In this issue:
The 2024 State of Homelessness Report Released
HomeAid 2024 Annual Report Available
HomeAid Affiliates Continue Impactful Summer with Project Completions
HomeAid Holds Event for Support of New Affiliate
HomeAid Attends NAHB's 2024 Association Management Conference in Utah
Recommended Reading
HomeAid Northern California Featured in Builder & Developer
Register Now for the 2025 Housing Market Outlook Breakfast to Receive Early Bird Pricing
HomeAid Sponsors
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New Insights on Homelessness: The 2024 State of Homelessness Report
Dear HomeAid Community,
As we continue our mission to build new lives for families and individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness through construction, community engagement, and education, it's crucial to remain informed about the broader landscape in which we operate. The National Alliance to End Homelessness has just released its State of Homelessness: 2024 Edition. This comprehensive and interactive report analyzes data on homelessness from 2023 and provides valuable insights for anyone involved in addressing this pressing issue.
The 2024 edition brings forward several critical findings that directly impact our work at HomeAid. Among the most significant is the growing influence of the affordable housing crisis on homelessness. As housing prices continue to rise, many more individuals and families are finding themselves at risk of homelessness, highlighting the urgent need for affordable housing solutions. In this area, HomeAid is committed to making a difference by working with service providers in communities nationwide to increase and improve services for those most vulnerable.
The report also delves into the risk factors that contribute to homelessness, offering a clearer understanding of how economic instability, lack of affordable healthcare, and other systemic issues can lead to housing insecurity. By identifying these risk factors, we can better tailor our projects to meet the specific needs of our communities most vulnerable.
Geographic and demographic data within the report provide an in-depth look at where homelessness is most prevalent and which populations are disproportionately affected. This information is vital as it allows us to focus our efforts in areas where our impact can be greatest and to ensure that our projects are inclusive of all groups, particularly those who are often overlooked.
Finally, the report emphasizes evidence-based solutions to homelessness, aligning closely with HomeAid’s approach. The data reinforces the effectiveness of strategies such as supportive housing, rapid re-housing, and homelessness prevention—initiatives that HomeAid has long supported and implemented across the nation.
As we reflect on the insights from the State of Homelessness: 2024 Edition, it reaffirms the importance of our mission and the necessity of our work. This report is not just a collection of data; it is a call to action for all of us. It underscores the challenges we face but also points to the pathways forward—pathways that HomeAid is proud to help pave.
Together, we can continue to build hope, one project at a time.
Sincerely,
Scott Larson
CEO, HomeAid America
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HomeAid's 2024 Annual Report is Available Now
HomeAid’s 2024 Annual Report is now available. This report highlights HomeAid’s overall impact, initiatives, and community transformations. The dedication and hard work of the HomeAid team across the nation, along with our partners and supporters, have made a tangible difference in the fight against homelessness.
Key Achievements featured in the 2024 HomeAid Annual Report:
Transforming Lives: With the help of local and national builders, trades, suppliers, financial institutions, and community partners, we transformed over 1,333 properties across the continuum of care into safe and stable housing. This effort effectively ended homelessness for over 917,884 people.
Investing in Communities: We invested more than $352 million in housing and facilities, improving communities nationwide and providing much-needed stability to those at risk.
Maximizing Impact: By securing over $148 million in savings on renovation and building projects, we were able to redirect those funds into life-changing programs that further support our mission.
Expanding Housing Solutions: We added or preserved 14,531 beds, ensuring more individuals and families have a safe place to call home.
Building Partnerships: Thousands of builders, trade partners, and suppliers came together to provide essential construction services to hundreds of non-profit service providers, amplifying our collective impact.
This is just a brief glimpse into the full 2024 HomeAid Annual Report, which contains even more detailed information on all our initiatives, achievements, and the lives we’ve touched. Explore the complete report to see the full scope of our impact and how we’re working to end homelessness.
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HomeAid Affiliates Continue Impactful Summer with More Project Completions
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HomeAid Hawaii, one year and one day after such unspeakable loss we gathered to welcome the first families to Ka Laʻi Ola This marks the start of a new chapter, offering these Lahaina families peace, stability, and the chance to recover and rebuild their lives, here at Ka Laʻi Ola.
This first pod of homes is just the beginning, Ka Laʻi Ola will welcome 450 Lahaina families. Meaning "The Place of Peaceful Recovery," Ka La’i Ola truly embodies its name—it stands as a symbol of hope, resilience, and the enduring strength of our community.
HomeAid Sacramento recently celebrated the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Maryhouse expansion, a program of Loaves & Fishes.
A big Shoutout to Tri Corp for their dedication as Builder Captain, securing nearly 40% in-kind donations, and a huge thank you to all the amazing trades who made this project possible. HomeAid Sacramento was honored to present a check to Maryhouse for over $32,000 to cover the remaining costs.
