Paul Powell on LinkedIn: Age UK Birmingham kindly delivered some thoughtful Christmas gifts to one… (2025)

As we inch towards the holidays, there are over 7,000 households in Chelsea struggling to cover blistering rents and utility bills. Many are one unforeseen setback away from homelessness - an unanticipated car repair, sudden job loss, or a severe medical complication. It’s a bitter, inescapable reality for too many community members. This season, please consider contributing to La Colaborativa’s Whatever It Takes Campaign. Every act of generosity allows us to ensure local families, regardless of income or immigration status, have safe, dignified housing, fulfilling economic opportunity, and equitable, healthyt neighborhoods. https://lnkd.in/e3kXS-dZ

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🌟 Transforming Faith into Homes: A New Path for Communities 🌟Did you know that religious groups own millions of acres of land and thousands of underutilized buildings across the U.S.? These spaces hold incredible potential to help solve America’s affordable housing crisis.🏘️ Success Stories:Take Arlington Presbyterian Church in Virginia. By transforming its building into 173 affordable housing units, the church embraced a mission bigger than itself, proving how faith and innovation can reshape communities.🛠️ Challenges:Converting churches into housing isn’t simple—it requires navigating zoning laws, financing hurdles, and community debates. Yet, the opportunities are immense: one study suggests faith-owned land could create 700,000+ housing units in urban areas alone!💡 Hope for the Future:Organizations like RootedGood and LA Voice are empowering faith groups with the tools to develop housing, childcare centers, and even healthcare hubs. Together, they’re reimagining these spaces as vibrant centers of community care.📣 A Call to Action:What if our local churches or temples could help tackle the housing shortage? With patience, creativity, and collaboration, faith-based organizations are proving they can be a part of the solution.Let’s unlock the power of “Yes in God’s Backyard!”#AffordableHousing #FaithInAction #CommunityCare #YIGBY #HousingSolutions #HomesForAll

🏡 Why the Cost of Home MattersIn the US, families are facing a tough reality: paying an excessive amount for a home. At Habitat, we believe that spending more than 30% of income on housing shouldn't be the norm. Yet, in 2021, nearly 1 in 6 households paid over half their income on housing.From cities to suburbs, to rural areas, the dream of a stable home is too often out of reach. This is simply unacceptable.We're not just building houses; we're advocating for change. Habitat affiliates are tirelessly working to reform discriminatory land and zoning policies. Our goal? To create affordable homes and equitable opportunities everywhere.Discover how Habitat champions housing advocacy every day. 🌍✊ Watch our video and join us in driving equity in housing. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/dPt2mrZ...#HabitatForHumanity #AffordableHousing #HFHNCC #household #advocacy #opportunity #city #suburb #reality #housing #home #community #land #construction #diy #houses #volunteer #donate #like #share #comment #Monday #fyp

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✨️ Amazing news! ✨️ 🌱 Well-City Salisbury, the pioneering wellbeing project which helps people with mental health needs through arts and heritage courses, has received £368,135 of funding from The National Lottery Community Fund. 🤯 🌱 Working with ArtCareUK, Wiltshire Creative and Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, the project has delivered 29 creative courses over the past 4 years to 191 participants and hosted 53 community events. 🎨🏛️ 🌱 Well-City Salisbury will return in Spring 2025, so for more information on how to get involved or support the project, visit our website: 🔗 https://ow.ly/85PW50UhumA

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*Housing policy input desired*The housing crisis in Stark County is multifaceted, impacting both single-parent and two-parent households. A variety of housing programs, including public housing and Section 8 vouchers are aimed at addressing housing instability for low-income families. However, a significant portion of these programs primarily benefit single-parent households. For example, reportedly, out of the 1,386 households in SMHA's Section 8 program, 842 are headed by single mothers, while only 35 are two-parent households. This skew reflects broader systemic issues where more single-parent families qualify for assistance.Many other programs focus on individuals with special needs, extremely low income, or vulnerable populations ( i.e mental health or substance use).The overwhelming demand for housing assistance means that many families, particularly two-parent ones, struggle to qualify or receive the necessary support. This focus on single-parent families can inadvertently encourage household division, as it becomes easier for these families to qualify for aid. This phenomenon raises concerns about whether housing programs are unintentionally contributing to broken households by offering more support to single-parent units rather than unified family structures. These patterns indicate a need for more inclusive policies that support all family types, ensuring stability for both single-parent and two-parent households, but with so many experiencing housing instability how can this be done??The leaders of these housing organizations are working tirelessly to help families, but they have to follow the policies put in place. What has been working in other places to support unified, 2 parent households vs just single parent households??Habitat is a great program.I want to learn more. Post belowhttps://lnkd.in/gQdGmn_y

