As is customary, HUD released its annual report on homelessness at the end of 2024. It revealed a startling year-over-year increase in homelessness among individuals and families in the United States. Among the devastating data, there were bright spots such as a decrease in homeless veterans. But the reporting and punditry surrounding the report was less than stellar, and the news was buried in a matter of days. Crucially, some of the worst reporting on HUD’s findings came from left wing media sources who pointed to immigration as one of the drivers of the increase, conveniently and uncritically parroting conservative talking points while ignoring the more pertinent narratives.

Chapters

Intro: 00:00:37

Chapter One: A Point in Time. 00:03:12

Chapter Two: Whether Building a Home or a Narrative, Framing Matters. 00:07:39

Chapter Three: Housing First: When Evidence Meets Ideology. 00:17:03

Bring it Home, Max. 00:26:20

Post Show Musings: 00:30:55

Outro: 00:58:21

Resources

HUD: The 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress 

Tsemberis, S., & Eisenberg, R. F. (2000). Pathways to Housing: Supported Housing for Street-Dwelling Homeless Individuals with Psychiatric Disabilities

National Alliance to End Homelessness. (2000). A Plan, Not a Dream: How to End Homelessness in Ten Years. Washington, DC

U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. (2010). *Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness. Washington, DC

Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2014). Housing First in Permanent Supportive Housing Brief

Gillespie, S., et al. (2021). Denver Supportive Housing Social Impact Bond Initiative: Final Outcome Report. Urban Institute

Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. (2019). Housing for Health Year Four Evaluation Report

Wright, B. J., et al. (2016). Health in Housing: Exploring the Intersection between Housing and Health Care. Center for Outcomes Research and Education

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2018). Permanent Supportive Housing: Evaluating the Evidence for Improving Health Outcomes Among People Experiencing Chronic Homelessness

Gubits, D., et al. (2016). Family Options Study: 3-Year Impacts of Housing and Services Interventions for Homeless Families. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Y-Foundation. (2020). A Home of Your Own: Housing First and Ending Homelessness in Finland

National Alliance to End Homelessness. (2020). Rapid Re-Housing Works: What the Evidence Says

Padgett, D. K., et al. (2016). Housing First: Ending Homelessness, Transforming Systems, and Changing Lives. Oxford University Press

UNFTR Episode Resources

Over The Borderline Series:

Introduction.

Part One.

Part Two.

Part Three.

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