Public Policy Initiatives
Public Policy Initiatives
To end and prevent homelessness
The NWSN has an eight-point public policy agenda that is laser focused on ending and preventing homelessness in our country and providing shelters and safe haven programs with the resources they need to implement trauma-informed, best practices to heal, support, uplift and successfully transition those they serve.
The NWSN Plan to Address the special Needs of Women and their Children and Intersections between Violence and Homelessness includes the following key policy issues:
#1
Urgently-needed funding for shelters and safe haven programs tailored to meet the specific needs of women and their children, with trauma-informed supportive services and enriched resources, recognizing violence and related trauma is a lead cause of homelessness for women, children and families.
#2
Funding for capital repairs and improvements for shelters and safe haven programs for women and their children, youth and families, to build the facilities and organizational capacity of programs to serve women, children and families of all ages and abilities, in trauma-informed, universally-accessible, healthful, environmentally-sensitive, child-friendly, and welcoming environments, offering privacy, dignity, and are suitable to their special needs; and further, to establish shelters and safe havens for women, children and families experiencing homelessness in communities that have none, so that no woman or child will be forced to survive on the street or remain in abusive circumstances, risking further harm or death.
#3
Funding for truly affordable, permanent housing for those with extremely low-income, both public and private, with long-term vouchers, subsidies and programs that limit rent to one-third of an individual’s or family’s income, so that they can afford to put food on the table, care for children, cover utilities, medical expenses, transportation and other basic costs of living, to remain stably housed.
#4
Long-term/permanent residences with embedded, trauma-informed mental health care and supportive services are needed for those with severe and persistent mental illness or other special needs who need assistance with daily living activities to achieve a meaningful quality of life—too many of whom die on our streets today, sited in the communities they call home.
#5
Long-term, post-shelter exit, enriched supportive services as needed for women, children, youth and families who have successfully transitioned from homelessness to secure hard-earned successes, and to help them remain stably-housed, address special needs and circumstances, and prevent cycling in and out of shelters.
#6
Funding for high-quality, extended hours, affordable early education and childcare (commencing no later than 4 weeks of age) and after school programs and services for women and their children, youth and families experiencing and/or at risk of homelessness to assist mothers in securing greater financial self-sufficiency and stability
#7
Paid maternity leave for expectant and new mothers, across sectors, is needed for at least a 3-month period, longer in the case of health complications for either the mother and/or child. Paid maternity leave reduces financial stress and offers women, children, youth and families critical financial support, advancing healthy development, mental well-being, prevents homelessness and assures greater housing stability.
#8
A key element to ending and preventing homelessness is a truly affordable living wage and/or level of income, with wages and income tied to to the federally-determined fair market rents by geographic location to help adjust for differences across the nation and everyone can afford rental housing where they live, potentially lifting millions of individuals and families out of homelessness.