How do we build compassionate solutions to homelessness while creating true community connections?

In this episode, I talk with Elizabeth Colorado, an advocate with the Lived Experience Advisory Board at Destination: Home, about housing, homelessness, and what real community solutions look like. Elizabeth shares her personal journey through homelessness, domestic violence, and incarceration, and explains why including people with lived experience in policy decisions is crucial for creating effective solutions. We explore the gaps in our current system, the barriers that prevent people from accessing help, and how neighbors can show up for each other during this critical moment in San Jose's approach to homelessness.

This episode's News You Need covers the clash between state and local approaches to homelessness - from Senate Bill 634's protection of basic survival to Mayor Mahan's "Responsibility to Shelter" initiative and Governor Newsom's model ordinance for encampment clearances. We also dive into the sobering statistics: while California helped 70,000 people exit homelessness last year, 190,000 became homeless for the first time, and in Santa Clara County, 1.7 households fall into homelessness for every one that exits. Our Community Spotlight features Make Music Day San José, a city-wide celebration bringing together musicians and music lovers across every neighborhood on June 21st. For Take Action, I suggest attending community events that matter to you, educating yourself on local issues, and finding moments of joy to sustain your community engagement.

News You Need Sources:

• Senate Bill 634 - Homelessness: civil and criminal penalties - California Legislature
• Governor Newsom's Model Ordinance for Encampment Response - Governor of California
• San Jose Mayor's "Responsibility to Shelter" Initiative - Office of Mayor Matt Mahan

Community Spotlight:

• Make Music Day San José - makemusicday.org/sanjose
• FoxTale Fermentation Project - foxtale.beer
• San Jose Museum of Art - sjmusart.org

Guest Information:

• Elizabeth Colorado - Destination: Home
• Lived Experience Advisory Board - Contact through Destination: Home

Take Action:

• Find local advocacy events - Check Eventbrite San Jose and community organization websites
• Learn about San Jose city budget - City of San José Budget Information
• Make Music Day San José venues and schedule - makemusicday.org/sanjose
• Contact your representatives about housing policy - City of San José Council Districts