The Shared Housing 2024 Conference, co-coordinated by Townspeople and the Shared Housing Institute, will be held from October 29 through October 31, 2024, at The Dana on Mission Bay (1710 W Mission Bay Dr, San Diego, CA 92109). This three-day event aims to help individuals and teams committed to ending homelessness build capacity to implement effective shared housing and landlord engagement practices. The conference offers a unique opportunity for housing leaders, organizations, and advocates to come together, collaborate, and learn. This collective effort is crucial in helping communities expand the crucial housing option of shared housing more effectively. Organizations are encouraged to send their team of trainers to become shared housing and landlord engagement specialists. These specialists then teach local peers about shared housing processes to prevent and end homelessness. Homelessness has increased by 12% across the U.S. since 2022. With fewer affordable units available and increased competition for those units, households with extremely low incomes and people exiting homelessness are at a growing disadvantage in finding and keeping housing. Adapting to and reinforcing a system-wide culture of shared housing options is now necessary, with the goal of moving people out of shelters and into housing as soon as possible. With the rising costs of rent across the nation, many households need help finding affordable units that meet their needs. Landlords or property managers are often hesitant to accept rental assistance due to contract rent limitations or the additional administrative process of unit inspections. However, if adequately supported, property owners can play a crucial role in ending homelessness and housing instability by working with service providers and community members to reduce housing barriers and increase access to existing housing stock. “Shared housing has the potential to address housing instability in a way that is both practical and community-driven. The Shared Housing 2024 Conference brings together leaders and advocates to share proven strategies and create a unified approach to expanding housing options. Our goal is to help communities implement shared housing effectively, empowering both tenants and landlords to be part of the solution to ending homelessness.” — Melissa Peterman, Executive Director, Townspeople Conference attendees will gain insight into Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) housing programs, tools for managing tough conversations with participants, property owners, and stakeholders, conflict management resources for shared housing success and property owner engagement strategies for improved housing options. This conference is coordinated by Townspeople and the Shared Housing Institute, with support from Goddard Consulting, Co. It is sponsored by Kaiser Permanente and Funders Together to End Homelessness San Diego. For more information or to register, please visit https://townspeople.org/shared-housing-2024-conference/. ABOUT TOWNSPEOPLE Founded in 1984 in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Townspeople aims to end homelessness and enhance community health through housing and services. Initially focused on supporting those affected by HIV/AIDS, Townspeople opened San Diego’s first permanent supportive housing program for this group in 1994. Over the past 30 years, the organization has expanded to finance, build, and manage affordable housing, offering critical support services to medically vulnerable individuals. Currently, Townspeople is the lead agency for the San Diego Shared Housing Collaborative and owns and operates four affordable apartment complexes with 118 units, runs a non-congregate emergency housing program, and provides rental assistance and referrals for housing, food, case management, government benefits, and social supports. Their complexes are located in Colina Del Sol, City Heights, Normal Heights, and Southcrest. Visit: Shared Housing 2024 Conference Townspeople on Instagram and Facebook
