White Papers
Urban Alchemy is built on the foundation of love and respect, but data, science and tested best practices are our cornerstones.
Read Urban Alchemy’s published works on the importance of centering the expertise and skill sets of returning citizens, as well as the vital and innovative work to address homelessness and other challenges in our cities, and more.
Skid Row Clean Team FY2022 – FY2024 Impact Report
Restoring pride to neighborhoods. Urban Alchemy isn’t afraid to tackle problems others may find overwhelming.
Urban Alchemy: Birmingham
Homeless Engagement Assistance Response Team (HEART) is Urban Alchemy’s community-based public safety response program focused on those who are experiencing non-violent homelessness, addiction, and/or or mental health crises.
The stakes are high
I left prison for the last time in 2020. In all, I served 14 years for a variety of mid-level crimes, like robbery, burglary and drug possession. I was a statistic – one of the 40-60% of people who would reoffend after getting out of prison. The last time I came home, I decided I wanted to change the narrative…
It’s time for a new strategy in the war against fentanyl abuse
America’s biggest cities are facing a crisis fueled by high housing prices, fentanyl, migration and homelessness. I’ve talked to mayors and department heads in major cities across the country, who are also confounded by the intersection of addiction, poverty and mental illness playing out in public spaces.
The Stanford Study
Stanford University’s Ethnography Lab launched a study of Urban Alchemy ambassadors’ work throughout San Francisco.
They found that the presence of Urban Alchemy Practitioners reduced crime by 52% and drug crime by 80%
Their analysis also found that we weren’t just displacing crime, but truly reducing it.