“There will be an increase in people applying for emergency shelter assistance across the continuum of care when those eviction moratoria end. And we expect that this increase will especially affect some people who are already housing vulnerable.”

Yesterday, the Housing and Homeless Coalition of Central New York (a United Way of Central New York Initiative) held their annual “State of Homelessness” event.

It was heartening to hear a statewide COVID-19 halt on evictions has helped decrease the number of homeless people in Onondaga, Oswego, and Cayuga counties, but in the long-term, the economic downturn and an eventual return to evictions are setting the stage for a dramatic shift.

As we recognize Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (November 15 – 22) nationwide this week, it’s important to acknowledge the work that the Housing and Homeless Coalition of Central New York (HHC) is doing today to recognize a crisis on the horizon, and preparing community resources to respond down the road.

“Everyone Deserves Safe and Stable Housing”

During the State of Homelessness presentation, HHC also highlighted their efforts to address racial disparities in homelessness systems and HHC’s commitment to racial justice. There are racial disparities across the United States in our homelessness system; nationally, African Americans are three times more likely to experience homelessness than white people.

Effectively eliminating homelessness requires that organizations understand why certain groups are at higher risk for homelessness and work to develop cultural competency while implementing a “targeted universalism” approach to better serve all people in the community.

Because of You

The programs, initiatives, and collaborations you help to support through your giving to United Way of Central New York, like HHC, are making a difference in our community, every day.

To view the entire State of Homelessness presentation, please click here. For more, about the State of Homelessness event, visit: WAER | The Stand

#UnitedWeDoMore