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STATE 10 YEAR PLANS FOCUS OF ACTIVITY THIS WEEK IN OKLAHOMA AND UTAH
 OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA. October 17, 2008. A statewide 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness was unveiled this week by the Governor's Interagency Council on Homelessness at the Creating Lasting Solutions 2008 Oklahoma Statewide Conference on Homelessness held at the Metro Technology Center. The Plan calls for "a dramatic shift in the present approach of addressing homelessness from a shelter-based strategy to a permanent supportive housing-based strategy" and sets a goal of reducing " by at least 50% the count of homeless and chronically homeless in the 2014 homeless count compared with the 2008 count."
United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano was invited to give the opening keynote address during which he praised Governor Brad Henry for having revitalized the state interagency council on homelessness and tasking it with the responsibility to bring private and public partners from across the state together to fashion a plan that is "creating the change that will offer your homeless neighbors what they have been waiting for, a place to live." He also noted the importance of the "non partisan approach" that Governor Henry and Lt. Governor Jari Askins, with whom he met that day, brought to the issue of fashioning solutions to homelessness. Council Director Mangano and Lt. Governor Askins are shown here with a copy of the new state plan.
"There are still places where we are doing what we did for homeless people 25 years ago," said Director Mangano in his remarks. "Warehousing them in shelters, managing their homelessness with drive-by feeding programs, and unenforceable street ordinances. The Smith-Coronas and Encyclopedia Brittanicas of homelessness. But just as innovation in technology has brought us computers and the internet, so too there are now innovations for ending homelessness that are proven in implementation and research. Whether Rapid Rehousing and Housing First to house our neighbors. Or Assertive Community Treatment teams to engage them. Or No Wrong Door to ensure that we don't lose them. Or Project Homeless Connect to ensure a neighbor to neighbor trajectory, beyond ad hoc responses to coordinated solutions. That's the intent of your state interagency council and the State and local 10 Year Plans here in Oklahoma - to invest resources in what we now know works." Local 10 Year Plans were created by Oklahoma City in 2004, by Norman in 2005, and by Tulsa in 2007. Norman was also an early adopter of the Project Homeless Connect innovation, hosting its first event during the 2005 National Project Homeless Connect Day sponsored by the U.S Interagency Council on Homelessness.
The new state plan, whose implementation "by the various political jurisdictions working closely within and across county/city boundaries serving the homeless population" will be overseen by the Governor's Interagency Council, adopts a "permanent supportive housing based strategy" to:
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Reduce entrance into homelessness by at least 40% by 2013. Specific year by year targets are established for improving access to permanent supportive housing and reducing homelessness for those exiting hospitals, foster care, mental health facilities, and prisons.
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Put policies and guidelines in place so that as housing inventory is upgraded, there is no net loss from the 2008 "truly affordable" housing inventory and increasing the permanent affordable housing designated for the homeless by at least 50% by 2014. Truly affordable housing is developed at "Extremely Low Income Limits" (30% of Median Income) and "Very Low Income Limits" (50% of Median Income).
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Provide supportive services including the appropriate case management level. A single application form to apply for state and other benefits will be created by 2010.
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Collect and provide accurate data and measure results from all agencies receiving public funding.
Director Mangano is pictured with Governor's Interagency Council Chair Jane Ferrell, Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett, and Shelly Kuhn of the Oklahoma City Department of Community Development.
In a meeting that afternoon with Lt. Governor Askins, who has accomplished a rare trifecta in government service having been a leader in the judicial, legislative, and now executive branch of state government, Director Mangano discussed with the Lt. Governor and members of the state interagency council implementation strategies and opportunities including examples of dedicated funding streams as featured in the Council's Innovation Series - "20 in 20" and "5 in 5". Council Team Leader Michael German also participated.
 SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH. "Housing Works" with its dual emphasis on housing and employing homeless Utahns is the brand for Utah's next steps in moving forward with implementation of its 10-Year Business Plan to End Chronic Homelessness adopted in 2005. At this week's annual Homeless Summit attended by more than 300 state and local leaders, service providers, and other private sector and philanthropic leaders, state officials reported on progress toward meeting the 10 Year Plan goal of 2,124 housing units for persons experiencing chronic homelessness by 2014, unveiled results from a small scale study with Salt Lake City police providing more evidence of the cost savings in law enforcement from housing solutions, and discussed employment initiatives.
At a press conference Tuesday evening preceding the opening of the conference, Salt Lake City Police Chief Chris Burbank, City Prosecutor Singh Gill, Department of Community and Culture Executive Director Palmer DePaulis, and Gordon Walker presented data showing that EMT, arrest, bookings and jail costs for the 39 most frequently arrested individuals from 2002-2006, all of whom turned out to be male and homeless, totaled $2.6 million. This included an average of 837 arrests, 433 bookings, 3000 nights in jail, and 150 EMT responses per year. The officials reported that these costs dramatically diminished for 8 of the 39 when the 8 men were able to move into housing through the state's 10 Year Plan effort. Post-housing, they had a 65 percent average drop in bookings and 55 percent reduction in jail time. "Housing is more cost-efficient and humane than the alternative," said Salt Lake City Police Chief Burbank. "We can't arrest our way out of social problems like homelessness and drug addiction."
United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano, who was invited to keynote the opening session, was introduced by Utah Division of Housing and Community Development Director Gordon Walker who later presented Director Mangano with the "State of Utah Indomitable Spirit Award" in recognition of his and the Council's work with the state in the effort to end chronic homelessness. Director Mangano also met with Lt. Governor Gary Herbert, Palmer DePaulis, and Gordon Walker about targeting the new $3.9 billion in federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program resources to prevent and end homelessness. The Utah officials indicated that Utah would set aside specific NSP resources targeted to housing homeless Utahns.
 In his keynote remarks, Director Mangano noted that the single most important factor in implementing 10 Year Plans and getting results is the political will of the jurisdictional CEO's - Governors, Mayors, and County Executives- and he commended Utah for a level of partnership across partisan lines and across geographic boundaries that is a model for the country. Utah's state plan is being implemented locally through plans developed by 12 geographically based Local Homeless Coordinating Committees, each of which is chaired by a mayor or county commissioner. The State Homeless Coordinating Committee is chaired by Lt. Governor Gary Herbert who addressed the summit participants later that day and who Director Mangano acknowledged along with Utah Governor Jon Huntsman Jr. for their personal, professional and political commitment to ending homelessness. Governor Huntsman's work was acknowledged with A Home for Every American award earlier this year at the Council's National Summit for Jurisdictional Leaders. Director Mangano asked summit participants to join him in thanking Utah Homeless Task Force Director Lloyd Pendleton and Gordon Walker for their leadership in implementing Utah's 10 Year Plan effort along with Department of Community and Culture Executive Director Palmer DePaulis who served many years as mayor of Salt Lake City. Pictured, l-r, Gordon Walker, Director Mangano, Lt. Governor Herbert, and Lloyd Pendleton.
