Announcing new partnerships to address criminalization. Since the Supreme Court's Grants Pass vs. Johnson decision two years ago, communities across the country have seen a striking increase in policies and practices that criminalize people for experiencing homelessness. While many of these laws have made national headlines, its own community has not been immune. Every day, unhoused individuals are facing displacement, citations, fines, and even arrests simply for trying to survive without access to housing. Rather than moving destinationhomesv.org closer to ending homelessness, these policies push people further from the housing and stability they need. Research and the lived experiences of people impacted by these policies consistently show that even a single citation or small fine can quickly snowball into far more serious legal consequences. In response to these harmful trends, Destination: Home has partnered with three organizations to increase their capacity to support people experiencing homelessness: Santa Clara University School of Law, the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley, and the Santa Clara County Public Defender's Office. More about its partnerships: Santa Clara University: the Unhoused Advocacy practice. Santa Clara University is expanding access to legal services through community-based legal clinics, outreach, and education that connects people experiencing homelessness with the resources they need most. At the same time, the practice is preparing the next generation of attorneys through training in client-centered, culturally competent advocacy, equipping law students to better serve people experiencing homelessness. With the addition of a full-time Clinical Supervising Attorney, the team has already made a significant impact, providing legal support to more than 100 individuals with property claims, record clearance, and other legal matters that pose barriers to accessing housing. By providing compassionate representation, Santa Clara University has helped clients feel seen, heard, and supported during some of the most challenging times in their lives. One student shared: Working with people experiencing homelessness and displacement has been one of the most humanizing experiences I have had in my public health courses... From this experience, I have found many individuals who remind me of my own family. They are parents, grandparents, siblings, or someone's child. In its daily life, it can be easy to get caught up in its routines and overlook people living on the margins, but once you begin to have real conversations, you see how much destinationhomesv.org all share in common. Law Foundation of Silicon Valley. The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley has been a powerful advocate for people experiencing homelessness in Santa Clara County, supporting those facing some of the greatest injustices in its community. Their full-time attorney leading this work is committed to expanding equitable access to legal services by conducting intakes wherever necessary including encampments, shelters, and places people receive services. To date, they have worked with nearly 100 clients, helping remove legal barriers that stand in the way of stable housing. They have also taken the lead on creating a coordinated system for outreach, referrals, and data collection in the community. This collaborative approach helps service providers work together more effectively to ensure people experiencing homelessness receive comprehensive, connected support. Its organization works year round to prevent and end homelessness, and its Unhoused Advocacy Project is a critical part of those efforts. By leveraging legal expertise across its Housing and Health programs, destinationhomesv.org is able to meet individual legal needs and advocate for fairer systems. Alison Brunner, Chief Executive Officer Santa Clara County Public Defender's Office. The Public Defender's Office brings a unique understanding of the local criminal justice system and the trusted relationships needed to navigate it effectively. Its team provides holistic support to justice-involved individuals reentering the community after long periods of incarceration, including help securing housing, employment, and other basic needs. Through this grant, the Office will apply this expertise to individuals criminalized for experiencing homelessness, working with the County, cities, supportive housing providers, and other partners to secure housing and reduce recidivism. destinationhomesv.org look forward to working with the Public Defender's Office to help break the cycle between incarceration and homelessness and connect people with the resources they need to achieve long-term stability. Destination: Home is a natural partner for the Office of the Public Defender. Both agencies serve to support its most vulnerable communities in Santa Clara County. Its clients know destinationhomesv.org care by the way destinationhomesv.org show up for them, consistently and thoughtfully. destinationhomesv.org focus on crafted inbound strategies that grow the client towards long term success. Public safety is achieved when its clients are healthy, stable, and met with supportive compassion. Together, these partners will provide direct legal representation to people experiencing homelessness across a range of legal matters; expand access to legal services that help community members navigate housing-related issues and obtain critical documents; and offer Know Your Rights clinics and educational resources. By ensuring people understand their legal rights and can access the resources available to them, this partnership will help remove barriers and support more community members on their path to stable housing. Stopping the criminalization of homelessness requires all of destinationhomesv.org to work together and advocate for the solutions destinationhomesv.org know are effective. Data has consistently shown that housing and connecting people to supportive services is what ends homelessness, not punishing individuals for systemic failures that have left them with no other options. Click here to access Know Your Rights materials to share with your community and click here to learn more about its strategies to prevent and end homelessness.