HomeAid National Capital Region, together with 21 of their trade partners, and their builder captain Richmond American Homes recently celebrated the renovation of a shared housing facility to create private units to accommodate three Alexandria families for up to two years.
This space is owned by ALIVE! provides up to 24 months of transitional housing and support for women and their families. The first floor was reconfigured to include a residential apartment as well as staff office space, a resident common area, a half bath for staff, and additional storage space under the stairwell. The second and third floors were also renovated into two separate residential units.
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HomeAid Holds Event to Gain Support for a North Texas Affiliate
HomeAid held an informational meeting for the establishment of HomeAid North Texas in early August at the offices of HistoryMaker Homes. The event brought together building industry leaders, stakeholders, and passionate advocates dedicated to addressing homelessness in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.
During the meeting, Robin Arnett, HomeAid’s Chief Expansion Officer, and Marisol Parand, HomeAid’s Chief Development Officer, with the support of Lynn Tadlock, HomeAid’s Finance Manager, had the opportunity to present HomeAid’s mission, discuss the need for our services in North Texas, and outline our vision for the new affiliate.
In addition, Kim McCorkle, Development & Outreach Coordinator of HomeAid Austin shared the impactful work that is being done in their community and how it can be replicated in North Texas.
The enthusiasm and commitment demonstrated by all attendees were truly inspiring, reinforcing our belief that together, we can make a significant impact.
A special thank you to HistoryMaker Homes for hosting us and to everyone who attended and contributed to the conversation. Your support and insights are invaluable as we embark on this transformative journey.
If you are interested in more information on how to get involved with the establishment of HomeAid North Texas, please reach out to Robin Arnett @ rarnett@homeaid.org.
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HomeAid Sponsors NAHB's Association Management Conference in Utah
In mid-August, Robin Arnett, Chief Expansion Officer, and Monique Waddington, Director of Communications and Donor Relations, from the HomeAid National team had an incredible time attending and sponsoring the Association Management Conference (AMC) in beautiful Salt Lake City, Utah.
Our primary focus was to showcase the HomeAid mission to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and explore new opportunities for expanding our reach and impact. The conference afforded HomeAid the time to share our impact over the past 35 years with many of the NAHB Executive Officers.
Robin and Monique were able to spend time with the incredible HomeAid Utah team, and to catch up with another event sponsor and HomeAid’s annual partner 2-10 Warranty, and Steve Hooker, Regional Vice President.
As a bonus, they also were able to attend the HomeAid Utah Diaper Drive on August 23 in person. “It is always so great to experience the amazing work our HomeAid Affiliates do in person,” said Robin Arnett.
HomeAid is grateful for the opportunity to forge new partnerships and expand our efforts to end homelessness nationwide.
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"Homelessness is a Housing Problem" by Gregg Colburn and Clayton Page Aldern
"Homelessness is a Housing Problem: How Structural Factors Explain U.S. Patterns" by Gregg Colburn and Clayton Page Aldern is a compelling and data-driven exploration of the root causes of homelessness in the United States. In this insightful book, the authors challenge many common misconceptions and focus on the structural factors—particularly housing market conditions—contributing to the homelessness crisis.
Colburn and Aldern make a strong case that homelessness is primarily driven by high housing costs, low vacancy rates, and a lack of affordable housing, rather than individual factors like mental illness or substance abuse. By analyzing data from various U.S. cities, they demonstrate that areas with the most expensive and constrained housing markets have the highest rates of homelessness, even in places with strong economies. This perspective shifts the focus from blaming individuals to addressing systemic issues that are crucial for meaningful progress.
The book’s analysis aligns closely with HomeAid’s mission to build new lives for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness through construction, community outreach, and education. At HomeAid, we understand that providing safe, stable, and affordable housing is foundational to tackling homelessness. Colburn and Aldern’s work reinforces the importance of addressing housing scarcity and affordability as central components of any strategy to reduce homelessness.
HomeAid’s projects aim to increase the availability of affordable housing while also providing supportive services that help individuals and families regain stability and dignity. "Homelessness is a Housing Problem" supports our approach by emphasizing the need for policy solutions that focus on expanding affordable housing, implementing rent controls, and offering better support systems for those at risk of losing their homes.
In conclusion, "Homelessness is a Housing Problem" is an essential read for anyone interested in understanding the structural causes of homelessness and seeking evidence-based solutions. The insights provided by Colburn and Aldern are not only enlightening but also crucial for informing the strategies we employ to combat homelessness. We highly recommend this book to policymakers, advocates, and anyone committed to addressing homelessness through comprehensive and systemic change.
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