As the frost begins to settle and the nights grow longer, we embrace the spirit of giving. St John's Care is reaching out for your support during our Winter Appeal when the plight of the vulnerable is most acute. St John's Care provides urgent relief across the ACT region. Your generosity is the lifeline for many, with our mission sustained by donations from the community, church groups, benevolent businesses, and kind-hearted individuals like you.Our team is made up of volunteers and professionals, adapting flexibly to the diverse needs of those who come to our door. Yet, the number of crises our community is experiencing is complex. With growing concern, we witness the increasing housing crisis and the issues of those trapped in homelessness. Those in dire need, including individuals grappling with severe health issues, disabilities, survivors of domestic violence, and vulnerable children, confront an average waiting period of 256 days for priority housing – a daunting span in the best of times, let alone in the harshness of winter. This for what is a fundamental human necessity. Pamela a mother of two, is "lucky" enough to have an onsite van in a caravan park. However, while the onsite fees keep rising, her pension does not. She and her young children are on the government waitlist for housing. No wonder she is struggling, paying 75% of her pension in rent.The economic landscape only heightens this struggle as rising interest rates pour into the rental market, squeezing the financial stability of private renters. The upsurge in requests for necessities like food and clothing is a telling sign of the times. Alarmingly, we now even see homeowners seeking help, trapped by the interest hikes that once seemed a distant concern. SJC is adapting as best we can to provide respite—offering sleeping bags, tents, and backpack beds for those without shelter and ensuring that even those relegated to their cars or couches receive the warmth of a doona.A recent testament to our efforts is the heart-wrenching story of a father and his two children, who, after six harrowing months of sleeping in their car, have finally found a sanctuary to call home. Their journey is a stark reminder of the lasting scars such hardship can inflict, particularly on innocent young lives. Your gift to our Winter Appeal can kindle hope and offer the promise of shelter and security. Banding together we make a difference. https://lnkd.in/gsZTyCAH#canberra #charity #donatenow #thankyou Image: Snow on the mountains behind Parliament House in Canberra

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Autumn is upon us. The darkness of night eats into the precious light of day, while people add layers to combat the cold as temperatures start to chill. Changing seasons, changing landscapes, winter approaching with the inevitable consequence on mood, cold and darkness monopolising the conversation. And while thoughts of warm get-aways and pending festive merriments occupy the minds of the haves, what of the others among us, the have nots, those living with uncertainty over the very basic necessities of everyday life, like a safe environment to call home. The figures from charities and government bodies around those living on the streets or one step away from it are stark. In 2024 there are an estimated 38K households deemed at risk of homelessness, with a further 117K in temporary accommodation. Many people, already struggling with health and complex family life issues, are overwhelmed by the added pressures caused by the impending reality of unsecured housing. For those finding themselves in this traumatic situation, it is only the timely intervention by ‘good Samaritans’ that stave off the inevitable. JustUs, a charity based in Bedford is one such saving grace to those looking for a helping hand navigating the complexity and bureaucracy of local government housing provisions. Operating with only a limited budget and a small team of highly motivated lived experience caseworkers, JustUs have helped hundreds of vulnerable individuals over the past 10 years secure suitable accommodation. Here at Project EIDOS we are proud to be a supporter of JustUs and invite all of you to champion organisations within your own local communities making a marked difference to the fortunes of others.https://lnkd.in/e8Sz7Yj9

