HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS

Below, you can find a timeline of some of the most pertinent news about housing policy, harm reduction policy, and other important health topics that impact our unhoused and housing-insecure community members.

Stay up to date

Stay informed about current events, policies, and research related to homelessness, housing insecurity, and the health of unhoused communities.

Civil Rights and Criminalization of Homelessness
ILCS: Bill of Rights for the Homeless Act HNH: Tracking the Criminalization of Homelessness Penn LDI: Trump Order to Criminalize Homelessness Sparks Alarm PNT: Phoneix Bans Street Medicine DREDF: Condemns the Federal "Treatment First" Toolkit NPR: Sleeping on Public Property a Felony - The Story of Joseph Williams
Where is Homelessness Occuring?
CDFSS: Homeless Point-in-Time Count Chicago Tribune: Increasing Rates of Homelessness NAEH: Homeless Point-in-Time Count By State NHCHC Types of Homelessness Infographic
Understanding the Population Inequity in Homelessness
NAEH: Racial Inequalities in Homelessness, by the Numbers NCUIH: Homelessness Disproportionately Affects American Indian and Alaska Native People NCH: Homelessness Among the LGBTQ Community Carleton: Disability and Homelessness in America
Effects on Children
NHCHC: Homelessness and Adverse Childhood Experiences SHC: 2026 Fact Sheet, K12 Students Experiencing Homelessness NCSL: Youth Homelessness Overview NSF: Sleep and mental health among youth experiencing homelessness

Educate yourself

Learn more about the root causes and health consequences of housing insecurity and homelessness, while exploring evidence-based strategies to support unhoused patients.

Leading Causes of Housing Insecurity
NAEH: Homelessness crisis driven primarily by broader economic and systemic issues NCH: homelessness crises: a lack of low cost housing nationwide and the limited scale of housing assistance programs NAEH: Cutting Funding for Medicaid Will Increase Homelessness BR: Taking Stock of Rural America’s ‘Hidden’ Homeless NILHC: How Much Do You Need to Earn to Afford a Modest Apartment in Your State?
Health and Homelessness
CIDRAP Fall Immunization Infographic preview CDC: Rate of Emergency Department Visits By Homelessnes Status NHCHC: Health Conditions of Unhoused People vs General Population BIJ: Homelessness Kills
Myth vs Fact:
MYTH: People Choose to be Homeless. FACT:There are many reasons why someone may be homeless. Being homeless is stressful, exhausting, humiliating, and dangerous. NYT Homeless Stories

MYTH: People living on the street should just go to a shelter. FACT:There are not enough shelter beds! Many people don’t feel safe in a shelter and feel like their autonomy has been taken away. Homeless Shelter SVdP: The truth behind the top 5 homelessness stereotypes
Unique Challenges of Being Unhoused
SHARE Community: The Power of a Shower Science Direct: Sleep deprivation in an American homeless population Street Sheet: Homelessness and the Digital Divide NAEH: The Disturbing Realities of Homelessness and Violence

Take action

Explore ways to advocate for housing access, social services, and policies that improve health outcomes for unhoused communities.

Action in Advocacy
Housing Not Handcuffs National Alliance to End Homelessness / Emerging Strategies to combat state-level punitive bills Project HOME Contact Your Legislators
Chicago Community Partners
Housing Forward The Night Ministry ShowerUp Live4Lali
Street Medicine
Street Medicine Institute Chicago Street Medicine UIC Street Psychiatry Chicago Recovery Alliance
Support Legal and Social Services
Legal Aid Chicago / Free Legal Services Loyola University Chicago / Health Justice Project Chicago Help Initiative / Social Services

Talk to patients

Build skills for engaging unhoused patients with empathy, trauma-informed communication, and trust-centered care.

Taking a Patient History: HOUSEDBEDS
USC: HOUSEDBEDS
“We are all human.”
Homelessness and the Language of Stigma Labelling the Homeless: A road to Dehumanization BB: Smiles, greetings, and eye contact. How interaction humanizes the homeless The Good Neighbor Guide
Understanding the Reality of Not Having a Home
Jeffery's Hands

Jeffrie's Hands Sam

Sam: Bicyclist passing by unaware of him

Dan mourning his wife

Dan: Mourning the loss of his wife Rhonda Jimmy and Rats

Jimmy and Rats

Care Guidelines
NHCHC: Pre- and Post-Operative Care NHCHC: Creating Care and Discharge Plans for People Experiencing Homelessness who are Hospitalized