Documentary Spotlights the Hardships of Housing Insecurity

Housing Assistance and Sustainable Practices will co-sponsor a showing of the documentary “A Rising Tide” at 9:30 a.m. on June 7 at the Chatham Orpheum Theater. Seen primarily through the eyes of women and children living through housing insecurity in California’s Alameda County, “A Rising Tide” aims to identify how and why homelessness occurs.

“Housing insecurity is a growing issue and one that needs to be addressed with empathy and compassion,” said Madhavi Venkatesan, executive director of Sustainable Practices. “The latter are needed for social trust, which is essential to an economy that promotes well-being. Afterall, in our treatment of others we normalize how we can be expected to be treated. No one knows what tomorrow will bring.”

The film juxtaposes the perspectives of various stakeholders affected by the "affordable-housing industrial complex," capturing the adversity faced by homeless families and exploring the plight of service providers and social workers on the frontlines of the housing crisis. “A Rising Tide” aims to shift the narrative, challenging a commonly held misconception – including by some professionals working on affordable housing solutions – that unhoused individuals are all suffering from substance use disorders or mental health issues. It also asks what considerations should be addressed to serve the unhoused when cities and counties are planning new housing.

“We’re pleased to partner with Sustainable Practices for this installment of their film series, which takes a closer look at the human side of homelessness,” said Housing Assistance CEO Alisa Magnotta. “This event presents an opportunity to understand the root causes of the issue and discuss solutions that fit our region’s unique needs.”

Following the film, a Housing Assistance staff member will talk about the challenges faced by those who experience homelessness on Cape Cod.

Tickets can be purchased at chathamorpheum.org or at the theater’s box office.

About Sustainable Practices
Comprised of volunteers, Sustainable Practices is a Cape-based non-profit with the mission to inform Cape Cod communities on global issues regarding the human impact on the environment. For more information on the organization, see sustainablepracticesltd.org.

About Housing Assistance Corporation (HAC)
Housing Assistance has provided a spectrum of services to help our homeless and vulnerable neighbors secure a safe, stable place to call home since 1974. These programs and services include homeless outreach, family shelters, rental vouchers, affordable housing development, energy efficiency programs, and first-time homebuyer support. Housing Assistance also works to address the root causes of housing instability – lack of inventory and lack of affordability – that affect almost all income levels in our region. To learn more, visit www.haconcapecod.org.