During the week of 12/5/16, The HCH Consumer/Community Advisory Board carried out three "listening sessions" as part of the Alameda County All-In Initiative. A total of 46 persons experiencing street homelessness participated at three different listening sessions in Hayward and Oakland. The HCH CCAB members were impressed and encouraged by the courage and strengths of the participants, and pleased by their willingness to speak out.
Click here for the informational Poster of the event.
Click here for an in-depth report of findings from each listening session.
Below are major themes that emerged.
Major themes that emerged from All-In Listening Sessions:
Click here for an in-depth report of findings from each listening session.
Click here for the informational Poster of the event.
Click here for an in-depth report of findings from each listening session.
Below are major themes that emerged.
Major themes that emerged from All-In Listening Sessions:
- There is tremendous diversity among persons experiencing street homelessness. They cannot be characterized, pathologized, or generalized.
- Persons experiencing homelessness have skills, talents, experiences and input to provide to society, and feel that their ability to contribute to society is systematically denied to them, and that they are trapped in cycles of poverty and homelessness that are hard to exit.
- Most participants were born and raised in the neighborhoods they in which they are now homeless.
- Most participants believe homelessness is solvable, through the construction of adequate affordable housing, and that if not for the housing crisis and unaffordable rents, they would not be homeless.
- They are not homeless by choice.
- Safe, accessible warm shelters.
- Legal and supported encampment spaces.
- Helpful and supportive health-oriented outreach providers.
- Healthy, protein-rich food in soup kitchens and food programs.
- Safe places to be during the days, to rest, read, bathe, charge phones, etc.
- Places to go and do work, day labor, or even volunteer.
- Police and health providers who are adequately trained/interned in skills needed to protect and serve persons experiencing homelessness.
Click here for an in-depth report of findings from each listening session.