 Director Mangano also acknowledged the "authentic voices" of the several formerly homeless individuals at the conference who "in their lives and in their overcoming of homelessness, bear witness and give testimony that our efforts to end homelessness are possible." Pictured here is Director Mangano with AC Garcia, once homeless and now a member of the Governor's Interagency Council. Later in the conference, White House Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives Deputy Director Elizabeth Wiebe presented an award to John Hailes - who was homeless off and on for 20 years and is now living in market housing and gainfully employed after a period of receiving supportive housing assistance through the state 10 -Year Plan. "People like John are changing misconceptions about the causes of homelessness and prognosis for recovery," said Gordon Walker, Director of the Utah Division of Housing and Community Development. "He's an inspiration to all of us." Volunteers of America was also recognized by Ms. Wiebe for their work with Mr. Hailes.
Utah was the first state to receive training under the Social Security Administration's SOAR initiative which streamlines the process for homeless persons to receive benefits for which they are eligible. Utah rolled out the SOAR effort statewide in September after completing its pilot effort during which approval times were reduced from 18/24 months to 4.3 months with 82% approval on initial application. Don Ketcham of the Social Security Administration's Denver office, presented an award to the Utah Department of Workforce Services in recognition of their success.
10 YEAR PLAN EFFORTS CAN BENEFIT FROM NEW $3.9B NEIGHBORHOOD STABILIZATION PROGRAM RESOURCES
WASHINGTON, DC. October 10. The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 enacted on July 30 included $3.9 billion for emergency assistance for redevelopment of abandoned and foreclosed homes and residential properties (Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP)) to be administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the Community Development Block Grant Program. The new NSP funding is being made available to states and communities to purchase foreclosed or abandoned homes at a discount and to rehabilitate, resell, or redevelop these homes to stabilize neighborhoods and for the benefit of low and moderate income individuals and families whose income does not exceed 120% of area median income.
In a Federal Register notice
published Monday, HUD announced allocations to states and communities and application procedures which include a December 1 deadline for submission of a substantial amendment to their currently approved annual action plan. Once the NPS amendment has been approved, funds must be obligated within 18 months. The Notice also explains that “because this funding is one-time funding and the eligible activities under the program are different enough from the regular (CDBG) program, HUD believes that a grantee must receive a minimum amount of $2 million to have adequate staffing to properly administer the program effectively. In addition, fewer grants will allow HUD staff to more effectively monitor grantees to ensure proper implementation of the program and reduce the risk for fraud, waste, and abuse.” For entitlement cities and urban counties that would otherwise receive an NSP allocation of less than $2 million, the funds are allocated to the state grantee. Read More
IMPORTANCE OF STATE INTERAGENCY COUNCILS ON HOMELESSNESS AFFIRMED BY DELAWARE AND NEW JERSEY GOVERNORS
 DOVER, DELAWARE. Delaware Governor Ruth Ann Minner has signed Senate Bill 310 into law, making the Delaware Interagency Council on Homelessness (DICH) a permanent state entity. Originally created by Executive Order of Governor Minner in March 2005, the DICH was established to help solve chronic homelessness in Delaware with a goal to connect the approximately 300 people who are chronically homeless to permanent supportive housing. Senate Bill 310 garnered broad legislative and community support. Pictured here is Governor Minner signing Senate Bill 310, with Delaware State Housing Authority Director Sandy Johnson and Representative Dan Short, who co-sponsored the Bill.
In February 2007, Governor Minner received the 10 Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness by 2017 developed by the Council. The Interagency Council includes a broad representation of stakeholders, community leaders, state and federal government agencies, supportive housing developers, homeless service providers and formerly homeless individuals. Catherine DeVaney McKay, CEO of Connections CSP, Inc. is the Co-Chair of the Council. Twenty-five members will be appointed to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. Read More.
 ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY. Speaking at the opening of a two-day Governor's Conference on Housing and Development on September 24, New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine called access to housing for New Jersey's citizens a "moral and Constitutional obligation" that must be fulfilled and committed to sign a new Executive Order for a State Interagency Council on Homelessness.
United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano was invited to address the conference to provide a national perspective on the importance of 10 Year Plans and State Interagency Councils. Director Mangano praised the Governor's action saying, "Governor Corzine has stepped up to revive the State's Interagency Council and to join the partnership of Governors across the nation committed to ending the moral wrong of homelessness." (Once issued, Governor Corzine’s Executive Order will be posted on our State and Local page where you can find all the Executive Orders Governors have signed to create State Interagency Councils on Homelessness in their state.)
Director Mangano pointed to the state's "early adopter status" regarding innovations, including a statewide Project Homeless Connect. The 2008 statewide Homeless Connect included 37 sites across the state and over 1,000 volunteers who welcomed more than 5000 homeless guests. "New Jersey's innovative housing finance and program initiatives deserve a national audience," indicated Director Mangano. "By deploying revenue from traffic fines to housing solutions and innovations for people experiencing homelessness, for the aging out foster care youth population, the reentry population, and others, New Jersey is showing that housing is the central antidote to homelessness." Read More.
DATA DEMONSTRATE 52,000 FEWER AMERICANS ON OUR STREETS, IN OUR SHELTERS
Washington, DC. July 29. For the first time in the history of contemporary homelessness in the United States, the federal government has released national data reported by local communities showing a second consecutive year of decline in the number of persons experiencing chronic homelessness with an average 15% yearly decline from 2005 to 2007.
A Statement released by the White House Press Office said in part, "At the beginning of his Administration, President Bush set a goal to end chronic homelessness in America. Today, Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Preston reported that the Administration has continued to make progress on this goal . . . Since the President took office, HUD has awarded approximately $10 billion to support local housing and service programs that help more Americans move off the streets and into safe, stable homes . . . President Bush also appreciates the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness' leadership in convening 20 federal agencies to work together, using increased federal resources to reach the most vulnerable and disabled of our neighbors and end their homelessness . . . . Read the full statement.
The chronically homeless data is from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) based on reports from single Point in Time counts from 3,800 cities and counties. This year the AHAR for the first time also reports on the scope of homelessness in America over a full-year period, finding that nearly 1.6 million persons experienced homelessness and found shelter between October 1, 2006, and September 30, 2007. This estimate is based on year-long data collected from more than 284,000 persons located in 98 communities nationwide. Read More.
