7 Creative Groups Working To Solve The Housing Crisis

While it may seem like common sense that everyone should have a place to live, the sad truth is that even in wealthy countries like America, homelessness is widespread. These groups provide a wide variety of services to those without a home or in danger of losing their homes to confront the issue in different ways. Here, in no particular order, are some organizations meeting the housing crisis head-on.

Coming in at #1 is Streetohome, a Canadian organization in Vancouver dedicated to addressing the individual housing, legal, health, education, and employment needs of those who are at risk or currently homeless, as well as those who have lived through the experience. Founded in 2008, the group works to provide stable housing with appropriate services, prevent those who are most vulnerable from becoming homeless, and build a broad public commitment for permanent solutions.

Streetohome works with the private sector to secure funding and find new opportunities for collaboration between the public and nonprofit sectors to implement sustainable solutions for the homeless in Vancouver. Foundation Board Chair John McLernon states the organization's success relies on finding promising models from other jurisdictions and adapting them to fill gaps in the system to improve outcomes for vulnerable individuals and communities.

In the #2 spot is the National Fair Housing Alliance. Located in Washington, D.C., the organization's mission is to ensure equal housing opportunity for all people. It is a consortium of more than 200 non-profit organizations, state and local civil rights agencies, and individuals from across the United States.

The National Fair Housing Alliance provides free support to victims of discrimination and works to educate people about their rights. The ultimate goal is to eliminate barriers to housing and end the lending discrimination that has a devastating effect on families, neighborhoods, and communities.

At #3 is the New York City Community Land Initiative. As an alliance of social justice and affordable housing organizations, it works to advance community land trusts and address the root causes of homelessness and displacement.

The education and outreach department focuses on creating and sharing materials to support public organizing and engagement, while the policy and advocacy arm addresses core questions such as how the government should support community land trusts and what legislation needs to be changed or established to facilitate their creation and expansion.

In the #4 spot is New Hope Housing. Founded in 1977, this nonprofit in Alexandria, Virginia is committed to finding creative and lasting solutions to end the cycle of homelessness. The organization states that it works to end homelessness in Northern Virginia by providing housing, offering hope, and building community.

New Hope Housing provides support in the form of shelters, education and employment programs, children's services, rapid rehousing, initiatives like the Housing First Apartments Program, and mobile medical outreach.

Coming in at #5 is Siena Francis House, located in Omaha, Nebraska, which provides emergency overnight shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness. Exercising a policy of unconditional acceptance, the group states it is dedicated to providing all services to the poor and homeless with the respect and dignity they deserve.

While the organization primarily provides emergency shelter, food, and clothing, its ultimate goal is to end homelessness by helping each guest achieve housing in the community. As part of this effort, the group also provides permanent supportive housing, prioritizing those with a disability who are chronically homeless.

In the #6 spot is the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute. Located in Melbourne, Victoria, it provides custom-designed research services with the goal of impacting housing through the delivery and dissemination of relevant and authoritative research.

As a national organization, the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute has partnered with a diverse range of clients across Australia and internationally. The organization states no two clients are the same, and each client must be worked with individually to create a tailored solution.

Finally, at #7 is the New York Foundation for Senior Citizens. With offices across the five boroughs of New York, this non-profit, non-sectarian organization strives to help seniors enjoy life in a healthier, safer, more productive, and more dignified manner in their homes and communities and avoid the need for premature institutionalization.

Programs are funded both by government and private contributions. President Linda Hoffman states the organization is continually exploring and implementing new approaches to meet the needs of the growing senior population.