The city of Birmingham recently announced that it will host its 2026 State of Homelessness Summit on Friday, November 6, in commemoration of National Homelessness Awareness Month. The summit will bring together community leaders, service providers, faith leaders, nonprofits, businesses, residents and those who have experienced homelessness to address the issue under the theme “Beyond Awareness to Action.”
In a statement announcing the event, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said the city is focused on turning conversation and collaboration among community partners into meaningful action for residents experiencing homelessness and housing instability.
“We have to move beyond talking about homelessness to doing the work—investing in housing, strengthening our partnerships, supporting the people on the front lines and creating pathways to stability,” Woodfin said. “This summit is about bringing our community together around solutions and making sure every person has a chance to find their way home.”
The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Boutwell Auditorium and will feature remarks from Woodfin and other community partners, a showcase of local artists who have experienced homelessness and housing instability, and a professional learning experience for service providers.
Additionally, Friday’s summit will be followed by a community service project on Saturday, November 7, at 7:30 a.m. in downtown Birmingham’s Switch District, where local businesses, residents and neighborhood leaders will participate in a community cleanup and mural installation.
“Redefining community means recognizing that everyone has something to contribute,” Alanah Melton, director of Unhoused Strategies for the city of Birmingham, said. “This summit creates an opportunity to listen, learn from lived experience, and build stronger partnerships that move people from housing instability toward housing stability.”
Individuals interested in learning more about Birmingham’s Unhoused Strategies are encouraged to visit www.birminghamal.gov/homelessness.
