Our Blog

Gain insights from our staff and partners on the latest in narrative research and grassroots communication. Hear stories from real people who have experienced homelessness and housing insecurity.

If you would like to share a story or unique insight into the housing crisis forcing so many of our neighbors into homelessness, reach out to us at info@housingnarrativelab.org.

Everyday Interactions are Part of Narrative Change

02/29/2024

Our interactions in daily life shape narrative change. Even a one-sentence response that shows our empathy for people who are struggling can interrupt and reframe people’s opinions.

2024: Coming Together to Tell New Housing Narratives

01/24/2024

What does 2024 have in store for us all? At the Housing Narrative Lab, we know the year ahead presents unprecedented challenges and unique opportunities to shape a future where every person, no matter our race, zipcode, or what country we were born in, will have what we need to live a decent life.

Statement on SCOTUS Decision to Hear Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson

01/17/2024

The Supreme Court’s concerning decision to review the case City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson could shape how cities and towns address homelessness for generations to come. At its core, this case questions whether people who have been forced to live on the streets can be punished for having nowhere else to go and...

Announcing our Inaugural Housing Narrative Award Winners

12/20/2023

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.

Human Rights Should Be a Higher Priority Than Hard Work

11/01/2023

By Zack Ward Work hard and be independent. This is the dominant narrative in our society – that we have what we need only through hard work. ‘Americans roll up their sleeves and get the job done.’ Every speech that our Presidents give depict hard work as the most important tenet of our society. Politicians...

Back on the Road with the Lab: Fall 2023 Edition

10/23/2023

We always say narrative change requires us to reach Everyone. Everywhere. All the Time. That has meant HNL staff have been traveling everywhere this Fall, teaching and training about all things narrative change, from the basics to the details. We kicked off the travel season in September, when Sarah presented “The Essentials of Narrative Change”...

Essentials for Transformative Narratives: Emphasize Root Causes of Homelessness

08/25/2023

Narrative plays an important role in building the public will to solve homelessness. Dominant narratives about people experiencing homelessness focus on individuals making bad personal decisions, which often lead to ineffective and dehumanizing “solutions” – like throwing out people’s tents, IDs, medications and what they need to survive. That’s why we’re working to build a...

Reflections on Empathy and Accuracy from the Media Impact Forum

06/22/2023

By Sarah Armour-Jones, Deputy Director San Francisco is the epicenter of a national debate about homelessness so it was a fitting place for Executive Director Marisol Bello to share her expertise and perspectives at the Media Impact Forum, hosted by Media Impact Funders earlier this month. The power of storytelling was a big theme throughout...

Check Out our 2022-23 Impact Report

06/05/2023

At Housing Narrative Lab, we know we cannot move policies until we move people. The Lab was created to build public support for proven solutions that can solve homelessness. Changing public opinion requires creativity, consistency and deep collaboration with others in the sector. After all, we are working to undo decades of narratives that blame...

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