WASHINGTON, DC. With the final Congressional passage and Presidential signing of the FY 2008 Federal budget, new targeted Federal budget resources will be invested in the lives of persons who are homeless, continuing the Administration's commitment to end chronic homelessness and creating new housing investments for families and veterans. President Bush signed the budget bill last week. Additional details on budget outcomes in other targeted and mainstream resources will be available in upcoming e-news issues.

"These new federal resources reflect the increased commitment by this Administration and the Congress to end the human tragedy of homelessness for those who are most vulnerable and disabled, for families, and for veterans who have served their country," indicated United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano. "New targeted resources will relieve and remedy the long misery of homelessness through strategies that offer the central antidote to homelessness: housing."

HUD INCREASE FOCUSES ON HOUSING. HUD's homeless programs - with a total FY 2008 budget of $1.586 billion - include an increase of over $140 million for the new fiscal year. New HUD resources will both continue results in ending chronic homelessness, as well as forward new housing initiatives described below. Budget language stressed the importance of coordinating and integrating HUD homeless resources with mainstream entitlement, benefit, and service resources.

RAPID RE-HOUSING STRATEGIES ARE FOCUS OF NEW HUD FAMILY INVESTMENT. The FY 2008 HUD homeless budget includes $25 million for a demonstration program for rapid re-housing of homeless families. Just as new research on homeless families is emerging from both inside and outside of the Federal government, and consistent with United States Department of Health and Human Services Secretary and United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Chair Mike Leavitt's charge to the Council to increase focus on homeless families, new resources will be invested in housing and services for homeless families.

The new resources will be awarded competitively as part of the annual HUD funding competition. A limited number of sites will be chosen based on experience in rapid re-housing, performance in the HUD continuum of care, and geographic diversity. Families will receive housing placement services, short-term housing assistance including up to 18 months of rental assistance, and appropriate services. An evaluation component will include cost benefit analysis of both direct and indirect benefits of the demonstrations, and housing stability of the families. In addition to the new targeted HUD McKinney-Vento rapid re-housing initiative, the omnibus budget measure provided $20 million for about 2,800 mainstream vouchers for the HUD Family Reunification Program.

HUD HOUSING RESOURCES WILL TARGET HOMELESS VETERANS. The FY 2008 HUD budget directs $75 million to the HUD-VASH program for supportive housing through the use of approximately 7,500 housing certificates and services for homeless veterans, a population that HHS Secretary and Council Chair Leavitt also identified for new focus. HUD-VASH is a targeted program of the Departments of Housing and Urban Development and Veterans Affairs that uses HUD housing vouchers for homeless veterans who have been screened by VA for eligibility. Veterans receive case management from VA, and HUD allocates and distributes vouchers. The program, which has been evaluated by VA, reaches the chronically homeless population and has been shown to reduce the length of homelessness for the most vulnerable and disabled veterans. The new resources will move forward with VA leadership from new VA Secretary Dr. James Peake, who will be profiled in next week's e-news.

FY 2008 FEDERAL RESOURCES FOLLOW RECENT NEWS OF INVESTMENT AND RESULTS. The new FY 2008 Federal investments follow closely on HUD's December 20 announcement of $1.5 billion in awards for the McKinney-Vento homeless assistance program, directing resources to an unprecedented approximately 6,000 local programs. HUD's announcement noted that the agency has awarded about $10 billion in McKinney-Vento resources since 2001, and that the President's requested 2008 budget for HUD homeless programs represented a 55% increase over 2001 spending.

"Just a few weeks ago, the Administration was able to announce the first news of its kind - the numbers we have been waiting for now for 25 years on this issue - an unprecedented decrease in chronic homelessness across the nation of 11.5% from 2005 to 2006: 20,000 people moved from the streets," noted United States Interagency Council Executive Director Philip Mangano in commenting on the results of the Federal investment.

NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP OF THE UNITED STATES INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON HOMELESSNESS IS AFFIRMED. The FY 2008 Federal budget affirms the work of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness in constellating the National Partnership for results with every level of government and the private sector. The budget provides $2.15 million in investment in the Council's results-oriented initiatives driven by the President's Management Agenda. The resources will sustain and expand partnership, innovation, investment, and results in ending homelessness with 20 Federal agencies, 53 Governors of states and territories, and more than 320 local jurisdictional 10- Year Plan leaders, as well as the private sector, and a broad array of community stakeholders. The unprecedented partnership constellated by the Council since 2002, combined with innovation and investment across the nation - including both record Federal resources and new public and private investment through 10-year business plans - has achieved new results in ending homelessness. The FY 2008 budget sustains the Council's authorization.

WASHINGTON, DC. The Bush Administration has announced that the President's 2001 pledge to open or expand 1,200 community health centers across the country has been fulfilled. In making the announcement, United States Department of Health and Human Services Secretary and United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Chair Mike Leavitt noted that many of the country's neediest communities now have greater access to medical treatment.

