Finally, Some Good News: California spent $15M to make homeless shelters pet-friendly. It got people off the streets

Finally, Some Good News: California spent $15M to make homeless shelters pet-friendly. It got people off the streets

Why this story matters: We live in a time that often emphasizes our differences, but stories of community and collaboration remind us of our shared goals. This heartwarming update focuses on what happens when people set aside labels to work toward a common good. Quick summary: This story highlights recent developments related to petfriendly, showing how constructive action can lead to meaningful results. When homeless shelters allow people to stay with their dogs and other pets, more unhoused people become more willing to stay in a shelter. That’s what my team at the University of Southern California’s Homelessness Policy Research Institute learned when we evaluated California’s Pet Assistance and Support Program. California’s Department of Housing and Community Development established this pilot program in 2019. Its goals were straightforward: to make homeless shelters more accommodating to people with pets — mostly dogs — so that people living on the streets don’t have to choose between…