We were grateful to have The 100 Day Challenge featured in an OpEd in the Tennessean as well as a recent front-page article. We also had local news stories highlights through WKRN, News Channel 5 and Fox17. You can visit Safe Haven’s social media channels to view this media coverage. All of the groups involved in the Challenge believe family homelessness is solvable. Our collective vision is a Nashville where family homelessness is rare, brief and nonrecurring, a concept known as “functional zero.” There will likely always be isolated instances of family homelessness in Nashville, but our goal is that when this does happen, our community will be able to respond decisively and quickly so that every family facing homelessness will immediately be connected with resources and housing. We know this vision is possible, and we have the will, energy
and expertise to move towards functional zero. That being said, we cannot do it without the help of donors and housing partners. Please visit 100DayNashville.org for more information on how to get involved. Together, we will do all in our power to continue this important work and make family homelessness a rare occurrence in our community.
PICTURED LEFT TO RIGHT: BRIAN HASSETT, UNITED WAY OF GREATER NASHVILLE CEO; HAL CATO, COMMUNIT Y FOUNDATION OF MIDDLE TN CEO; ERICA MITCHELL , UNITED WAY EXECUTIVE VP; DREW FREEMAN, SAFE HAVEN FAMILY SHELTER CEO.
Understanding Family Homelessness Families are the center of Safe Haven’s work; it is one of the things that make us unique as we keep families experiencing homelessness together as we work to provide housing and resources for them. Family homelessness is different from individual, veteran, or youth homelessness. By definition, family homelessness refers to a lack of stable, safe and appropriate housing for one or more adults with dependent children. Homelessness can impact families across various socio-economic backgrounds and can cause significant challenges for both adults and children. Family homelessness is often referred to as “hidden” or “invisible” in comparison to individuals experiencing homelessness. This is because
Q4 2023
experiencing homelessness on the by name list (a coordinated entry list managed by Metro Social Services). In the 20212022 school year, Metro Nashville Public Schools reported 3,200 students experienced homelessness.
families are often living doubled up (two families living in a space meant for one) or living in cars, motels or shelters. The causes of family homelessness are varied, but among the most common are lack of affordable housing, evictions, medical illness, job loss, lack of living wages and domestic or intimate partner violence. There are currently around 500 families
Understanding the unique nature of family homelessness is crucial in designing effective interventions to support vulnerable families in need of housing support. Safe Haven knows that housing ends homelessness. We work to house families as soon as possible and then provide other programs, resources and referrals. We are also working in partnership with community partners and government offices to find ways to collaborate on services and intervention so that one day, we can end family homelessness.
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