"People served by health centers are among the most vulnerable in America," Secretary Leavitt said. "By extending care to communities where none existed before, we are strengthening the nation's health care safety net for those with nowhere to turn."

"Years ago the President saw the potential of these facilities and today millions of Americans have benefited from his vision and commitment," the Secretary added.

President Bush launched the Health Center Initiative to significantly increase access to primary health care services in 1,200 communities through new or expanded health center sites. Between 2001 and 2006, the number of patients treated at health centers has increased by over 4.7 million, representing a nearly 50 percent increase in just five years. In 2006 the number of patients served at those centers topped the 15 million mark for the first time. The health center program's annual budget has grown from $1.16 billion in FY 2001 to $1.99 billion in FY 2007.

The Health Centers Initiative is located in HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), which is an operating division of the agency. Within the Health Centers program, HRSA manages the Health Care for the Homeless Program, which has also benefited from the expansion initiative.

LOS ANGELES. Demonstrating results in the President's reentry initiatives in changing lives and improving communities, sharing innovations, and expanding partnerships with Federal, state, and local corrections agencies with faith-based and community organizations were the focus of the first White House National Summit on Prisoner Reentry recently convened in Los Angeles by the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (OFBCI).

Deputy Assistant to the President and OFBCI Director Jay Hein, joined by United States Department of Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, welcomed partners to the conference. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger offered video greetings.

"As the President has said many times, our nation is great because of the compassion of its citizens," said Secretary Chao. "And there is no better example of this than the community and faith-based organizations working all across our country."

President Bush announced his Prisoner Reentry Initiative (PRI) in the 2004 State of the Union address to expand the promise of the Department of Labor's program, Ready4Work. PRI links returning adult non- violent offenders with faith-based and community organizations that help them find work and avoid criminal activity. Early results in employment placement and one-year recidivism are promising.

BOISE, IDAHO. Just one year ago, Boise Mayor Dave Bieter convened a city-wide summit on homelessness for Idaho's capital city and launched a Policy Council and planning team to make Boise "the most livable city in the nation" modeling its 10-Year Plan on best practices identified by the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. And, in the closing days of 2007, Boise officials committed to invest $2 million of a year-end $12 million surplus in city coffers to establish a trust fund to fulfill elements of the 10-Year Plan.

Interagency Council Director Philip Mangano, who had joined Mayor Bieter for the launch of Boise's Plan, had noted that the expansive and inclusive group the Mayor had appointed to serve on the Policy Council was "one of the strongest 10-year councils I've seen in the country," noting particularly the inclusion of both the Chamber of Commerce and the United Way, organizations that "have been central to some of the finest plans in the country." Director Mangano also praised the Mayor for ensuring a business acumen in the Policy Council, stating that "business plans and a business mindset oriented to solving problems and seeking accountability and results have correlated with reductions in homelessness in implemented plans across the country."

With strong leadership from Boise Housing and Community Development Manager Jim Birdsall, the Plan had already identified four initiatives. First, the City, the Boise/Ada County Housing Authority, and the Boise VA Medical Center are working together to develop plans for 50 units of housing for homeless veterans. Second, Project CATCH creates a partnership with the faith based community for rapid rehousing of homeless families. Third, development of a detox center through an agreement and funding from the state was planned to facilitate a jail diversion effort. Finally, the City would support efforts by providers to increase service capacity for city-owned housing stock that will be transitioned to permanent supportive housing.

DENVER, COLORADO. "To respect the dignity of both the server and the served" is how the Rocky Mountain News opined on Denver's latest initiative to increase access to resources for consumers while ensuring that they have basic necessities in a comfortable and safe environment. "Come On In" is a new Denver partnership of Denver's Human Services Department, other public entities, faith-based organizations, service providers, and neighborhood associations that will engage the more than 20 public feeding programs in the city to create a match between needed resources for guests - including an indoor place to sit and eat, and restrooms - with access to other resources and services, such as health care, counseling, and placement off the streets.

"We need help getting the word out that there are some unintended consequences to these really good acts," said Roxane White, manager of Denver's Department of Human Services. Outdoor feeding programs can pose a challenge for communities which experience issues related to garbage, sanitation, and traffic. Many 10-Year Plan jurisdictions have identified the issue of outdoor feeding programs as one they would like to address through new solutions.

Organizers of the new initiative believe that meals provide an opportunity to access services, and that, once indoors, individuals in need can be offered information about where to find shelter and services such as health care, mental health care, treatment, employment, and other resources. Meal programs will be connected to new sites through the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. The partnership has set a goal of ending outdoor programs by next fall.

SAN FRANCISCO. On site, San Francisco's volunteers fulfill a variety of roles which have evolved through the experience of prior events and extensive planning and debriefing to identify best practices and next steps. Pre-Event Volunteers work during the runup to the event on data entry, packaging hygiene kits, phone bank calls, or volunteer outreach. Client Support team members are the first contact clients have with volunteers at the service center. This role is crucial in helping engage clients and make them feel welcome. They escort clients to each service site helping them to navigate the center. Some volunteers who have a special interest will be stationed at one of the many service areas such as housing information or mental health or dental. Street Outreach team members travel to different San Francisco neighborhoods and engage with homeless clients. In groups of 2 or 3 team members encourage clients to come to the event.

