By Barbara DiPietro, Senior Policy Director As the HCH Community prepares its voter registration and voter turnout activities in the run-up to the Tuesday, Nov. 5, elections, three points are important to keep in mind: The System is Working as Designed … by Those Who Voted Social justice advocates often assert that the “system is […]
1 in 10 Unhoused People Vote — That’s a Problem Read More >>
by Barbara DiPietro, Senior Policy Director There are two words that feel especially uncomfortable right now: Sanctioned Encampments. This term means different things to different people, and can reference a wide range of approaches—but simply letting large numbers of people live outside is hardly a solution to homelessness—and one that has a high risk of
The Urgent, Uncomfortable Issue We Need to Talk About Read More >>
By Barbara DiPietro, Senior Director of Policy Background: In March (Part 1), we described the key provisions of this case and outlined how to draw attention and build power around key advocacy messages. In April (Part 2), we summarized the Supreme Court hearing, listed 10 questions the Justices asked during testimony, linked to the amicus
Cruel and Unusual Punishment, Part 3 Read More >>
By Barbara DiPietro, Senior Director of Policy On Monday, April 22, the Supreme Court heard the case of Johnson v. Grants Pass — a case that determines whether it is cruel and unusual punishment for communities to ticket or fine unsheltered people for sleeping outside. For background, last month’s Closer Look blog described the key provisions of this case
Cruel and Unusual Punishment, Part 2 Read More >>
By Barbara DiPietro, Senior Director of Policy In Grants Pass, Ore., there is a law that bans camping in public — and the law defines a campsite as any place that has bedding like a sleeping bag or pillow. This means that, despite no housing and no shelter, folks living outside get tickets of up
Cruel and Unusual Punishment Read More >>
By Barbara DiPietro, PhD, Senior Director of Policy I’m excited to share two new issue briefs that focus on the role of Medicaid in paying for medical respite care. Our first brief — Status of State-Level Medicaid Benefits for Medical Respite Care — provides a current snapshot of the state-level Medicaid activity related to medical respite care. The
Two New Briefs Show Medical Respite Moving into Mainstream Medicaid Read More >>
By Barbara DiPietro, PhD, Senior Director of Policy “If all public policy was created in the spirit of love, we would not have to worry about unemployment, homelessness, schools failing to teach children, or addiction.” — bell hooks, All About Love (2021) Especially challenging times are upon us. Next year will be a difficult one
The Power of Love — The HCH Community’s Greatest Advocacy Tool Read More >>
By Barbara DiPietro, PhD, Senior Director of Policy When Mother Jones — a fierce labor and union organizer — said this in 1902 she was fighting to improve the lives of miners and silk mill workers. Now, more than 120 years later, I borrow her words for our current struggle to end homelessness. Pray for the Dead…
‘Pray for the Dead and Fight Like Hell for the Living’ Read More >>
