December 19, 2022
Today, the U.S Interagency Council on Homelessness released its new Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness, All In. We are encouraged by the agency’s leadership through the Plan which promotes an evidence-based Housing First approach that includes housing and supports, choice, and voice.
These are important and effective strategies and approaches that reinforce what is proven to work within our systems as they currently stand and help to reduce harm and trauma on people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity. Likewise, the implementation of these best practices should always be supported with robust funding from government partners at all levels.
The Interagency Council holds an important role in keeping progress moving forward to prevent and end homelessness; their role is critical and should continue to be supported. At the same time, we need to collectively invest resources and energy towards solutions that are rooted in justice. We also must acknowledge that our systems and structures in their current form will not lead us to housing justice. Housing justice-oriented solutions should be created in the context of repairing historical harms, and always be driven by people who are most impacted, especially those who are Black, Indigenous, and other people of color.
We appreciate the plan’s focus on expanding housing supply and look forward to working with the Administration and Congress to realize that goal and focus on a sufficient supply of quality housing that is affordable to people with the lowest incomes. Housing justice-oriented solutions must be paired with policies that require compassion, choice, and healing through a safe and stable place to call home and access to voluntary services.
Through authentic partnership with people with lived expertise, we can co-create pathways to achieve housing justice and a future where housing is a human right for all.