10 YEAR PLAN FOR FRESNO, CALIFORNIA UNVEILED BY CO-CHAIRS MAYOR ALAN AUTRY AND COUNTY BOARD CHAIR HENRY PEREA
 FRESNO, CALIFORNIA. September 2008. Under the leadership of Fresno Mayor Alan Autry and County Board Chairman Henry Perea who co-chaired the planning effort, the “Action Plan to End Chronic Homelessness in 10 Years: H.O.P.E. (Housing, Opportunity, Prevention, Establishing collaboration)" was unanimously adopted last week by the Fresno City Council and County Board of Supervisors. The 100-day planning effort was launched in April at the direction of Mayor Autry and Chairman Perea who convened community leaders to take on the challenge led by 10 Year Planning Council Chair Tom Richards.
United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano, who had met with Mayor Autry and Chairman Perea in 2007 to encourage them to commit to a 10 year planning effort for this Central Valley community, was invited to address both the City Council and the County Board convenings before their votes: "Who would have guessed at the beginning of this decade the headlines on homelessness for our most vulnerable and disabled neighbors would be: 'Resources Up, Street Homelessness Down'? And that's the promise on this historic day in Fresno as you act on the practical, down to earth, realistic Plan announced here today." Director Mangano also noted the important roles of the Mayor's Chief of Staff Georgeanne White and Rep. Jim Costa who had sought the Council's expertise and partnership in encouraging a plan in his district. Read More.
FASHIONING A "SHARED LEGISLATIVE AGENDA" IN THE LONE STAR STATE TO END HOMELESSNESS
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"Big City Mayors" discuss local 10 Year Plan efforts and announce support for proposals to increase state investment in housing, jobs, treatment, and services.
FORT WORTH. TEXAS. September 5, 2008. Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief last week hosted his fellow "Big City Mayors" from Texas cities for their quarterly meeting to discuss common issues and solutions and fashion a shared legislative agenda for their cities which represent about 4.7 million of the state's more than 20 million population. Mayor Moncrief was joined at Texas Christian University by Mayor Robert Cluck of Arlington, Mayor Tom Leppert of Dallas, Mayor Mark Burroughs of Denton, Mayor John Cook of El Paso, and Mayor Bill White of Houston. As Hurricane Gustav was making its way to the Gulf Coast, the Mayors focused on how the state could partner with local governments who are working to implement their 10 Year Plans.
The Mayors were briefed by Mayor Moncrief on the impact of current state policies on local efforts to address homelessness. Mayor Moncrief noted data from the Fort Worth/Tarrant County 10 Year Plan which indicated that, in 2007, the 10 most expensive homeless patients at the public hospital Emergency Room cost taxpayers more than $500,000. Additionally, more than $5.5 million in health care costs over the last two years are attributable to the homeless population. MedStar ambulance and the Fort Worth Fire Department responded to 3,128 calls to 911 in 2007 to four homeless shelters.
At a press conference following the meeting, the Mayors announced their support for proposals to increase state support for housing, jobs, treatment and services to help end homelessness. "Although homelessness is not an issue that is confined to the urban areas of our state, the overwhelming majority of Texas' homeless population lives in our largest cities. And so it is fitting that a gathering of Mayors of Texas' largest cities would tackle this issue head on,” said Mayor Moncrief. He also noted, "There is a new wind blowing in Texas. No one sector of society, no single level of government will end homelessness on their own . . . as Mayors, we do believe that by working together with the private sector, our community - and faith-based partners, foundations and philanthropists, the Federal government and with our partners in Austin, we can solve this problem."
The proposals outlined by Mayor Moncrief included increasing investment by $20 million each year in the Housing Trust Fund and a set aside of 33% of all Trust Fund resources for supportive housing for homeless people and other special need populations; adopting a proposed amendment to the state's tax credit allocation plan to incorporate a basis point bonus for projects that include up to 50% supportive housing units; providing state dollars for supportive services that help the most vulnerable homeless people in Texas access and retain housing; increasing by $30 million per year the Texas investment in community-based substance abuse treatment, prevention and case management services; providing 1,000 permanent supportive housing residents with employment readiness, placement and retention services per year; and issuing pre-release a Texas ID card for all persons discharged from a Texas jail or prison.
 Fort Worth and Tarrant County partners recently adopted Directions Home, their new 10 Year Plan. Under Mayor Moncrief's leadership and with the support of business partners, Fort Worth established a Study Group to "pilgrimage" to other cities to see what's working as they developed their plan. The Plan proposes to increase the supply of Permanent Supportive Housing to meet the need for over 1,000 additional tenancies, setting a goal of over 540 units in six years. The City has its own Housing Trust Fund with $570,000 earmarked for homeless housing, and the Housing Authority has committed 200 vouchers to the initiative. The Plan also proposes a new local form of Shelter + Care vouchers to accelerate the availability of housing. Fort Worth will commit to an annual Project Homeless Connect event, develop a Homeless Court, and focus on discharge planning by hiring a transition coordinator for the local jail. United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano who had visited Fort Worth several times at the Mayor's invitation and also that of business leaders, including Downtown Fort Worth's Andy Taft, to encourage and support the city-county 10 Year Plan was recently hosted by Mayor Moncrief, Tarrant County Commissioner Roy Brooks, Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley, and Fort Worth Homeless Coordinator Otis Thornton for the celebratory event (shown here).
"The effort to coordinate a larger agenda among cities in a state is another best practice now at work in several states in the country," indicated Director Mangano. "Texas now joins in that innovation and Mayor Moncrief is leading the way."
 Under the leadership of Mayor Tom Leppert, Dallas homeless czar and business leader Mike Rawlings recently presented plans to the City Council for 700 more units of permanent supportive housing over the next five years to expand the results of new permanent housing and Housing First initiatives achieved so far to implement the city’s 10 Year Plan. In making the proposal, which calls for potentially $10 million to be generated through proceeds from city housing bonds, he stressed the connection between achieving the housing goals and ensuring that other new resources - including Dallas' 24/7 center, The Bridge - can focus their services without overcrowding. Mr. Rawlings is shown here at the podium at the opening of The Bridge in June with Mayor Leppert seated in the front row to his right.
