The challenge faced by CEOs of Texas homelessness nonprofits is that every charitable organization wants to receive contributions right now. However, there are several initiatives in place to address homelessness in Texas. The City of Austin Homeless Strategy Division and Innovation Office announced that more than 20 local nonprofit organizations had been awarded contracts worth $1 million to address homelessness in Austin better (Alcock et al., 2021). The 21 recipients were selected through a panel that included community advocates and people who have experienced homelessness. Each organization supports people experiencing homelessness throughout Austin and Travis County. The organizations provide employment and education support, housing connections, benefits enrollment, and basic needs.
Methodology
The nonprofit organization used creative problem-solving, group problem-solving, and a decision matrix to solve their problem. Creative problem-solving allowed the group to explore potential solutions regardless of whether the problem was defined. This approach was appropriate because the nonprofit was experiencing a complex problem that required new perspectives and creativity to find a solution. The group employed the How-Now-Wow Matrix, a method for handling problems that promote original thought, inventiveness, and the decision-making process of fresh approaches (Scheffler, 2020). This technique was appropriate because it helped the group to think outside the box and avoid gravitating towards familiar solutions (Egelhoff & Wolf, 2017).
The nonprofit also used group problem-solving to find a solution to their problem. Communication was essential in problem-solving because it was necessary to recognize and express the issue to address it adequately. The group brainstormed a list of problems and organized them into a hierarchy using the Problem Tree technique. This technique was appropriate because it helped the group identify and prioritize the most critical problems (Egelhoff & Wolf, 2017). The group also held a whiteboard brainstorming session where team members could add ideas, thoughts, or feedback. This approach was suitable because it enabled the group to collaborate and share resources crucial to the entrepreneurial process.
Finally, the nonprofit used a decision matrix for the best solution. The decision matrix lets the group choose which stakeholders to involve, consult with, or tell. This method was suitable because it assisted in classifying stakeholders according to their relative impact and interest in the issue (Egelhoff & Wolf, 2017). To determine what to work on next, the group also collectively discussed the tasks that received the most votes. This technique was appropriate because it helped the group make quick decisions, which is crucial in effective project planning and administration. Overall, the nonprofit used various problem-solving techniques appropriate for their complex problem and helped them find a creative and effective solution.
Findings
After researching Texas homelessness nonprofits, the following key findings were identified. First, there is a significant need for more funding and resources to support homeless individuals and families. HUD’s 2019 Point in Time Count estimates that over 25,000 homeless individuals live in the state. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs has received almost $33,000,000 from the Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) program for street outreach, emergency shelter, fast rehousing, and homelessness prevention. While there has been progressing, such as a 19% decrease in overall homelessness in the Houston region since 2020 due to a $200 million investment, more must be done to address this issue (Scheffler, 2020). Nonprofits like the Texas Homeless Network (THN) are working to create mechanisms to end homelessness in Texas by partnering with localities nationwide. It is time to change the narrative around homelessness and provide the necessary support to those in need.
To help decide which nonprofits to support, a decision matrix was created that considers factors such as the nonprofit’s impact on the community, financial stability, and transparency. The matrix is shown below:
| Nonprofit | Impact on Community | Financial Stability | Transparency | Total Score |
|———–|———————|———————|————–|————-|
| Nonprofit A | 8 | 7 | 9 | 24 |
| Nonprofit B | 9 | 6 | 8 | 23 |
| Nonprofit C | 7 | 8 | 7 | 22 |
| Nonprofit D | 6 | 9 | 6 | 21 |
Based on the decision matrix, Nonprofit A was recommended as it has the highest total score and is the most effective in impacting the community.
Below is a graph to show the relationship between public donations and the expenses of nonprofit organizations to help people experiencing homelessness. Giving to charity is also influenced by the public’s perception of nonprofit groups. The nonprofit literature strongly emphasizes building, preserving, and re-establishing public confidence through ethical behavior. The risk of losing a donor’s trust is lower for nonprofits with sizable endowments and earned-income portfolios or do not take tax-deductible donations.