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#HousingOpportunityFund Rally Recap: Last Week, BiSHoP rallied with SF Community Organizers in support of subsidies that address the hardships of extremely low-income (ELI) seniors, working families, and disabled individuals. The fund would provide rental subsidies to bridge the gap between very low-income and ELI rent levels. For less than 1% of San Francisco's budget, this subsidy would make 700+ units affordable to ELI households by 2026, and 2,800+ households by 2031. Thank you to our fellow city organizers who joined us in this rally, including Senior and Disability Action, Self-Help for the Elderly, Chinatown Community Development Center, Young Community Developers, andMission Economic Development Agency.Join us in supporting this crucial initiative to ensure inclusive and equitable housing opportunities for all San Franciscans, regardless of income level. Stay tuned for updates on the measure's introduction and upcoming hearings. #HousingForAll #AffordableHousingForAll #EquityInHousing #SanFrancisco #SFNonProfit #BayAreaHousing #HumanRights #AffordableHousingMonth

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To My Los Angeles Community,These past few days have been nothing short of heartbreaking. Watching the fires sweep through our city, taking with them not only homes but lifetimes of memories, has been devastating. To the families whose homes were lost: I can only imagine the pain, uncertainty, and frustration you’re feeling right now.But even amidst this loss, I want to remind us of something powerful—this city and its people are built on resilience. While it’s hard to see beyond the ashes, this is not the end of your story. Homes can be rebuilt, memories can find new spaces to thrive, and a brighter future awaits.If you’re in a place where you don’t know where to start, take it one step at a time. Lean on your neighbors, reach out to local organizations offering support, and let’s come together to rebuild not just homes but hope for a stronger tomorrow.For those in real estate, construction, and community planning: Now is the time to step up. Let’s think not only about rebuilding homes but creating spaces that are safer, stronger, and built to withstand future challenges. This is your opportunity to make a lasting impact on families and communities across Los Angeles.To anyone who feels helpless right now: You have the power to help. Donate, volunteer, or simply lend a listening ear to someone in need. Every little action makes a difference.Here’s a video that touched me deeply—a glimpse into the resilience of those affected and the strength of our community in action: Video credit BBC News Let’s rise from the ashes, together.Remember: It’s not just about what we’ve lost; it’s about what we’ll build next.With love and determination,Shriya patel#LosAngelesStrong #LACommunity #CaliforniaFires #RebuildLA #HopeInHardTimes #RealEstateRecovery #TogetherWeRise #CommunityMatters #WestCoastResilience #HomesRebuilt #RebuildTogether #CaliforniaLiving #USCommunitySupport #RealEstateForChange #WeStandWithLA #SupportOurNeighbors #RebuildingHope #LosAngelesRealEstate #LAHousing #StrongerTogether #CommunityFirst #DisasterRelief #CaliforniaRealEstate #NeighborhoodRecovery #RebuildDreams #LosAngelesLove

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The Dsquared Homes for the Homeless GAP program assisted our 100th client with rent today! I'm extremely proud of this initiative, which came about from my son being denied temporary housing over a $40 income shortage I wasn't allowed to cover. He lived in Kiwanis Park for one year, and though I fought hard, he never received help. My motto is, "Don't TALK about it, BE about it' because it's more normal to complain about what someone else ISN'T doing (especially the government) than it is to look at ourselves and figure out how WE can make a difference. I founded this nonprofit to assist those experiencing a temporary setback with rent, and it's exactly what we've done without help from the government. I don't believe in excuses, and complaining about what the government wasn't doing, certainly wasn't helping my son when he lived in the park.Dsquared Homes for the Homeless is recruiting an Administrative Assistant (we always need a Fundraising Director) whose role will include representing Dsquared in Zoom meetings with our community partners. My preference for the Admin Position is someone who is retired or only works part-time because they will have the flexibility required for this role. Although we do not have monthly meetings (most of us work while volunteering with Dsquared), we are known well enough that businesses reach out to support our mission through their organizations regularly.This volunteer MUST be a self-starter but does NOT need to live in Arizona as the entire role is supporting us with Admin duties, and representing us on Zoom calls. Who do you know that wants to make an immediate impact in the community, and has a passion for underserved populations?Learn more about us at Dsquared4homeless.org and email your resume to Admin@dsquared4homeless.org.#mentalhealthawareness#homelessnessawareness#Dsquared4homeless#Nonprofit

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