April 23, 2024
One Roof: Joining the Initiative to Combat Homelessness
Aisha Nasser, one of our valued Spring Interns had the opportunity to present at the UAB Service Learning and Undergraduate Research Expo.
Abstract
“To facilitate my passion for social work and servicing those facing financial instability and housing insecurity, among other debilitating factors, I chose to intern with One Roof, a resource and referral agency for the homeless Continuum of Care (CoC) program for Central Alabama. In the bustling city of Birmingham, Alabama, trends of homelessness continue to persist and rise, reflecting a distressing glimpse into the often overlooked and stigmatized lives of one of the city's most vulnerable populations. With One Roof, I aimed to hone my understanding of the various systemic barriers clients often face and gain insight into their experiences while on the streets of Jefferson, St. Clair, and Shelby County.
While in the office, I worked with the Coordinated Entry staff to conduct intake assessments, recording individuals' self-reported histories of homelessness within the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) PromisSE database. In doing so, I assessed individuals reporting chronic homelessness or priority status, allowing me to input their housing needs into the system for other CoC-approved agencies to distribute direct services based on our referral. To make such filings, especially within Street Outreach initiatives, I relied on One Roof guidelines, referring to them often in conjunction with seeking support from my on-site coordinator. Overall, I learned that combatting homelessness is complex, requiring a vast network to coordinate care across various fields to meet client needs. As an aspiring social worker, I hope to channel such knowledge to educate others about the implications of homelessness and offer recommendations for proactive change.” Read More Here
As the semester comes to an end we would like to thank Aisha for her valuable input and work at One Roof. She was able to get first hand experience with the implementation of the Coordinated Entry process and Street Outreach Initiatives. We are so proud of her accomplishments and commitment to servicing those facing housing insecurity!
March 21, 2024
2024 Cardboard Connect Recap
Every Year in March we partner with Youthserve to inform youth age students (13-18) about the realities of people experiencing homelessness.
This Year we focused on what the youth could do to get more involved, how to combat stigma and challenge the perspectives of those around them when it comes to homelessness and each youth got to participate in a homeless simulation that broadens the understanding of societal barriers and systemic issues that person unhoused face daily within our society.
We are so grateful to partner with Youthserve on this life changing event for the Youth in our Community. Thank you to Avondale Samaritan Place for allowing us to fellowship in their space. We offer a huge thank you to all of our parent volunteers. We could not make this happen without you!
We hope to see this event continue to impact and educate the community on the experiences of our folk experiencing homelessness.
January 25, 2024
POINT-IN-TIME COUNT 2024
The Point-in-Time (PIT) Count is a count of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January. Read more about it Here
One Roof would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you who contributed to this year’s Point-in-Time count. Your dedication and effort have played a pivotal role in making this event a success. Organizing such a large-scale initiative requires incredible teamwork and commitment, and your involvement has not gone unnoticed.
The information gathered from our community during this count is invaluable. It forms the foundation for enhanced resources. Your active participation reflects a shared commitment to improving the lives of those we serve, and we are truly grateful for your contributions.
We would like to especially thank The Division of Youth Services for allowing us to use their facilities for home base. A very special Thank you to @bluffparkumc @foodforourjourney and @bekindbirmingham for sharing space with us for our first point-in-time meal in the park event!
Thank you to all of our volunteers who came early and stayed late! We can’t do this event without the extra boots on the ground.
We were able to make over 500 hygiene bags to distribute thanks to our Faith based groups and individual donors! We far exceeded our goal of 400 hygiene bags. Because of your donations we were able to provide some necessities as we completed surveys!
Thank you to our interns for putting the hygiene bags together!
We would also like to thank our Community partners and agencies for their support and contribution to PIT and their collective dedication to ending homelessness year round.
November 3, 2023
Tiny Homes, the Solution to Homelessness?