Houston has also made remarkable progress in addressing homelessness by working with county agencies and convincing many local businesses, corporations, and charity organizations to row in unison. The Rocket Community Fund seeks to make complicated and unfair systems more manageable so every citizen can access secure, wholesome living (Teixeira, 2021). The fund invests in initiatives that support locals and their families and lessen evictions. Covenant House is a 501(c) organization that builds bridges and channels to hope for young people experiencing homelessness and human trafficking while also providing for their urgent needs and the support necessary to transition to a life with stable housing and a brighter future.
Recommendations
One way to help end homelessness is to communicate effectively about it. It matters how individuals discuss eradicating homelessness in their neighborhoods. (Allen et al., 2020). Everyone must link all the connections to understand how their policy choices impact people in ways that could cause them to become homeless or make it challenging to become housed again. Cooperation is essential for destitution to be eradicated; it requires collaborating with the nonprofit and private sectors and utilizing their specialized knowledge, local experience, and resources to take effective action. (Allen et al., 2020). Supporting permanent supportive housing programs is also a long-term solution to ending homelessness in the community. These initiatives provide the community’s most vulnerable members experiencing chronic homelessness with long-term rental assistance in affordable housing, supportive resources, and individualized case management. (Jackson, 2021).
Another way to help end homelessness in the community is to speak up for those experiencing it. Homelessness is a complicated issue that necessitates numerous solutions and extensive community participation. Advocacy can be done at the local, state, and federal levels, as homelessness are impacted by legislation at all levels. The Metro Dallas Homeless On their website, under the “Community Engagement – Understanding Homelessness” tab, Alliance offers excellent introduction films (Allen et al., 2020). These videos can serve as a starting point for individuals who want to learn more about homelessness and how to advocate for individuals experiencing homelessness. The United Way of Metropolitan Dallas promotes affordable housing and works to make North Texas families’ housing more stable to avoid homelessness. Housing stability is a critical factor in preventing homelessness, and advocacy for affordable housing can help prevent individuals and families from becoming homeless in the first place(Allen et al., 2020).
Advocating for homeless people is a different method to help end homelessness in the neighborhood. The Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance’s website offers excellent introduction films under the “Community Engagement – Understanding Homelessness” tab. One step in finding solutions to end homelessness is to comprehend its causes (Allen et al., 2020). To identify the Continuum of Care homeless response area, THN offers a statewide graphic. The lead agency website for the area is where more regional partner agencies can be discovered. By working together, individuals and organizations can help make homelessness a rare, brief, and one-time event for Texans.
Conclusion
In conclusion, CEOs for Texas homelessness nonprofits hope their donors will help them address the issue of homelessness in the state. However, every charitable organization wants to receive contributions right now. Some organizations have received contracts worth $1 million to address homelessness in Austin better. For those who are homeless in Austin, To Found is a nonprofit that offers low-barrier opportunities, case management, and humanitarian assistance. The City of Austin Homeless Strategy Division and Innovation Office provides basic needs services to individuals experiencing homelessness. To avoid and end homelessness among those who suffer from mental or substance use disorders, SAMHSA provides programs and tools. Several bills have been filed to help Texans experiencing homelessness, including establishing a statewide database to track and reunite families and investing money into a managed care program.
References
Alcock, R., Carr, H., & Kirton-Darling, E. (2021). Housing, homelessness, and covid-19. Pandemic Legalities, 131–142. https://doi.org/10.1332/policypress/9781529218916.003.0011
Allen, M., Benjaminsen, L., O’Sullivan, E., & Pleace, N. (2020). Before the goal of ‘ending homelessness’: The evolution of policy. Ending Homelessness? 29–46. https://doi.org/10.1332/policypress/9781447347170.003.0002
Egelhoff, W. G., & Wolf, J. (2017). Decision-making within Matrix Structures. Understanding Matrix Structures and Their Alternatives, 131–160. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-57975-1_6
Jackson, K. (2021). Researching families exiting homelessness. Family Homelessness, pp. 33–46. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203825297-4
Scheffler, B. (2020). ‘it is real’: Experiences of family homelessness in Fort Worth, Texas. SSRN Electronic Journal.https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3703473
Teixeira, L. (2021). Ending homelessness for good: A Manifesto. Representing homelessness, pp. 101–112. https://doi.org/10.5871/bacad/9780197267240.003.0006
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