WARWICK, RHODE ISLAND AND STATE OF OREGON BECOME LATEST CITY AND STATE TO UNVEIL 10-YEAR PLANS
 SALEM, OREGON. 120 state officials, local elected officials, provider agencies, and homeless advocates, representing the twelve jurisdictionally-led, community-based 10 Year Plans in Oregon gathered at the state capitol of Salem as the Oregon Ending Homelessness Advisory Council unveiled the state's own plan - "A Home for Hope" - that has been developed in support of twelve local 10 Year Plans in Oregon. Director Mangano is pictured here addressing the Summit.
United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano was invited to keynote the Summit at the Willamette University College of Law. The Summit was sponsored by Governor Theodore Kulongoski's Ending Homelessness Advisory Board and the Oregon Department of Housing and Community Services, with assistance from the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness.
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 WARWICK, RHODE ISLAND. City Council Chambers was the site of last week's rollout of the new Warwick, Rhode Island 10 Year Plan. Mayor Scott Avedisian welcomed United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano to the press event where federal, state, and local government partners, as well as the private sector, were represented. Director Mangano is pictured here at the event in the historic City Council Chambers, speaking to community stakeholders.
Warwick is the first Rhode Island city to develop its own Plan, which is linked to the state's plan. Stated Warwick's planners: "Adopting a state-wide approach does not absolve municipalities from responsibility. Each city and town must take positive actions within the state-wide context to assure the state plan is fully implemented in their own jurisdictions." Warwick is one of a very few U.S. cities that has modeled the example of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness to create an Interagency Council for its own jurisdictionally-led, community-based 10 Year Plan. On April 26, 2004, Mayor Avedisian issued Executive Order 2004-06 establishing an Interagency Council on Homelessness in the City of Warwick.
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INNOVATION IS FOCUS OF INTERAGENCY COUNCIL DAILY SPECIAL EDITION E-NEWSLETTERS
20 in 20 …. Twenty replicable innovations achieving results in preventing or ending homelessness were the focus of daily special editions of the Council's e-newsletter throughout the month of May. Each day's "20 in 20" e-newsletter profiled a single innovation, identifying the innovation, the innovator, who is benefiting, the results, and where to get more information. Please visit the Council’s Innovations web page to read about these innovations and consider how they might be replicated in your community.
AMERICA'S ROAD HOME: COUNCIL'S THIRD ANNUAL NATIONAL SUMMIT FOR JURISDICTIONAL LEADERS
WASHINGTON, DC. April 15, 2008. More than 250 state and local jurisdictional leaders, their representatives, “community champions”, and other business and community leaders partnered in over 325 10-Year Plans and in 53 State Interagency Councils gathered in Washington DC last week at the National Press Club for the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) Third Annual National Summit for Jurisdictional Leaders.
This year’s event, America’s Road Home: Future Directions for Policy and Investment in Abolishing Homelessness - Partnering for Results in Ten Year Plans, focused on sustaining the “visible, measurable, and quantifiable” progress that has been made through Ten Year Plans and the America’s Road Home effort in reducing and preventing chronic homelessness, and broadening awareness of the policies and innovative research informed, evidence-based, and field-tested initiatives responsible for achieving these results.
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BAKERSFIELD/KERN COUNTY, CA AND FORT WORTH, TX BECOME LATEST JURISDICTIONS TO UNVEIL 10-YEAR PLANS
JUNE 2008, BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA. "A new perspective . . . a new approach . . . a new commitment," read the banner behind Bakersfield Mayor Harvey Hall as he announced the official adoption of the new Home First 10 Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness in Bakersfield and Kern County. United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano, invited to keynote the press event in Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, also joined United Way President Miriam Krehbiel for the event. United Way closely partnered with the Mayor to forward the Plan, providing an exemplary partnership of the private sector with jurisdictional leadership.
"As Mayor of Bakersfield, finding a real solution to the pressing problem of homelessness in my community has been one of my priorities since I took office," said Mayor Hall. "I remember clearly accompanying Bakersfield Police and members of the Kern County Homeless Collaborative to the Kern River. That experience made a lasting impression on me. I became more determined than ever to find solutions to this problem.
We must address this issue, because the costs of doing nothing or of continuing to maintain people endlessly in their homelessness are simply too high. This caring community of ours cannot tolerate the human costs - in terms of suffering, lost opportunities and wasted potential. We cannot turn away or simply push the homeless out of sight. Nor can we continue to bear the very real financial costs. The 10-Year Plan committee estimates - conservatively - that our community is already spending between $40,000 and $50,000 per year on each chronically homeless individual just to maintain them in homelessness . . . We are already paying a heavy price for homelessness. It is time to make smart, long-term investments to end chronic homelessness."
Mayor Hall noted that the Plan unveiling was timed to ensure Ms. Krehbiel's presence, and credited her strong leadership and commitment as essential to the Plan. Ms. Krehbiel will become President of the Topeka, Kansas United Way shortly.
Director Mangano underscored the local partnership: "Here in Bakersfield many who were working toward the same objective in individual agencies - whether in the public or private sectors - have partnered together to create a playbook, a new strategy to move beyond wishing and hoping, to move beyond conjecture and anecdote, to move beyond managing and maintenancing - to partner together to create a trajectory that will lead to getting the job done, the mission accomplished." He added: "And that begins with political leadership. Which means here in Bakersfield it begins with Mayor Hall, who years ago committed himself and extended his political will to initiate this 10 Year Plan."
The new Plan embraces Housing First as a key solution to ending chronic homelessness, proposes to create a Homeless Court, and focuses on prevention through discharge planning.
JUNE 2008, FORT WORTH, TEXAS. With a unanimous vote of the Fort Worth City Council, and the support of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Fort Worth Inc. and others in the business community, the city adopted Directions Home - a 10 Year Plan fashioned by an expansive group of stakeholders. Tarrant County Commissioners voted last week to adopt the Plan.
"We might not be able to do everything we want to do this coming year, but it is important that we don't just talk the talk. We need to walk the walk and put up at least some money," Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief said on passage of the resolution adopting the Plan. "I think everyone in this community knows that this is an issue of basic economics to make homelessness a rare occasion in our city." Mayor Moncrief noted that the plan will be less costly than paying for the homeless population's use of emergency health care, ambulance, and other first-responder services, and jail space. The Plan includes a budget analysis of more than 90 high, medium, and low cost action items, with both capital and operating costs estimated. The City will now seek the resources for priority items for 2009.
United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano, who most recently addressed business partners convened by Downtown Fort Worth, welcomed the new Plan, noting: "When I saw the 'pilgrimage' that your city and county officials embarked on along with an expansive group of your community stakeholders to discover in other cities what was working to reduce homelessness, I knew that something special would come from your Ten Year Plan. And you've delivered!" Mayor Moncrief and Director Mangano are pictured here.
