Colleague Voices: We Can End Homelessness

Colleague Voices: We Can End Homelessness

• 1.
  Foundation leaders andexperts across the nation speak out:“We know how to end homelessness.”
• 2.
  “It is importantto ask what the key interventions are that seem to be making a difference. You will not be surprised to hear among these key interventions are supportive housing and an emphasis on getting the most people with disabilities into housing. Moving people out of the shelter system more quickly both reduces the need for beds and reduces homelessness.”Nan Roman PresidentNational Alliance to End HomelessnessWashington, DC
• 3.
  “Working with peoplewho are homeless and experiencing mental illnesses and other health problems is not easy. Society has at times given up on this vulnerable population and incorrectly concluded nothing can be done to address their issues, or to solve the cycle of despair resulting in long-term homelessness. We know differently – there are proven solutions that work. Effective, cost-efficient models that move vulnerable people off the streets and into affordable, permanent housing where they can receive the support they need to heal and build better lives.”Deborah DeSantisPresident and CEOCorporation for Supportive HousingNew York, NY
• 4.
  “We as asociety have been able to generate cures for some of the most atrocious diseases, go to places that are out of this world, and invent items that are essential to our way of life. In Houston, our community housed well over 200,000 people who evacuated from the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina because our community and our leaders said we should make sure these families and individuals are housed. With that backdrop, I am confident we can do the same for people who are currently homeless”Anthony LovePresident and CEOCoalition for the Homeless of Houston / Harris CountyHouston, TX
• 5.
  “We will makeprogress on social problems by finding new ways to align the interests and the activities of business, government, nonprofits and philanthropy.”Carla JavitsPresidentREDFSan Francisco, CA
• 6.
  “Ending homelessness isabout empowerment. It’s about finding ways to help people to help themselves. It is about applying diligent and thoughtful guidance that enables each individual and each family to acquire self-reliance and independence. The people who help make that happen are among the most talented and dedicated and patient that I have ever worked with.”G. Robert HohlerExecutive DirectorMelville Charitable TrustHartford, CT
• 7.
  “Chronic homelessness isan issue that cuts across many funders’ interests – from health and health care, mental illness, and child welfare to prisoner reentry, poverty, and community development. No single funder or provider can solve it alone, and we cannot solve it without the involvement of both the private and public sectors.”RisaLavizzo-MoureyPresidentRobert Wood Johnson FoundationPrinceton, NJ
• 8.
  “People who arechronically homeless and who are not housed create very, very difficult circumstances in our cities. And wouldn’t it make better sense - wouldn’t our sense of fairness and justice be met by providing them with a supportive housing unit? This is not the 1980s when we were bewildered by this phenomenon. We understand it. We know what works. So the question is, do we have the will to actually implement what we know works, and what, quite frankly, doesn’t cost us any more money to do?”Darren Walker Vice President of Foundation InitiativesThe Rockefeller FoundationNew York, NY
• 9.
  “What unites usall, what powers us all... is the vision of a society where everyone has a place that they can call home. It is a vision we all believe can be achieved. We are sure that some day, sooner rather than later, others will look back upon this time and say: In such great country with such unbelievable resources what on earth took them so long?”Stephen MelvilleBoard ChairMelville Charitable TrustHartford, CT
• 10.
  "I understandto address homelessness and poverty we must come together and look for meaningful solutions. Improving the lives of Philadelphia's most vulnerable citizens improves the lives of all of its citizens.“Jon Bon JoviRock Musician and Homeless AdvocatePhiladelphia, PA
• 11.
  “There is noexcuse any longer, if there ever was, to fail to house and support every family now living in a distressed public or assisted housing project. The simple fact is, today we can house anyone. Our challenge now is to house everyone.”Shaun DonovanSecretary, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban DevelopmentWashington, DC
• 12.
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