My Experience at the Texas Conference on Ending Homelessness

I had the privilege to attend the 2023 Texas Conference on Ending Homelessness, a three-day event that took place at the Southpark Hotel in Austin. The conference brought together people from various backgrounds to discuss solutions to prevent and end homelessness in Texas.

The conference was well-organized, and the sessions were informative and engaging. I had the opportunity to attend several sessions, each providing me with valuable insights into the challenges that homeless individuals face and the efforts being made to address them.

One of the most memorable sessions I attended was hosted by Laura Williamson from the Austin Community Court, and it was about Austin's Homelessness Advisory Council (AHAC). The council is made up of 15 individuals with lived experience and expertise who provide insights on processes, programs, and practices regarding the homeless population. Their input shapes programs for City departments, government entities, and social service providers. Currently, they are focusing on improving stability for recently housed individuals. The most beneficial part of the session was listening to the panel with lived experience. Each panel member shared intimate details of their journey including the highs and lows. Many of them conveyed the feeling of doom after receiving housing, as they were only a month away from being back where they started - homeless. Some spoke of experiencing mental health challenges post-housing, like depression. Another topic discussed was how some solutions were implemented, probably with good intentions, but they simply did not work for some individuals. One person mentioned being rapidly housed and provided work (yay!) only to lose the support of his case manager (boo!) because he made too much money (<$28k). This person felt their best shot at remaining stable was supportive services and case management.

Another memorable session I attended was "I Am A Black Woman In Leadership, What Now?" hosted by Daphne Houston and Breanna Willaims from Christian Community Action. They provided practical tools for overcoming imposter syndrome, selecting and managing a mentor, and establishing healthy boundaries. To encourage everyone to connect and share resources, we were asked to network and engage with others in the room. The discussion was engaging, and I felt mentally stimulated as I absorbed the tactics and connected with others. One of the session's highlights was the potential follow-up cohort that would connect all attendees, providing us with opportunities to continue to plug in and use what we learned.

I attended a session hosted by Michael Wilt from Texas State Affordable Housing, Kevin James from Corporation for Supportive Housing Greater Houston, and Sally Gaskin from SGI Ventures. It was about Scaling Up Organizations To Meet The Supportive Housing Needs Of Their Communities. During our discussion, the hosts informed us about the essential components of implementing a successful permanent housing program. They shared data about Cady Lofts, which is currently in development as a permanent supportive housing facility, and highlighted the complexities involved in bringing such a facility to fruition. The panel discussed key aspects such as site selection, building partnerships, and leveraging financing, all of which are crucial for the success of any permanent housing program. This was the only session I attended showing a new housing development in the works, and it was inspiring. Adding solutions where possible and renovating others can be exciting and uplifting for the community.

Apart from the sessions, the conference also provided an excellent opportunity to network with other attendees. I met people from different organizations and backgrounds, and we shared our experiences and insights. Seeing how passionate and dedicated people are about ending homelessness in Texas was inspiring.

In conclusion, attending the Texas Conference on Ending Homelessness was a great experience. It was informative, insightful, and inspiring. The conference was an excellent opportunity to learn from experts in the field, connect with like-minded individuals, and gain knowledge about current and future initiatives to prevent and end homelessness. I would highly recommend this conference to anyone passionate about ending homelessness and supporting those who are experiencing it.