"During my first visit there the Mayor told me a secret about Fort Worth," Director Mangano noted. "He said that 'in Fort Worth we go slow to go fast.' I now understand that what 'slow' means there is to be thoughtful, partnered, and thorough."
The Plan emphasizes the role of partnership in achieving new goals: "With all facets of this community working together, we have been able to revitalize downtown, recover from a tornado, welcome and house refugees from a hurricane, build a motor speedway, a baseball park and a football stadium, dredge Lake Worth, move I-30 and begin to move a river. Working together, we can do this as well."
"Of all the things that have happened in our city since I became Mayor, this is the one of which I am the proudest," said Mayor Moncrief.
Acting on Mayor Moncrief's leadership, and with the support of business partners, Fort Worth established a Study Group to "pilgrimage" to other cities to see what's working as they developed their plan. Otis Thornton, Fort Worth's homeless coordinator, was instrumental to the initiative and noted that entities including Cook Children's Health Care System, JPS Health Network and the UNT Health Science Center have already become partners to the Plan. 
The Plan proposes to increase the supply of Permanent Supportive Housing to meet the need for over 1,000 additional tenancies, setting a goal of over 540 units in six years. The City has its own Housing Trust Fund with $570,000 earmarked for homeless housing, and the Housing Authority has committed 200 vouchers to the initiative. The Plan also proposes a new local form of Shelter + Care vouchers to accelerate the availability of housing. Fort Worth will commit to an annual Project Homeless Connect event, develop a Homeless Court, and focus on discharge planning by hiring a transition coordinator for the local jail.
MOVING FORWARD 10-YEAR PLAN IMPLEMENTATION WITH BUSINESS LEADERSHIP
Events in San Antonio and in Dallas, TX, and Wilmington, NC demonstrate the important role of business leaders as partners and community champions in 10 Year Plan implementation
 SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. Government, business, and community partners gathered June 1st in San Antonio for an event sponsored by NuStar Energy's Chairman Bill Greehey, who is Chair of the Board of the city's new Haven for Hope one-stop campus and Community Champion of the 10 Year Plan. More than 600 partners gathered for the event, which United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano (pictured here) was invited to keynote.
In early 2006, Mayor Phil Hardberger established the Community Council to End Homelessness, naming Mr. Greehey as chairman of the effort and District 5 City Councilwoman Patti Radle Co-Chair. The Council was charged with developing a plan for San Antonio and - adopting Council-encouraged best practices - made "pilgrimages" and conducted additional research to identify replicable models.
Director Mangano commended Mr. Greehey for his Community Champion leadership in partnering to move the city's plan forward, noting: "Thank you for the inspiration that you have offered here locally on San Antonio's 10 Year Plan and across our nation in your efforts to create the Haven for Hope. You've created an award-winning corporate culture at NuStar, and it's obvious in this room that that culture has extended to the wider circle of all your partners."
Dozens of partner agencies will make up the Haven for Hope campus, providing vital services to help individuals move forward to stability. In addition to new shelter beds, the Haven will offer resources from medical and dental care to treatment for substance addiction to job training and education to legal support. Identification recovery services will assist those who lack ID.
"The doors of hospitality and welcome are about to open here in San Antonio for your poorest and most vulnerable neighbors," indicated Director Mangano. "In many ways the new Haven for Hope will act as a travel agency: people will come to meet trip organizers who will help make the arrangements for travel to a destination. While the process will be important, the destination will be the intent. And rather than just visiting a travel agency and sitting around without a sense of direction, the new Haven for Hope will offer its customers an itinerary and resources to move beyond where they are to where they want to be. "
DALLAS, TEXAS. The Dallas Morning News editorialized on the opening of the new Bridge 24/7 one-stop center for people who are chronically homeless, and a centerpiece of the Dallas 10 Year Plan of Mayor Tom Leppert, his predecessor Mayor Laura Miller, and former Champion Tom Dunning: "Ending homelessness in Dallas is a marathon event, not a 100-yard dash. Today's opening of The Bridge homeless center in downtown marks an innovative change in the way this city confronts the homeless problem . . ."
Dallas Community Champion and former CEO of Pizza Hut Mike Rawlings hosted the opening event at the new Bridge site, which will provide a wide range of resources intended to attract and engage the most vulnerable and disabled. Mike Faenza, president and chief executive officer of the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance, will manage the new program, using a consumer-centric approach to engage users to select from a menu of resources according to their own priorities. The Stewpot, a long- time Dallas meal program of First Presbyterian of Dallas, is also moving its operations to the center, which incorporates both sleeping space and soon-to- open transitional beds.
Last year, as Dallas marked its 3rd year of 10-Year Plan implementation, the nation's 9th largest city was able to report further significant reductions in chronic homelessness. Results of the January 2007 Point-in- Time Count, conducted by the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance in conjunction with the City of Dallas, revealed a 23% reduction in chronic homelessness in the prior year, and a 9% reduction in homelessness overall. This brought the reported decrease in chronic homelessness over two years to 43%.
United States Interagency Council Executive Director Philip Mangano has credited the community’s success to the commitment of both mayors and the business acumen of their community champions. In 2007 Mr. Rawlings was recognized with the 2007 Community Champion Home for Every American Award at USICH's The Pursuit of Solutions: Second Annual National Summit on Innovation for Jurisdictional Leaders. Dallas and its county partners are one of many cities that have engaged the results of cost benefit analysis in making investment and resources decisions. A study last year showed that nearly 10% of the Dallas County Jail population was characterized by both homeless and frequent use of the jail, prompting the county to invest in the new center, along with the city.
 WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA. "We must have the courage to change policies, practices, and systems; to redirect resources; develop new and innovative housing and service models; collaborate better with each other; and monitor progress through accountability as we never have before." So states "The Street is No Place to Live," the new 10 Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness and Reduce Homelessness in the Cape Fear Region commissioned by the City of Wilmington and New Hanover County, endorsed by Pender County, and released recently at the United Way of the Cape Fear Area in Wilmington. Plan implementation will be overseen by an Executive Board chaired by U.S. Trust-Bank of America executive Thomas Dodson.
The Plan was presented by Dr. Spiro Macris, who co-chaired the plan with the late Windell Daniels. Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo and New Hanover County Commissioners Chairman Bobby Greer, were among the speakers who also included leaders from the provider community and a formerly homeless consumer who will serve on the implementing Steering Committee. Dan Ferrell, the project manager for the Plan's implementation, was introduced by United Way President Pamela Wyatt.
