to make sure support services can help people long-term, as well as in times of crisis."
