Shifting the narrative on homelessness in America

David Nevins is co-publisher of The Fulcrum and co-founder and board chairman of the Bridge Alliance Education Fund.

The statistics for homelessness in America are truly shocking. The number of homeless people in America as calculated by The Department of Housing and Urban Development and in December of 2022 in their Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) Part 1 to Congress. The report found 582,462 people were experiencing homelessness on a single night in January 2022

Unfortunately it is easy to become numb to the statistics and forget about the human suffering each homeless person is experiencing.

To solve the problem we must first shift the narrative surrounding homelessness from statistics and economic impact to the individuals experiencing it. Only by highlighting the human element, we can foster empathy, understanding, and collective action to address the underlying causes and provide meaningful support.

A soon to be released film by Robert Craigs Film, No Address is doing just that. This full feature film shares the story of a group of individuals experiencing this national epidemic due to various personal circumstances. The film reminds us of the human side of those struggling.

Dr. Robert Marbut has worked on issues of homelessness for more than three decades: first as a volunteer, then as chief of staff to San Antonio Mayor Henry Cisneros, next as a White House Fellow to President H.W. Bush (41, the Father), later as a San Antonio City Councilperson/ Mayor-Pro-Term and as the Founding President); CEO of Haven for Hope for five years.

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The touching storylines are pulled from the countless hours spent by producers visiting shelters, missions, and organizations that are on the front lines of providing services and solutions. With a direct mission to bring awareness, empathy, and personal activation through this movie, Robert Craig Films is collaborating with corporate partners who share the same vision and wish to support people who need a helping hand to establish a safe and secure life.

This movie is about a group of people that are experiencing homelessness and realize they must bond together as a family if they are going to survive. They all have no address, but earlier in life they did. The day-to-day struggle on the streets is emotionally charged with uncertainty at every corner. Shelter, food and ongoing safety threatens their daily life as each one of them has arrived on the streets through unexpected circumstances. While meeting a few gracious advocates along their journey, the family finds a refreshing new hope to live and get their lives back. Homelessness can happen to anyone… even you and I.

Homelessness isn’t someone else’s issue. It impacts every community in America. Let us address this epidemic together as one.