Listening, Allying, Giving to End Family Homelessness
Every month, we track the number of families we moved into permanent housing so we can determine if we are on pace to meet our housing goals for the year. Staying on top of this information helps us ask the important questions — of ourselves and others — to make sure we are doing everything possible to get families into safe and stable homes.
In October, we helped 9 families move into permanent housing in the San Francisco Bay Area!
Since July, we have successfully and permanently housed 45 families who were experiencing homelessness. We have said time and again that homelessness will not be solved with a one-size-fits-all approach because everyone needs something different to get into and stay in a home. And our Quarterly Impact Snapshot shows that! It’s time we listen to our unhoused neighbors, to hear their experiences and take their advice while we have the resources to provide services that we know will get families into housing permanently.
In case you didn’t know, November is Homelessness Awareness Month. Last week, two audio podcast episodes of ours, each of a family in our programs and produced by BAVC Media, aired on KALW 91.7FM. The stories are poignant reminders of the conditions facing low-income families and People of Color in our community, and of the policy work our government leaders need to enact to ensure that San Francisco families have access to the affordable housing they need to stay here.
And our supporters agree. They’ve shared their reactions with us, reactions mostly of disbelief, inspiration, frustration, and cautious optimism. “How could someone be punished for trying to care for their child,” said one supporter after listening to Rocheall’s story of survival, the criminal justice system, and a long climb home. Another supporter shared that they broke into tears after sympathizing with the validation that Elizabeth’s story expressed when she said she no longer felt invisible after receiving housing from Hamilton Families.
It’s these reactions that give us hope that our mission to end family homelessness in the San Francisco Bay Area is possible. Why? Because our supporters care, and more and more supporters are joining our mission every day. They're placing themselves in the shoes of unhoused families and I invite you to do the same! Think how lost you would feel without an anchor in your community. Think about the uncertainty and fear you would face. What if you were pregnant, or fleeing an abusive partner, or your car got towed so you could no longer go to the job that was sustaining your income and rent? Maybe the unthinkable has happened, and you’re mourning the heartbreaking loss of a loved one.
And as we approach our year end, I’d like you to think of these stories the next time you question the significance of your contribution and its impact on ending family homelessness. We all have an inexplicable desire to give and connect; to live a life of significance that makes a difference in our world, and impact lives regardless of whether we get to meet them. It’s why we are compelled to give that additional dollar when we can, why we are curious to know how many families have a roof over their heads tonight, how many pregnant mothers have been sheltered, how many children can go to school tomorrow for a better future, or how many people have access to safe and stable housing today.
On Giving Tuesday, think about these stories and the impact you could make by donating to Hamilton Families. If you and every other Hamilton Hero donates the same amount that you did last year, our team will be able to permanently house 200 families. That’s 200 families who have been living out of single room motels, sleeping in their cars, or doubling up with friends and relatives fearing when their welcome will be outstayed.
We need you! You’re one of the reasons why Hamilton Families has made the progress we have. Here’s how you can show up for unhoused families in your community:
Share this post with three friends/colleagues on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter to start a meaningful conversation about ending family homelessness in our community.
The solutions to family homelessness start with YOU. Click below to become an advocate and donate in support of Hamilton Families today.