The Housing Narrative Lab, in collaboration with national housing, homelessness, and immigration groups, released a new resource, “Framing/Messaging Guidance,” on how to address the housing needs of asylum seekers and migrants. Available in English and Spanish, the resource was released in response to the 2023 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR), published by HUD last month (see Memo, 12/18/2023). The 2023 report estimates that approximately 653,100 people were experiencing homelessness on a single night in 2023 – a 12% increase (or about 70,650 more people) from 2022. The messaging guidance is meant to be used as a guide rather than a script for communities facing an increase in asylum seekers, refugees, or other immigrants while also facing a severe shortage of affordable housing.
The Annual Homeless Assessment Report from HUD does not consider immigration status in homelessness data. Advocates created the new messaging guidance to push back against anti-immigrant rhetoric as many communities welcome newcomers while facing a severe shortage of affordable housing. In a joint press statement addressing the report, NLIHC, the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH), and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) stated that “[t]he failure to fund deeply affordable housing hurts longtime residents and newcomers alike. Some communities have seen an increase in asylum seekers or other new immigrants this year, and the lack of rental and income assistance has left many newcomers with nowhere to stay while they get on their feet. Homelessness is unacceptable regardless of who experiences it. In such a powerful, wealthy country, we have the resources to ensure everyone an affordable place to live.”
Read the guidance in English.
Read the guidance in Español.