Making visible the partnership and political will for the Plan, each section of the Plan includes a photo of a community leader or official, with an accompanying statement about the impact of the plan:
" . . . The consequences of homelessness are manifested on a daily basis in the New Hanover County Detention Facility. The options are so limited for the homeless that they often seek shelter, medical care, food and clothing at a facility that is not designed for this purpose. Without a plan to end homelessness we will only perpetuate a cycle of despair. It is imperative that solutions be found and implemented in order to break the cycle," -- Sidney A. Causey, Sheriff, New Hanover County.
“. . . In a community known for its quality of life such as ours, we can no longer ignore this problem. We must all take ownership of ending homelessness to ensure that all our citizens have access to safe, affordable and permanent housing. The Ten Year Plan provides a starting point, a framework to enable all elements of the local and regional community to come together to collaborate o this issue and make it a reality.” -- Wilmington Cape Fear Home Builders Association Executive Director Donna Girardot.
The Plan took a look at costs incurred by managing of homelessness in the region. For instance, the New Hanover Health Network, a regional health care system, treated 1,233 homeless patients, during 2006 resulting in a cost of $523,892. The New Hanover County Sheriff's Office reports approximately 400 homeless inmates per year, and the Wilmington Police Department reported contacting ten people daily.
Key plan goals include prevention with attention to discharge planning and crisis intervention resources, and creating a Housing First focus and permanent supportive or permanent housing for 200 chronically homeless individuals, 400 homeless individuals, and 70 homeless families. Timelines were set for each strategic element of the goals, and costs assigned according to a range from High Cost ($100,000 +) to Low Cost (under $50,000).
To read the plan or learn more about the Plan’s development, visit www.capefearhomeless.org.
INAUGURAL PROJECT HOMELESS CONNECT IN OHIO CONVENED BY AKRON/SUMMIT COUNTY/BARBETON
 MAY 2008. AKRON, OHIO. The first Project Homeless Connect event in the state of Ohio convened in Akron and Summit County, with 500 homeless neighbors being welcomed by over 150 community volunteers for the event which also makes Akron/Summit County and the city of Barberton the 170th Project Homeless Connect community in the nation.
Each jurisdiction also invested to make the event a success, with Akron donating $5,000; Summit County, $2,000; and Barberton, $500, to help to cover expenses. Akron kept two trolleys in motion picking up guests and bringing them to the event site. ''It's very important for us to collaborate and be a leader in providing services on this important day,'' Akron Deputy Mayor Dave Lieberth said.
''We've tried to make this day a day of hospitality,'' said Sue Pierson, vice president of programs for InfoLine, Summit County's clearinghouse for social services. The event used volunteer escorts to ensure that guests circulated to all resources they were interested in.
Meals were provided by the Summit County United Way for guests and Akron General Medical Center, Summa Health Systems, and Akron Children's Hospital provided medical services, including mammogram screenings, HIV/AIDS testing, and prostate cancer testing. Guests were also screened for depression and could have cholesterol checked. Vouchers for eyeglasses were available. Also on site was legal assistance, job placement services, housing placement, counseling, clothing, meals, and haircuts. Participating agencies included the Summit County Board of Elections, Akron and Summit County health departments, the Social Security Administration, Summit County Job and Family Services, the Job Center, Veterans' Services, Community Health Services, Oriana House, Tri-County Independent Living and Community Services for the Deaf.
The Akron event is the most recent of the Project Homeless Connect events, which, with encouragement and technical assistance from the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, has now been adopted by more than 170 cities across the nation.
San Francisco pioneered Project Homeless Connect in 2004 as an innovative one-day, one-stop engagement strategy under Mayor Gavin Newsom. Under the leadership of then Mayor's Deputy Chief of Staff Alex Tourk, Project Homeless Connect was developed into a partnership that mobilizes civic will to end homelessness. San Francisco's Project Homeless Connect now operates as a component of a new non-profit organization called San Francisco Connect, which engages volunteers through Project Green Connect, Project Youth and Families Connect, and Project Tech Connect.
Project Homeless Connect has another goal besides immediate access to quality of life resources and on- site housing and employment opportunities to end homelessness: Project Homeless Connect is intended to change how business is done in local communities when it comes to expediting outcomes, lowering barriers, removing obstacles, and increasing results.
Consistent with the Council's commitment to the rapid dissemination of what's working, Project Homeless Connect events have brought to light new solutions to old challenges shared across the country. Project Homeless Connect's "under one roof" offerings for consumers and the "mobile hospitality" of volunteers who act as escorts, shepherds, and conductors for their homeless neighbors help lower their barriers and achieve results. Public and private sector resource providers work side-by- side in a new configuration, with a focus on problem - solving and results.
‘RESOURCES UP - STREET HOMELESSNESS DOWN’ AS FULL COUNCIL MEETS IN WASHINGTON, ELECTING VA SECRETARY PEAKE AS NEW CHAIR
NEW RESULTS IN ENDING CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS AND HOMELESSNESS AMONG VETERANS ARE REPORTED
INVENTORY OF FEDERAL RESOURCES AND RESEARCH FOR FAMILIES PRESENTED
WASHINGTON, DC - March 10, 2008. United States Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary James Peake was elected Chair of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness at its 11th Full Council meeting of this Administration last week in Washington. Secretary Peake accepted the gavel from United States Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt, the Council Chair since March 2007.
 New Chair commits to continue results-oriented strategies. Secretary Peake committed himself to continue the Council’s commitment to leadership on the issue and a focus on “goals and measured results,” noting that the Council had “done much and had much to be proud of.” The Secretary further observed that he will use the year ahead to set goals and measure results during a time which he believes offers the best opportunity to end chronic homelessness through the collective efforts and talents of the Council’s member agencies. Secretary Peake reported that the VA has documented another decrease in homelessness among veterans, reporting a 20% decline. Pictured here as the gavel was passed, l-r, Secretary Peake, HHS Secretary Leavitt, and Council Executive Director Philip Mangano.
Secretary Leavitt reports on Council initiatives. In comments before passing the gavel to Secretary Peake, Secretary Leavitt noted the “moral duty to help” those experiencing homelessness and identified progress during the last year in key areas of the Council’s work which he identified when he took the Chair in 2007, including an increased focus on families and youth, as well as veterans.
 The Secretary released a new Council inventory of federal programs with capacity to serve families, an initiative undertaken in conjunction with new research on families emerging from inside and outside of government. The USICH Inventory of Federal Programs that May Assist Homeless Families With Children shows key information on 73 programs across eleven federal agencies, including budget, eligible activities and recipients, and impediments to participation by homeless families. The inventory consists of both targeted homeless programs, which are designed specifically to serve persons experiencing homelessness, as well as mainstream programs, whose mission may be to serve a far broader population, but for which persons experiencing homelessness may be eligible by virtue of the program's eligibility criteria. All programs included have the capacity to benefit families. The Council will use the inventory to advance next steps in this increased focus on the family population.
