Ending Homelessness: What is to Be Done

A Podcast Featuring Discussions with Academics, Activists, and Advocates. It is hard to imagine today but there was a time in the not too distant past without so many people living in camps, on the streets, or in shelters. How did today's conditions of homelessness being largely accepted as "just the way things" are come to be? Why is it that despite the well-meaning helping efforts and hundreds of millions of dollars spent over the last four decades homelessness remains widespread? How has homelessness become as American as Apple Pie, Football, and Mass Shootings? And, of course, it is not just the US as homelessness has become a normal part of the social landscape of nations across the globe. Can we imagine and enact different policies and practices that might prevent and end homelessness? Vin Lyon-Callo has been asking these questions in his research, teaching, and activism for the last four decades. Through conversations and dialogue with activists, advocates

Ending Homelessness: What is to Be Done is a society podcast hosted by Vin Lyon-Callo, with 25 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Vin Lyon-Callo hosts Ending Homelessness: What is to Be Done, a society show with 25 episodes published.

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  Episode #25

  Prevention, Shelter, and Housing with Dignity in Grand Rapids, MI

  Aug 16, 202633 minS1

  This episode is part one of a two part series focusing on housing and homelessness n Grand Rapids, MI. The conversation with Chris Palusky, CEO of Mel Trotter Ministries, highlights the organization's innovative programs and community partnerships. The tiny home village they are currently constructing (with people in the workforce development programs working on the homes) to produce very nice small homes for people in Hope Village starts off the discussion, but then community, preventing homelessness, providing shelter with dignity and respect and safety in mind, and focusing on doing more than shelter is emphasized. From the introduction to the conclusion, the focus is on dignity in shelter and the importance of community involvement in prevention and support services. The chapters cover a range of topics, including Hope Village, workforce development, transitional housing, and the organization's efforts in diversion and prevention. #Grand Rapids #housing #homeless prevention #housingfirst #

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  Episode #24

  Why is criminalization of homelessness so common again?

  Aug 10, 202655 minS1

  David Peery from the Florida Coalition to Advance Racial Equity again joins the discussions along with Rob Robinson and Vin Lyon-Callo. The focus is a consideration of why so many commmunities in 2025 and 2026 have chosen to implement costly measures to punish and criminalize public homelessness. Much of the focus of the conversation centers on Miami, Florida which just in July of 2026 passed criminalization policies. The conversation delves into the increasing punishment and criminalization of unhoused people, the need for housing rather than just more shelters, and the racial and profit-driven aspects of homelessness policies. It also explores the situation in Miami to provide low-barrier shelter options. The conversation concludes with a discussion on poverty, job creation, and the role of billionaires in addressing homelessness. The conversation delves into the interconnected themes of poverty, homelessness, systemic inequality, and the need for societal change. It highlights the impact of race, class, and the profit motive on policy decisions and public perceptions. The discussion emphasizes the importance of education, community support, and the need to challenge dominant narratives. Takeaways Criminalization of homelessness has racial and profit-driven implications. The provision of low-barrier shelter options can be a game-changer in addressing homelessness. Systemic inequality and poverty are at the forefront of issues related to homelessness and social justice. The interconnectedness of race, class, and the profit motive influences policy decisions and public perceptions.

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  Episode #22

  Boise, Idaho: Homelessness and Housing in a Boom Town

  Jul 20, 202650 minS1

  Vanessa Fry from Boise State University joins the podcast this week to discuss the economic growth and population increase in Boise, Idaho, leading to housing affordability challenges and opportunities. Vin and Vanessa explore the impact of rising housing costs without similar increases in wages but also the possibilities fr stable housing's role in fostering democratic participation. Additionally, the discuss innovative housing solutions and possible approaches to addressing NIMBY concerns in housing projects. The conversation delves into the topics of eviction prevention, housing insecurities, and community-based housing solutions. It explores the efforts and strategies employed to address homelessness and prevent evictions, highlighting the importance of community-based support and housing first models. The discussion emphasizes the need for innovative and intentional approaches to housing challenges, with a focus on creating supportive and secure housing options for vulnerable populations and for fostering community and social connections so we can live well together. Takeaways Boise's rapid population growth and economic success have led to increased housing costs and unaffordability. Stable housing is integral to a decent democratic society, fostering civic participation and social connections. Eviction prevention and preventing homelessness is both good policy and fiscally responsible Community-based housing solutions and community connections are key.

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  Episode #21

  Wages, Work, and Housing Insecurity: Discussion with Rob Robinson

  Jul 13, 202645 min

  The conversation explores the impact of rising housing costs, the challenges of work, wages, and income, the decline of manufacturing jobs, the role of union jobs in achieving self-sufficiency, and the narrative of laziness among homeless individuals. It also explores the struggles of working individuals, the illusion of homeownership and wealth, the working homeless, and the lack of quality data for those living doubled up or in their autos or in motels. We discuss the low pay in 10 of the 12 most popular jobs in the US in 2026 and how every state has a shortage of affordable housing. Moving beyond a focus just on people who are homeless to begin to think and act as though the vast majority of us in the US are workers who are economically vulnerable and insecure. The discussion also emphasizes the importance of moving beyond individualized thinking and action towards thinking of we and how we collectively can live well together as well as the ideological and cultural challenges to doing so.

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  Episode #19

  Volunteers, Charity, Race, Class, and Homelessness in St. Louis:

  Jun 29, 202657 minS1

  How is it that despite years of well-meaning and thoughtful efforts by volunteers working on homelessness, housing insecurity and homelessness seems to not be improving much in many communities. Matthew Schneider joins the podcast to discuss this and much more in a conversation centered around his 2026 book "Serving the Street: Volunteering as Charity, Racial Justice, and Poverty Tourism". Set in St. Louis, Missouri and based upon ethnographic research with teams of volunteers, the book helps us to both appreciate and critically appraise these efforts. The point is made in the discussion that to understand social conditions such as housing insecurity, poverty, and homelessness in St. Louis (as with many other communities) it is essential to consider the impacts of race and racism as well as the impacts of decades of neoliberal restructurings and the loss of economically stable employment in the metro region.

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