Tiny homes have gained popularity as an innovative housing solution, often attracting individuals who prefer a minimalist lifestyle, baby boomers downsizing from their “McMansions,” and even some people who wish to pack up their homes and tow them elsewhere! Moreover, there are growing efforts to explore their potential as a means to address the increasing numbers of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness. One such initiative, the "12 Neighbors Gated Community," led by Canadian entrepreneur Marcel Lebrun, has garnered national and international attention.
Tiny home communities can indeed tackle affordability concerns by reducing construction costs and alleviating individual property taxes. However, they can also present challenges, such as potential isolation. If they are situated in remote areas due to zoning regulations or NIMBY’ism (Not in My Backyard), residents may find themselves far removed from essential resources like grocery stores, social services, parks, and entertainment options. The "12 Neighbors Gated Community," is creating a true community of 99 tiny, fully functional homes that are permanently plumbed, have a small kitchen plus living and sleeping areas. The new community is complete with amenities such as on-site security, a coffee shop, and even job opportunities.
While housing initiatives are commendable and have the potential to alleviate certain aspects of homelessness, it's essential to recognize that housing alone is not enough to end homelessness as we know it today. Homelessness is a complex issue and the lack of a roof to protect you from freezing rain and blistering heat is only one small part of why one becomes and stays homeless. Lebrun is attempting to address one of the contributing factors by providing low barrier job opportunities and on-site help with developing new skills for those who wish to learn a trade. Residents have the opportunity to be directly involved in constructing their own homes, thus learning important house maintenance skills. In fact, work on the “12 Neighbors Community” began in 2022 with the construction of space for social enterprise projects including diverse options such as silk printing, building picnic tables, and working in the community coffee shop.
To create a more effective and comprehensive solution to homelessness, it's imperative to consider not only the provision of affordable housing but also access to supportive services, healthcare, employment opportunities, and a sense of community. A holistic approach that addresses the diverse needs of homeless individuals is crucial for sustainable change.
For more information on the “12 Neighbours Community,” check out an article or two, or go review their website.
For more information on how you can better understand the picture of homelessness in our own community, take a look at One Roof statistics. To get involved in addressing the diverse needs of those experiencing homelessness, check out these opportunities for meaningful volunteer service and ways to make a difference.
Thank you to USICH Executive Director Jeff Olivet and Senior Regional Advisor Joe N. Savage Jr. for stopping by the One Roof offices to visit with us and our partners the City of Birmingham and the Community Foundation recently.
For those of you who may not know, the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) is the only federal agency with the sole mission of preventing and ending homelessness in the U.S. The Council is made up of 19 federal agencies including HUD, the Department of Education, the Department of Health and Human Resources, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and many others. USICH brings together all of these resources and the related expertise to address the complex issue of homelessness.
Director Olivet spoke with the group about the Federal Strategic Plan: All In, a multi-year, interagency roadmap developed by USICH to reduce homelessness 25% by 2025. The City of Birmingham shared the exciting micro-shelter project that we are all looking forward to having as an option for those who are our most vulnerable and are living on the streets, as well as other upcoming projects that will serve those experiencing homelessness. The Community Foundation chimed in to speak about specific systemic initiatives they have funded and about their current initiatives for the grant cycle that just opened. One Roof team members then shared our excitement about collaboration efforts between the City of Birmingham, the Philanthropic Community, and the CoC, particularly as we work to engage additional community partners in implementing best practices, taking advantage of new opportunities, and finding our way to the common ground – our community is healthier when people are housed.
Once our office conversation came to a close, Director Olivet took a trip back to his Outreach roots…he and Senior Advisor Savage went out with the One Roof Street Outreach Team! They visited with a group of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness while lunch was being served by the always hospitable member agency Food for Our Journey.
Honest conversations between people experiencing homelessness and those with the power to change federal policy seldom have space to happen. One Roof was grateful to have the honor of providing that space, and we look forward to ongoing collaborations between all stakeholders involved in reducing the number of people experiencing homelessness today.
August 15, 2023