Unlocking Housing Access:

A Practical Guide to Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Key Speakers

Overview

The path out of homelessness isn’t just about policy, it’s about real solutions that help real people find a place to call home. Whether you’re a service provider, a local official, or a community member, this webinar will equip you with actionable steps and a clearer understanding of how individuals and families can actually get housed today.

This session brings together experts from affordable housing, Section 8, county social services, and both public and private sector partners. Instead of broad mission statements, our speakers will walk you through the nuts and bolts of what it takes to secure housing, access benefits, and navigate the system - demystifying the process for attendees and the people they serve. In 2024, approximately 770,000 people experienced homelessness on a single night in the U.S., a figure that includes 23 out of every 10,000 individuals nationwide. Though numbers declined among Veterans due to specific targeted funding, the overall homeless population rose by 18% from 2023, underscoring the urgency of this issue. Nearly 150,000 children under 18 experienced homelessness, a 33% increase from the prior year. Seniors are also heavily impacted, with over 41,000 people over the age of 62 experiencing homelessness. 36% of the overall homeless population were unsheltered, living in places not meant for human habitation. While California has a disproportionately high number of unsheltered individuals, it's important to remember that homelessness affects communities of all sizes, from major urban centers to smaller cities across the country. 83% of families in HUD housing make less than $20,000 annually, highlighting the deep economic challenges they face. You’ll learn how to apply for affordable housing with step-by-step guidance from housing professionals, including preparing applications, gathering required documentation, and avoiding common pitfalls. Section 8 representatives will explain eligibility, the application process, waitlist realities, and what happens after approval. County experts will discuss how to access EBT, health insurance coverage, and other essential services that support housing stability, including how these benefits interact with housing programs. You’ll also hear how collaboration between government agencies, nonprofits, and private landlords is opening new doors for people experiencing homelessness, with real examples of successful partnerships

This isn’t only a policy roundtable - it’s a kitchen-table conversation about what works, what to expect, and how to get results. Anyone interested in practical, actionable solutions to homelessness - frontline workers, case managers, faith groups, city and county officials, landlords, and community advocates - will benefit from this session. Whether you’re helping someone fill out a housing application or want to understand how the system really works, this webinar is for you. Let’s focus on getting people housed, one application and one partnership at a time.

Program

Who Should Attend?