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 Today, USICH released a new report, Searching Out Solutions: Constructive Alternatives to Criminalization (SOS), outlining alternatives for communities that implement local measures that criminalize "acts of living." In response to the HEARTH Act, USICH and the Access to Justice Initiative of the U.S. Department of Justice, with support from the Department of Housing and Urban Development convened a summit on the development of constructive alternatives to the criminalization of homelessness.
The alternatives to criminalization policies identified in SOS were developed from the discussion at the summit and have been effective in reducing and preventing homelessness in several cities around the country. SOS identifies three solutions, examples of specific strategies and interventions, and their successful implementation in communities across the country: the creation of comprehensive and seamless systems of care, collaboration between law enforcement and behavioral health and social service providers, and alternative justice system strategies.
"Searching Out Solutions proposes alternatives that can be relatively inexpensive to implement, result in overall cost-savings, and have a lasting positive impact on the quality of life for individuals experiencing homelessness and the larger community," said USICH Executive Director Barbara Poppe.
- An overview of the report
- Download the full report
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Housing, Services, and Partnerships
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A Successful Combination to End Street Homelessness
Searching Out Solutions contains examples of specific strategies communities can implement to reduce street homelessness and improve outcomes for those experiencing it. Communities need housing solutions that provide the right types of housing and appropriate services available at appropriate times. In addition to having the right interventions in place, community partners such as police, businesses, and service providers need to know that these interventions are available and how to connect people experiencing homelessness to them. When all of these components are in place, a seamless system of care arises that allows people experiencing street homelessness to get off the street and move into housing. The key to ensuring that individuals experiencing street homelessness stay off the street and out of jails and prisons is to provide them with a system of care that responds to their needs in both times of crisis and on their path to stability.
USICH spoke to Bill Hobson, Executive Director of DESC in Seattle about the development of a seamless system of care
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Justice Systems Alternatives
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A number of successful criminal justice solutions are described in the report Searching Out Solutions. Three stand out as being especially successful at both minimizing the negative effects of criminal records and taking advantage of the interaction with the system to directly connect people experiencing homelessness with needed services. They are:- The development of holistic public defenders offices the move beyond dismissals to connecting individuals to needed services
- The use of problem-solving courts that seek to create a sustainable solution for the individual while also resolving the case
- Comprehensive reentry services that include case management, planning, housing, and employment
Holistic Public Defenders
In many public defenders offices, lawyers work on a timeline that begins with their client's arrest and ends when the case is dismissed, their client accepts a plea bargain, or the case ends in trial. Holistic public defenders offices work differently. The focus is on both addressing their client's case while also helping to address the issues that brought them to court -this includes connecting clients with case management and services that go beyond the legal system.
Problem-Solving Courts
Problem-solving courts, which are also commonly referred to as specialty courts or therapeutic justice courts, seek to reduce recidivism and improve outcomes by connecting defendants to therapy and social services as a part of the adjudication process.
USICH spoke to Steve Binder, the Deputy Public Defender in San Diego and the founder of San Diego's Homeless Court Program
Reentry Planning and Services
Last year, USICH released a newsletter with information from experts, program profiles, and resources on homelessness and the judicial system focused on reentry.
Read more
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HUD Asks Property Owners to Give Second-Chance to Ex-Offenders
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The Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan has issued a letter asking owners of HUD-assisted multi-family properties to consider giving a second chance to previously incarcerated individuals and to allow them to reunite with their family. Housing is often the first step to stability and a second chance. When leaving jails and prisons, many individuals do not have easy access to this needed first step.
- Read the letter
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Upcoming USICH Webinars
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Alternatives to the Criminalization of Homelessness
Monday, April 16
3:30 - 4:30 pm EDT
USICH will host a webinar that details solutions for communities. Panelists will address the reasons why criminalization is not effective and will detail several key alternatives that can help communities achieve results.
Panelists include Deputy Director for USICH Anthony Love, Senior Counsel for the Access to Justice Initiative at the U.S. Department of Justice Melanca Clark, Executive Director of Pathways to Housing DC Christy Respress, and Deputy Public Defender in San Diego and cofounder of the San Diego Homeless Court Program Steve Binder.
Trauma-Informed Care for Mothers and Families Experiencing Homelessness
Wednesday, May 9 3:00 - 4:00pm EDT Homelessness is a traumatic experience for young children who experience it. Many young mothers experiencing homelessness have also experienced trauma either in their own childhoods or more recently. Mothers' Day is a time for us to celebrate mothers and their role raising children. Join USICH for a discussion of ways homeless services programs can use a trauma informed care model to serve mothers and their children better and help break through the cycle of trauma and homelessness. Panelists will include USICH's Executive Director Barbara Poppe and the Director for SAMHSA's National Center of Trauma Informed Care Joan Gillece |
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DOL Grant Application Deadline for Programs Serving Young Adult Ex-Offenders
OCC and USICH Webinar
Ending Homelessness: How Banks Can Finance Permanent Supportive Housing
Wednesday, April 25
2:00 - 3:30 pm EDT
Check Out More Upcoming Events on our Online Calendar
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