Homeless Connect has organized the Connect Cafe, a mini-restaurant, which serves meals to Homeless Connect clients. Food Volunteers in the Cafe area host, act as waiters, prep food and bus tables. Activity Volunteers offer letter writing, foot washing, massage, free books, pet day care and a variety of other activity projects.

Guests who come to the Homeless Connect events need a wide range of information, services and appointments. In order to assist them to make successful connections with services, every client starts with Check-In. These individuals explain and obtain signed authorization for sharing information and take the client through a structured set of questions. This brief but critical survey of needs and information identifies the service areas that will best assist the individual that day. The Check Out area is the final stop before leaving Project Homeless Connect.

Housing and Resources provides guests with reservations, and supports both adults and families with information to find and obtain housing. Housing Counselors and volunteers greet, guide, and support guests, and provide housing counseling.

In the area of Medical Care, there are needs for general medical providers, (NPs,MDs,PAs intern and residents) as well as specialists - such as dermatologists and orthopedist - and nurses and nursing students. Volunteers takes medical history, triage, take vital signs and provide wound care. A medical unit is available to guests for urgent care medical services. Guests are triaged by volunteer RNs and NPs, and most often have minor acute illnesses that are managed at the visit. On-site social workers match-up patients for follow-up appointments. Podiatry care is also offered.

Data Entry volunteers enter data into a database donated by Salesforce Inc., on-site on laptops from the collected client forms. This information is vital for capturing outcome data. Volunteers also assist Project Homeless Connect staff in compiling and entering volunteer data. In addition, Volunteer Central workers welcome and sign in volunteers the day of the event, directing volunteers to appropriate registration lines, and signing them in for the day. PHC guests also receive a bag of groceries provided by the San Francisco Food Bank. Volunteers are needed to help pass out groceries in a farmer's market style distribution.

HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT. "Our goal is to build and execute a plan that will end homelessness in Connecticut," said State Senator John McKinney, son of the late Congressman Stewart B. McKinney, for whom the federal McKinney Act is named, as he introduced a series of state level proposals for Connecticut.

"Homelessness touches nearly every facet of public policy. Investing in a long-term solution to move people out of homelessness and into housing stability will save the state money by helping to lower health care costs, reduce crime and improve student performance," said Senator McKinney. Senator McKinney is Senate Minority Leader and ranking member on the General Assembly's Select Committee on Housing. He announced the initiatives in late December.

Specifically, Senator McKinney proposed to fund 650 new supportive housing units in 2008 and commit to increasing that in 2009 by establishing an active commitment to a development pipeline; establish a Community Housing Initiatives Team to provide technical assistance to municipalities; create incentives for municipalities to include affordable and supportive housing in mixed income, mixed use developments that support responsible growth; create new incentives for developers to include affordable and supportive housing in their developments, thereby increasing the number of units and expanding the reach of permanent supportive housing (PSH) across the state, including in high cost areas; expand the Housing Tax Credit program-increasing the credit set-aside for PSH units by $3,000,000; and increase the availability of financing for supportive services.

"Today, our nation has an opportunity that did not seem realistic 20 years ago. We are no longer restricted to simply managing homelessness; today we truly have an opportunity to end homelessness. In Connecticut, we are working to do just that," said Senator McKinney.

Senator McKinney testified in October 2007 before the House Financial Services Committee which has been considering reauthorization proposals for the McKinney-Vento Act. Also during October, United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano visited Senator McKinney at the Connecticut State Capitol where they discussed progress in creating permanent supportive housing opportunity across Connecticut, the legacy of the McKinney-Vento programs, and new intergovernmental partnerships in the nation. At that time, Senator McKinney pledged his continuing support of local, state, and national efforts to end homelessness.

WASHINGTON, DC. The United States Department of Health and Human Services, under the leadership of Secretary and current Council Chair Mike Leavitt, recently announced that HHS' Administration for Children and Families had selected the national mentoring organization MENTOR to operate its new voucher program for the Mentoring of Children of Prisoners program (MCP), a Presidential initiative.

MENTOR will identify children in need of mentoring services who reside outside of areas currently served by location-based MCP programs already funded by ACF. MENTOR will also locate new organizations to provide mentoring services through the voucher program so that families of children of prisoners can choose the group that best meet their needs.

There are currently more than two million children with at least one parent in prison,. The Voucher Service Delivery Demonstration Project, authorized in 2006, is projected to provide at least 3,000 vouchers in year one with a $5 million authorized level, and at least 8,000 vouchers for year two, when authorization is $10 million. In its final year, the authorized level for the program is $15 million, projected to provide 13,000 vouchers.

email: usich@usich.gov

web: http://www.usich.gov