Dear friend,

We've had a busy fall here at Insight Housing, and I'm excited to share some of our recent initiatives in this newsletter. As we enter the season of gratitude and giving, it's the perfect time to reflect on the meaningful impact we have had together.

This edition highlights our ongoing efforts to address housing insecurity, promote community health, and engage in local advocacy. From thought-provoking events to direct support services, we continue to work towards our vision of a community where everyone has a place to call home.

Your support has been instrumental in this work. As you read below, I hope you'll see how much your contribution is reflected in our mission. Every act of kindness helps provide warm meals, safe shelter, and pathways to permanent housing.

Together for our community,

Angela Upshaw
Chief Operating Officer
Insight Housing

Housing is Healthcare!

Our second annual Community Conversations event brought together experts and community members to discuss the critical connection between housing and health. The panel, including medical professionals, community leaders, and individuals with lived experience, explored the multifaceted impacts of homelessness on health and the importance of comprehensive, wraparound services.

The discussion underscored the need for a holistic approach to addressing homelessness, combining housing solutions with healthcare access, trauma-informed care, and community support. Slone Willingham, a member of Insight Housing's Lived Experience Advisory Panel, shared personal stories that illustrated the life-changing impact of supportive housing and comprehensive care. Melissa Jones, Executive Director of the Bay Area Regional Health Inequities Initiative (BARHII), highlighted how housing costs put immense pressure on family budgets, leading to difficult trade-offs between food, healthcare, and housing itself.

As we move forward, the message is clear: addressing homelessness requires a unified, compassionate approach that recognizes housing as a fundamental component of healthcare and human dignity.

Our Endorsements for the Upcoming Election

Insight Housing is endorsing two critical ballot measures in the November 2024 election that promise to deepen our local and state-wide housing support. We invite you to join us in voting YES on these measures to continue supporting critical housing services and infrastructure.

Measure W - This Berkeley ballot measure extends the benefits of Measure P, which has been instrumental in funding service providers like Insight Housing in Berkeley. Measure P has helped triple shelter beds and close large encampments, significantly reducing homelessness in our community.

Proposition 5 - This California proposition lowers the voting threshold for borrowing funds to construct affordable housing and public infrastructure from a two-thirds majority to 55%. It is crucial for funding the permanent supportive housing projects that Insight Housing develops.

Read more about these two ballot measures and why they're important for our work and our community on our website here.

Surge of Support

Following a successful Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Surge in Sacramento—an intensive, short-term initiative designed to rapidly connect unhoused Veterans with immediate shelter and pathways to permanent housing—Insight Housing is excited to be participating in the Oakland Surge from now until October 25. During the Sacramento event, our team quickly identified a critical medical emergency, and ensured that Veterans received prompt care and immediate access to interim housing.

Now, as we prepare for the Oakland Surge, we aim to continue this momentum by connecting unhoused Veterans with immediate shelter and pathways to permanent housing. This initiative is vital for transitioning Veterans from the streets into safe, stable homes.

We invite you to read more about the impact of Surges and how you can support our efforts on our blog here.

Help Us Make This Thanksgiving Special

Our team at the Hope Center is busy preparing for our Thanksgiving Community Meal, a special gathering dedicated to those experiencing food and housing insecurity. We’re excited to create a warm and welcoming environment where everyone can come together in the spirit of gratitude and connection.

As we gear up for this meaningful event on Friday, November 22, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., we invite you to support this important effort. So many individuals and families in our communities are struggling with access to nutritious meals. Your involvement can help ensure that no one goes hungry during this season and beyond.

You can get involved in our work by donating, volunteering, or more here.

This season of giving is a wonderful opportunity to help us spread joy and support those in need. Whether through a financial contribution or by lending a hand, your involvement helps us make this meal a memorable experience for everyone. 

Whether it’s volunteering, attending one of our events or making a donation, there are so many ways for you to be a part of Insight Housing’s impact. Click the button below to learn more!