News that the 2019 point-in-time count shows fewer people in our region experiencing homelessness for the first time in seven years reflects Solid Ground’s experience. Every day we successfully stabilize community members’ housing through our homeless prevention and diversion services.

The reduction in the number of people experiencing homelessness is a result of regional efforts to increase coordination of strategies and resources. As a co-chair of the All Home Coordinating Board, I am gratified to report that we are making real progress towards a unified regional effort that should increase the effectiveness of our homeless response systems. I hope to have concrete news on that front this summer.

All Home’s data points to the power of increased investment in work to prevent homelessness. A safe, stable home is foundational to ending poverty. Prevention and diversion are among the most cost-effective strategies for stabilizing housing. These strategies are high priorities for Solid Ground. In 2018 we helped prevent 597 households – a total of 1,499 people – from becoming homeless!

Unfortunately, the point-in-time count demonstrates that people of color continue to be disproportionately represented among populations experiencing homelessness. No one organization can end homelessness or poverty, or undo racism and other oppressions. So, Solid Ground is committed to working in collaboration with partner agencies and coalitions to undo the institutionalized racist policies and practices that continue to make it harder for people of color to achieve housing stability than white people.