Overcoming Hurdles to Jobs

Example of a community internalizing and sharing responsibility ... putting the front yard in the back yard.

Job fair for those who'd been in jail or without a home.

Collaboration and Integration with the Neighborhood Yields Positive Results

The shelter in this story operates under the premise of YIMBY (rather than NIMBY).

This is similar to the neighborhood education program developed by Jeffrey Canada in Harlem, which helped parents to take better care of their children and end generational poverty.

http://www.whittierdailynews.com/news/ci_15445101

National Coalitional for the Homeless release new report

This new study is focused on the laws and restriction that local governments placed on food providers to the homeless. These are the restrictions that make it a criminal act to help the homeless. http://www.nationalhomeless.org/publications/foodsharing/pr_2010.html

From the top of the idea(money)-chain

Tent cities might be better understood by the national public within five years, given the work by students and the NCH to study and document their history and resurgence. Until then, they may continue to operate as small start-ups, using -- almost solely -- local money.

On the other side of the food chain, the Fed will hopefully take care of the other need: more permanent housing: Administration broadens effort to fight homelessness

Re-Connecting, Right in our Backyard(s)

Step-by-step re-connection with the local community:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/30/homeless-world-cup-inspir_n_630407.html

Businessman in Tennessee gives land to homeless for tent community

The recent floods in Tennessee displaced the Tent City which was an encampment for homeless. Since the flood last month the camp has been in search of a new place for the camp. A local businessman leased 120 acres to several churches in the area. The camp is helping about 30 residents. However, it would seem that this situation has caused the usual fair of ire from the neighborhood. Nearby residents are unhappy because they were not asked if it was OK with them that the tent community moved to the area. Rather strange as this writer does not usually ask her neighbors what may or may not be done on her property. A city council member is even reported to say that the community should have been consulted before the camp moved into the area. The health department was also it seems called in this case and came out to inspect the camp. The health inspectors said that a camp ground was allowed in the area under the zoning codes. The camp is the subject of a public meeting on June 3rd.

http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=12563355

http://www.wsmv.com/news/23715115/detail.html

http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=12557270

Health Care for the Homeless

Homeless are less likely to receive basic health care a new study shows. According to poll results analyzed by researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program that homeless have a substantial inability to get the health care that they need.

Lack of health insurance or money to pay were the reasons most frequently associated with lack of care, followed by insufficient food, vision problems, and having been in foster care when young.


http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/healthday/639182.html

Boston has a Healthcare Program that is specifically aimed helping the homeless receive proper health care.

http://www.bhchp.org/