As 2024 comes to a close and we naturally reflect on the year, I want to express just how much I am grateful for the folks in the homelessness field across the country – especially those of you on the front lines of our work to end homelessness.
For many people in and around our sector, 2024 has brought joy – but also many challenges. Communities – like Dallas, TX; Spokane County, WA; and Napa, CA – were able to reduce homelessness and buck the national trend of widespread homelessness increases. Advocates – like in Wisconsin, Iowa, Kansas, and Mississippi – were able to defeat harmful bills on criminalizing homelessness. But the Supreme Court’s decision on the Grants Pass v. Johnson case, the continuation of a tough housing market, and the amount of people entering homelessness for the first time in record numbers – among other things – have made the lives of those experiencing homelessness (and those who serve them) even harder.
Even still, as I think back on this year, there is a lot to be grateful for. I think about where we would be without the tireless efforts of front-line staff, advocates, community leaders and many others across the field.
We wouldn’t have innovations on unsheltered homelessness, like new direct to housing initiatives.
We wouldn’t have more people with lived experience of homelessness moving into leadership positions nationwide – a key way to ensure that the people who are impacted by our policies and practices are the ones advising their implementation.
We wouldn’t have received additional funding for key homeless and housing programs from the federal government, which advocates like you helped to secure.
We wouldn’t have reduced homelessness among veterans.
We wouldn’t have an incredible collection of information and data in the form of amicus briefs filed in favor of Gloria Johnson in the Grants Pass v. Johnson Supreme Court case – showing that criminalization of homelessness simply does not work.
And we wouldn’t have moved many, many people into permanent places to live with the services they need to stay stable.
I know for sure that there are many more positive things that have happened in states and localities nationwide. We have to do more. And we will do more in 2025.
But right now, I wanted to take a beat and reflect about our key partners. Whether you are an outreach worker or a Continuum of Care lead, provide services in a rural area or big city, or have been working in this field for three months or 30 years – know that the hard work of ending homelessness wouldn’t happen without you.
This work isn’t easy, and I want to make sure you know how much we at the Alliance appreciate you and your work. Thank you for continuing to show up for people experiencing homelessness year after year. I’m grateful for all that we’ve accomplished in 2024, and I’m excited to see what we can accomplish together in 2025.