Care For the Homeless Fall Policy Seminar

Policies to address homelessness in the United States are developed at both the federal and local levels. Much attention is paid to the initiatives at each of these levels of government, but there has been less attention to the interaction between the two. Understanding the synergy between federal and municipal policies and programs helps to inform us about how the whole can be greater than the sum of its parts. We also need this understanding to advocate more effectively for policy change. How does the federal government decide on the direction of the federal response and how does that affect localities? Who sets the policies and how are services delivered to achieve the desired outcome? How do localities maximize federal dollars to expand programs? What happens if there are differences in federal and local directions on homelessness policy?

With nearly 136,000 people living unhoused in New York, understanding the roles of the different levels of government is important to effectively implement solutions to homelessness. The goal of this discussion is for the attendees to walk away with an understanding of the federal government’s role in addressing homelessness and how that impacts New York City. How does a national response affect your community and what further interventions should we advocate for?

Care For the Homeless has over 39 years of experience providing care to individuals experiencing homelessness. We believe well-rounded services and policies are the only ways to end homelessness, which is why we are committed to providing excellent direct services for homeless single adults and families. We also conduct public education, research, and analysis of model programs and practices, thereby advocating for policies that create access to supportive services, increase permanent housing opportunities and prevent future homelessness.

The Care For the Homeless Policy Series features collaborative discussions with policymakers, academics, advocates, service providers, journalists, and people with the lived experience of homelessness. These discussions address issues of health care, housing, poverty, equity, social justice, and their intersection with addressing homelessness.