Announcing our inaugural Housing Narrative Award Winners

12/20/2023

Updated from an earlier version of this post published November 29, 2023

The Housing Narrative Lab was created to increase public understanding about the root causes of homelessness and unstable housing – sky-high rents, low-wage jobs, unexpected health crises – and build public support for proven solutions. By focusing on what we all gain when everyone has a safe place to call home, elevating the stories of people who have lived through homelessness and highlighting what works, we can turn the tide of public sentiment and increase demand for lasting solutions.

We know that changing public opinion requires creativity, consistency and reach. We have to connect with Everyone. Everywhere. All the Time.

To celebrate great stories that are helping to shift the narrative about homelessness and unstable housing, we’re excited to launch our inaugural Housing Narrative Awards. We’re recognizing stories that change perspectives about homelessness and unstable housing and honor the lived experiences of people facing housing insecurity.

Earlier this month, fifty films/videos, op-eds, published media stories and podcast episodes were nominated through our social media channels and website. Three finalists were selected in each category by our staff, and voting was open to all. A complete list of all nominations is available here.

More than 150 votes were cast across Instagram, Twitter and our website to choose the best housing and homelessness stories of 2023 in each of our four categories.

2023 HOUSING NARRATIVE AWARD WINNERS:

Film/Video:
How to Talk to Kids about Homelessness (Invisible People)

Op-Ed:
I’ve been unhoused in San Diego. My experience showed why police can’t solve homelessness.
By Phyllis Blanck
The San Diego Union Tribune

Published Media Story:
What’s Homelessness Really Like?
Interviews by Susan Shain and Aidan Gardiner, Illustrations by Lauren Tamaki
The New York Times

Podcast Episode:
Reputation
Episode: Through the Looking Glass
Hosted by Ethan Ward, HEATDRAWN Media
Guest: Saba Mwine

Thank you to everyone who participated by nominating and voting for the best films/videos, op-eds, published media stories and podcast episodes. 

Congratulations to the storytellers who are helping to build widespread support for solving homelessness!