Oct. 10 is World Homeless Day, a day recognized internationally to raise awareness of the needs of people experiencing homelessness and promote work in local communities to alleviate suffering and prevent death.
Nearly 600,000 people in the U.S. are experiencing homelessness, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2022 Annual Homeless Assessment Report. People who identify as Black, African American, or African, as well as indigenous people (including Native Americans and Pacific Islanders) continue to be overrepresented among those experiencing homelessness.
At the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, we believe:
👉 homelessness is unacceptable
👉 every person has the right to adequate food, housing, clothing, and health care
👉 all people have the right to participate in the decisions affecting their lives
👉 contemporary homelessness is the product of conscious social and economic policy decisions that have retreated from a commitment to ensuring basic life necessities for all people
👉 the struggle to end homelessness and alleviate its consequences takes many forms, including efforts to ensure adequate housing, health care, and access to meaningful work
To accomplish our mission, the National HCH Council strives to:
👉 create and disseminate knowledge regarding the interaction of inadequate housing and poor health
👉 maintain active relationships with a broad range of service providers, consumer and advocacy groups, academic institutions, and public officials, in the United States and internationally
👉 promote clinical practices and public policies that will improve the health status of people without homes or at risk of homelessness
👉 demonstrate our commitment to human rights and adherence to our founding principles in our activities, governance structure, internal policies, and external partnerships
We can’t do what we do without your support!
👉 Join the Council as an individual or organizational member
👉 Donate to support our advocacy efforts
👉 Subscribe to our monthly policy action alert newsletter, Mobilizer
