Who is really responsible for ending homelessness?
Because the causes and consequences of homelessness are complex and the result of policy decisions, housing shortages, gaps in public services, and systemic inadequacies and inequities, people often don’t know who to hold responsible for solutions.
Many look to their local nonprofit organizations to address homelessness in their neighborhood or town. And these providers all do what they can with what they have to work with. Ultimately, this work requires a coordinated effort from individuals and agencies at the local, state, and federal levels. This is where policy discussions and decisions – including funding – happen. Or where they fail to happen.
Yet, local governments face significant limitations in addressing homelessness. Major challenges, like the amount of affordable housing, may be beyond your local government’s capacity to solve alone. Especially given the scale of the crisis and decades of public dollar disinvestment and public policy choices.
