Reviewed by: Pat Byington
City provides resources to help homelessness—learn more on Dec. 1 at Regions Field free symposium
Reading time: 4 minutes
The City of Birmingham is increasing its efforts and funding to help combat homelessness in Birmingham.
In addition to recent financial investments, including $1.5 million toward strengthening services, shelters and aid, they’re opening the floor for conversations with community partners and the community itself.
On Monday, December 1, the city and One Roof, a non-profit that works to advocate, educate and coordinate services to combat homelessness, will join forces at Regions Field for a free symposium to discuss how Birmingham can come together to address this crucial issue.
The State of Homelessness: event details + what to expect
The issue of homelessness affects and concerns us all, and should be addressed as a civic, economic and public health issue. It deserves a community-wide response.
“This is an event for our entire community, including homeless service providers, city leaders, businesses, faith groups and residents, to come together in one room to reimagine what it truly means to care for our neighbors.
It’s a moment for Birmingham to align our vision and say, collectively, that homelessness is a shared challenge we can solve together.”
Gordon Sullivan, Executive Director of One Roof
This symposium is designed to cover these topics and more, including:
- how we can combine compassion with accountability as a community
- ensuring access to housing, services and pathways to stability
- addressing public safety + community concerns
- standardizing Continuum of Care (CoC) policies + procedures
- leveraging federal, state + local funding
- strengthening partnerships with business owners, civic leaders + neighborhoods
“People can expect honest conversations and a clear look at where Birmingham stands when it comes to homelessness in our community.
You’ll hear directly from leaders, service providers and those with lived experience of homelessness. Most importantly, you’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of how you can be part of the solution.”
Gordon Sullivan, Executive Director of One Roof
Event details:
- Where: Regions Field in the Parkside district downtown, 1401 1st Ave S
- When: Monday, December 1 from 1-5PM
- Cost: Free
- Event details here
Why ending homelessness matters
One Roof’s work in Birmingham involves lots of hard work + smiling faces. (One Roof)
The number of newly homeless in our area each year is on the rise, according to data from One Roof, and this includes veterans, children and people of all races and backgrounds. Anyone could become homeless or face housing instability, and it’s up to the community to provide stability, solutions and support. This is an issue that affects and impacts us all.
“One of the biggest misconceptions is that people ‘choose’ to be homeless. In reality, that’s rarely true.
When we recently surveyed individuals living in encampments, the overwhelming majority told us they want stable housing. Yes, a small number may choose to remain unhoused, but most people are simply navigating barriers, like high rents, health issues or lack of support.
The truth is, people want housing, and our community has the power to make that possible.”
Gordon Sullivan, Executive Director of One Roof
Fortunately there’s some good news happening to address these issues in and around Birmingham, including a new shelter for Jimmie Hale Mission and the city’s Home for All Microshelter program.
If you can’t make it to Monday’s event, there are other ways to help support and combat homelessness in central Alabama, including:
“Right now, Birmingham is investing more resources than ever into addressing homelessness, and we have an opportunity to align those investments with the coordinated care of our existing homeless Continuum of Care, the boots on the ground doing the work each and every day.
With housing costs rising and more people on the edge of homelessness, our work matters because safe, stable housing is the foundation for a healthy community.”
Gordon Sullivan, Executive Director of One Roof
If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness and need resources, check out One Roof’s helpful list.
Make sure to attend the event at Regions Field on Monday, and help do your part to strengthen our community for all Birminghamians.