Secretary Leavitt also presented a new research paper on family homelessness by Dr. Debra Rog of Westat. The research recommendations described in this report, Characteristics and Dynamics of Homeless Families with Children, find that the two top goals for a typology of families should focus on prevention and resource allocation – how to match the resources that exist with the needs of the families who are homeless. The report lays the foundation for future data collection efforts affecting policy and programmatic decisions for this particular population, as well as what additional steps might be needed in developing each typology.
On behalf of all the federal partners, the first of several evaluation reports was released on the unprecedented $55 million collaborative initiative on chronic homelessness of the Council, HUD, HHS, and VA, first announced at the Council’s inaugural meeting in 2002 under the chairmanship of then HUD Secretary Mel Martinez. Other HHS resources released during Secretary Leavitt’s tenure as Council Chair include the 2007 HHS Departmental 5-Year Strategic Plan on Homelessness; an HHS website on homelessness; and a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services report, A Primer on How to Use Medicaid to Assist Persons Who are Homeless to Access Medical, Behavioral Health, and Support Services.
Under Secretary Leavitt's chairmanship and through the work of Secretary's Counselor Philo Hall and Deputy Assistant Secretary Melissa Pardue, the Council's regional Federal Interagency Councils, each chaired by the federal counterpart of the Chair of the Full Council, were reinvigorated with important results. Meeting regularly to focus on the priorities of the Chair, regional councils have begun development of federal resource inventories, as well as encouraging and supporting Project Homeless Connect as federal partners.
 HUD Deputy Secretary Bernardi reports on investments and results. United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Deputy Secretary Roy Bernardi (pictured here) reported to Council members on HUD's recent announcement of a documented 12% national decline in chronic homelessness from 2005 to 2006, and its expected release of 2007 data. Deputy Secretary Bernardi also spoke of HUD's partnership with other federal agencies, as well as state and local government and community organizations.
In December, HUD awarded $330 million for housing and services for persons who are chronically homeless, over $500 million to serve homeless families with children, and expects to award a record sum for FY 2008, including a new $25 million family rapid rehousing demonstration initiative focused on families in shelter. HUD reports that over half of all the persons assisted by HUD homeless programs are in families. To learn more about effective interventions for families, HUD will support a national evaluation on this topic.
For homeless veterans, HUD anticipates issuing about 10,000 Section 8 vouchers under the upcoming HUD-VASH program funded for FY 2008, and the Administration has requested an additional $75 million for FY 2009 to provide an equal number of new subsidies,
bringing potential assistance over 2008-2009 to 20,000 vouchers. These resources are in addition to over $31 million in targeted veterans supportive housing initiatives HUD awarded in December.
 Department of Labor sees employment results for chronic population. DOL Assistant Secretary Charles Ciccolella (pictured here) reported to the Council on the employment results of the Homeless Veterans Reintegration program which has reached 17,000 veterans, of whom 10,000 have become employed. DOL's joint multi-year initiative with HUD, combining housing and employment for more than 400 persons in the chronically homeless population, achieved a 54% rate of earned income for participants. Further, DOL's joint initiative with VA to reach incarcerated veterans achieved a 54% rate of employment and just 18% recidivism. The Assistant Secretary noted that the Job Corps-foster care recruitment initiative encouraged by the Council had grown from an initial 240 entrants in 2001 to about 2,000 homeless, runaway, and foster care youth in 2006.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency of the Department of Homeland Security reported on its recent award of $153 million under the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, now marking its 25th anniversary. Dr. John Kim Cook of the DHS Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives is pictured here. The Social Security Administration, whose 3- year Homeless Outreach Projects and Evaluation (HOPE) initiative operates at 41 sites, reported that more than 9,000 individuals had been enrolled under the initiative with almost 3,000 receiving determinations providing access to Medicaid and other resources. Deputy Associate Commissioner for Policy David Rust reported on the initiative.
 Norfolk Mayor Fraim reports on jurisdictional partnership and results. Following the tradition of special guest presentations from jurisdictional leaders achieving results in ending chronic homelessness, Council Executive Director Philip Mangano introduced Norfolk, Virginia Mayor Paul Fraim and Norfolk Office to End Homelessness Director Katie Kitchin. Mayor Fraim noted that his city's Blueprint to End Chronic Homelessness, now in its second year of implementation, focuses on regional solutions and includes the innovations of rapid re- housing, Housing First, and Project Homeless Connect, and permanent housing for ex- offenders. The Blueprint serves as the basis for funding eligibility for the city's programs, with an expectation that the goals of the blueprint will be a focus of all applicants for city resources. Pictured here, l-r, Katie Kitchin, Mayor Fraim addressing Council members, Department of Defense Assistant Secretary Craig Duehring, and Department of Labor Assistant Secretary Ciccolella.
Norfolk, and now its neighbors in Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, and Portsmouth, have leveraged new investments and partnerships with public and private sector leaders in achieving results of a 25% reduction in overall homelessness and a 40% reduction in street homelessness, as well as projecting to double local permanent supportive housing capacity this year. Read More about Norfolk’s initiatives and results.
 Executive Director's Report focuses on the new “3 R’s.”In his report, Director Mangano thanked Secretary Leavitt "for creating the momentum to sustain the continuing commitment of the important and valued contributions of HHS to our common efforts on behalf of our poorest neighbors." Director Mangano welcomed Secretary Peake to the Chair, noting, "I had the opportunity to sit with the Secretary and learn of his vision on behalf of all veterans and, especially homeless veterans and those at risk of homelessness." The Director noted in his report at the Council's sixth year of activity forwarding the Administration's goal to end chronic homelessness that, " If we were running a campaign, and it is that season, our bumper sticker would be simple: Resources Up - Street Homeless Down. That's the legacy we are creating through our common efforts focused on research, resources, and results." Director Mangano (right) is pictured here with Secretary Peake.
PRESIDENT'S FY 09 BUDGET PROPOSES RECORD LEVEL OF MORE THAN $5 BILLION IN TARGETED RESOURCES TO PREVENT AND END HOMELESSNESS
WASHINGTON, DC - February 5. With the release of the President's FY 2009 Budget this week, a record $5.04 billion in targeted federal resources to prevent and end homelessness has been proposed.
