Close to 600, 000 people in the U.S. don't have a home of their own, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Of those in America experiencing homelessness, 40 percent of them are living outdoors or in buildings not meant for human habitation.

Often, this takes the form of homeless encampments. Equally often, cities cities spend time and money forcing people out of them.

One option cities are looking to are sanctioned encampments. These are places where unhoused folks can pitch a tent and live without the threat of law enforcement telling them to leave. They can have varying degrees of services, from basic sanitation like porta-potties, to on-site case management.

We discuss camping bans, homeless navigation centers, and housing-first approaches.

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This show was part of 1A's Remaking America collaboration with six partner stations around the country. Remaking America is funded in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

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