"While the budget proposal represents increases, level funding, and some decreases, the total amount of resources to be invested is once again increased in following data, research, and policy to move beyond managing the crisis to ending the disgrace," indicated United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano. "Not too many years ago, we were hopeful that resources might exceed $2.5 billion. With the President's 2009 request, we have now more than doubled the proposed resources targeted to homeless people within this decade."
This story provides highlights from the budgets of individual federal agencies with regard to targeted resources.
Read More
PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN UNITED STATES INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON HOMELESSNESS AND THE NATION’S MAYORS AND COUNTY EXECUTIVES CONTINUES TO GROW.
MARCH 2008. A half decade ago, on January 23, 2003, United States Interagency Council Executive Director Philip Mangano addressed the plenary session of the United States Conference of Mayors meeting in Washington, DC, where he challenged 100 Mayors to join the National Partnership being constellated by the Council by committing to the creation of jurisdictional 10-Year Plans to End Chronic Homelessness. Fewer than 5 cities had such jurisdictionally-led plans at the time. This January when the Mayors again convened in the Nation's Capital, Director Mangano was able to report that over 325 Mayors and County officials have committed to 10-Year Plans across the nation. "Keeping a good grip on the moral and spiritual imperative, we have seen the research that quantifies the economic impact and consequences of homelessness and is driving an unprecedented political will to move beyond managing the crisis to ending the disgrace," said Director Mangano
During a meeting of the Mayors' Task Force on Hunger and Homelessness, Director Mangano briefed Mayors on America’s Road Home. Developed in a Council co-sponsored Mayors' Summit last November in Denver, the America's Road Home Statement of Principles and Actions commits Mayors and jurisdictional leaders to work together in a housing-focused strategy that gives special attention to the needs of veterans and involves partnership with business, philanthropy, and community and faith-based organizations. Pictured here is Director Mangano briefing mayors at the 2008 USCM Task Force on Hunger and Homelessness Meeting in Washington.
 This month, more than forty National Association of Counties members, led by President Eric Coleman, County Commissioner of Oakland County, Michigan, became signatories to America's Road Home Statement of Principles and Actions during NACo Legislative Conference in Washington, DC. Signatories now number more than 200. Addressing members of NACo’s Committee on Community and Economic Development and the Health Steering Committee, United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano thanked County officials for their ongoing support and partnership with federal initiatives, noting that NACo first passed a resolution in support of 10-Year Plans at its 2003 meeting after the Council's revitalization. "Research tells us that we can reduce and end homelessness through innovations and data, resources have increased to make the investment, and results demonstrate that the research and investment are getting the job done," said Director Mangano. Pictured here is the meeting of the Community and Economic Development Committee chaired by Prince Georges County, MD Councilman David Harrington.
Read More about America’s Road Home
http://www.ich.gov/newsletter/2008-3-18_Charter_Version_ARH_Signatories.pdf
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCES AWARD OF RECORD $1.5 BILLION IN HOMELESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced the award of $1.5 billion in Homeless Assistance Grant funding to an unprecedented number of local programs - nearly 6000 - to provide housing, shelter, and supportive services to more than 168,000 individuals and families. "These grants will reach into every corner of the nation, helping individuals and families to move beyond the cycle of homelessness," said HUD Deputy Secretary Roy A. Bernardi. "We know this record funding will literally save lives and we at the federal level are proud to play our part in helping our partners at the local level who are on the front lines of helping those in need."
Among the award highlights:
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1,217 of the project awards target individuals experiencing chronic homelessness. Total funding to these projects is more than $330 million, a commitment that directly supports the national goal of ending chronic homelessness.
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More than $727 million is being awarded to projects that provide permanent housing solutions for homeless persons.
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3,068 local projects that serve families with children will receive $729 million.
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607 programs that primarily serve victims of domestic violence will receive nearly $97 million.
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$32 million is being awarded to 149 projects that primarily target homeless veterans
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1,768 of the projects are dedicated to providing housing and support services to severely mentally ill clients, totaling $453 million. These persons are at high risk of experiencing long-term or chronic homelessness.
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$351 million will support 1,487 local programs that primarily help homeless individuals with substance abuse problems.
"Today's $1.5 billion announcement continues the increasing commitment by this Administration and the Congress to end the human tragedy of homelessness for those who are the most vulnerable and disabled and veterans who have served our country," said United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano. "Additionally, these resources are focused to relieve and remedy the long misery of homeless families in their movement beyond shelter to housing. I commend HUD staff for their diligent, expedited efforts to move these resources into communities in a year of a record numbers of initiatives securing support."
The $1.5 billion is part of the sixth consecutive year of record resources made available from Washington. Another unprecedented seventh consecutive year of increased investment was proposed by the President in his 2008 budget. "Increased resources focused on housing have correlated with decreased numbers on the streets of our communities," Director Mangano indicated. "The announcement last month of a documented decrease of 20,000 people on our streets represents more than 100,000 cumulative years of homelessness coming to an end. That investment has demonstrated results and offered new hope to our homeless neighbors. Today's announcement from HUD is intended to increase that hope and again decrease the numbers."
Since 2001, HUD has awarded approximately $10 billion in funding to local communities to support the housing and supportive service needs of homeless individuals and families. The President's FY 2008 Budget seeking $1.6 billion represents a 55 percent increase over funding provided in 2001. To view the list of projects awarded funding in today's announcement, click here.
OUR HOMELESS NEIGHBORS REMEMBERED - A Commentary
Today marks National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day commemorating the lives of our homeless neighbors across the nation who have died.
Some in programs and shelters and others on the streets of our country. Some served valiantly preserving freedom. Sons and daughters, nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles.
All in the course of their lives were part of families, neighborhoods, schools, communities. All were neighbors.
Through the missteps of personal decisions or misguided public policies, these neighbors found themselves homeless.
None planned to become homeless. When they were asked in seventh grade what they wanted to be, they responded policeman, firefighter, doctor, lawyer, President, basketball player, singer. None said they aspired to homelessness.
We have partnered together across this country to ameliorate the long misery of homelessness and bring this national disgrace to an end. In Washington we have prioritized those who are the most disabled and vulnerable, most at risk of dying on our streets. The initiative to end chronic homelessness has been embraced by every level of government and many on the frontlines of response.
Today's announcement of $1.5 billion targeted to homeless people across our country is meant to be invested in ending homelessness, in reducing deaths on our streets. Increased resources invested in decreased homelessness makes sense.
Through the work of those who make more resources available and those who work on the frontlines, both committed to righting the wrong, our nation is a better place to live for all its citizens.
The day when no Memorial Service needs to be planned is the day to which we aspire.
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