ALBANY, NEW YORK. "Albany County commends the efforts of its community members for developing this 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness," said Albany County Executive Michael Breslin last week as a wide range of pubic and private sector partners gathered for the unveiling. "The action steps outlined in this Plan will significantly improve the lives of homeless individuals and families in Albany County." County Executive Breslin was joined by Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings, Town of Colonie Supervisor Mary Brizzell, Town of Bethlehem Supervisor Theresa Egan, City of Cohoes Mayor John T. MacDonald III, and United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano at Siena College's Sarazen Student Union. Siena College President Father Kevin Mackin, Homeless and Travelers Aid Society Executive Director Dr. Ira Mandelker, CARES Director of Homeless Services Mary Breslin, and Capital District Regional Planning Commission Executive Director Rocco Ferraro also took part.

"Through your plan, with its attention on targeted housing units, employment opportunities, data collection, and awakened prevention focused on youth, ex-prisoners, and victims of domestic violence, the federal government's record targeted homeless resources are intended to create results and outcomes," Director Mangano told the partners.

The Albany County Plan identifies six priority areas including community involvement, prevention, housing, chronic homelessness, employment and income opportunities, and treatment and supportive services. Specific strategies include creating additional rental units and subsidies for low-income families and individuals, adopting a "Housing First" model that moves homeless persons into permanent housing quickly, developing additional low-demand housing, creating a day shelter for chronically homeless people, increasing outreach efforts, increasing employment opportunities, creating mentorship programs with families and youth, facilitating cross-training of disciplines, and exploring opportunities for prioritizing treatment to homeless people.

United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Field Office Director Bob Scofield, and Council Regional Coordinators Carleton Lewis and John O'Brien also took part in the events.

An Executive Committee of sixteen representatives from local government, law enforcement, faith communities, housing and service providers, and a formerly homeless consumer was responsible for writing the plan. An Advisory Committee comprised of sixty members responded to the work of the Executive Committee and assisted in the development of implementation strategies.

While in the state capital, Director Mangano also met with Governor's Office Directors of Human Services Programs Renee Rider and Jennifer Alhart concerning the State's partnership in the recent $1 billion commitment to create 9000 units of permanent supportive housing for homeless people in New York City (see previous e-news).

LANSING, MICHIGAN. Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm and Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) Director Michael DeVos announced last week that MSHDA will target $10 million in combined federal and state dollars to assist eight communities in Michigan in establishing permanent supportive housing programs for persons experiencing chronic homelessness. Battle Creek, Benton Harbor, Detroit, Flint, Lansing, Muskegon, Pontiac and Saginaw will share the MSHDA grants, comprised of $6 million in HOME funds and $4 million in MSHDA reserves. In Detroit, $3 million has been committed, and each of the other seven communities will receive up to $1 million. Governor Granholm is pictured here.

Noting that the state is currently developing a 10- Year Plan which is expected by next spring, MSHDA Director DeVos stated, "Over the years, many innovative programs have been created around the state to address the housing and service needs of Michigan's poorest citizens -- homeless individuals and families. For the first time, communities and the state are working together in a coordinated way to end homelessness in our state," DeVos said. "Through this collaboration of state agencies, local governments, and service providers, we can provide the poorest members of society with housing, services, and needed income supports and work toward the goal of eliminating chronic homelessness in Michigan."

Communities were selected based on the number of persons who are chronically homeless; the number of existing shelter beds, number of bed nights, and capacity to meet the need; and poverty levels within the community. Communities receiving the grants will receive technical assistance and project review through an Interagency Service Team comprised of staff from the Michigan Department of Community Health, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Corrections, and MSHDA. The funds may be used for development costs associated with the new construction, acquisition/ rehabilitation, or master leasing of existing units to create permanent supportive housing for people who are chronically homeless.

DOVER, DELAWARE. "We must find ways to make sure all Delawareans have access to safe, decent, and affordable housing," stated Delaware Governor Ruth Minner as she, Lt. Governor John Carney, and Delaware State Housing Authority Director Sandy Johnson last week welcomed partners from across the state to the Governor's Conference on Housing in Dover, the state's capital. Pictured here are (left to right): Governor Minner, Council Director Mangano, and Housing Authority Director Johnson.

United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano, invited to keynote the conference, told attendees, "Governor Minner, Lieutenant Governor Carney, Sandy Johnson, and all the partners here in Delaware have worked to create a plan to end homelessness for those who are the most vulnerable, most disabled, most likely to live and die on our streets. The symbolic playbook is the plan of implementation and accountability prepared by the Delaware Interagency Council on Homelessness." More than 300 attendees, representing 130 organizations, participated in the daylong conference. National, state and local housing professionals shared their expertise on a wide range of issues affecting Delaware's housing industry.

United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Region III Director Guy Ciarrocchi and Council Regional Coordinator Michael German also took part in the event. Director Mangano addressed the inaugural meeting of the state's Interagency Council in May 2005, and the Council is underway with development of a State Plan.

WASHINGTON, DC. Elected and appointed officials and 10-Year Plan leaders from more than ten cities across the country gathered last week at the White House Conference Center to exchange lessons learned from helping hurricane evacuees that can be applied to ending chronic homelessness in their cities. In partnership with the Rockefeller Foundation and Common Ground Community of New York City, the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness convened senior representatives of cities with 10-year plans that also welcomed evacuees.

Dr. Dennis Culhane of the University of Pennsylvania and Arizona Department of Economic Security's Charlene Moran Flaherty (pictured here at top and lower right, respectively) described to partners the lessons learned by examining government response, with Dr. Culhane reporting on Philadelphia's Project Brotherly Love response to evacuees, and Ms. Flaherty pointing to lessons learned in Phoenix. According to Ms. Flaherty, replicable aspects of the successful one-stop included maintaining focus on individuals in need, anticipating the need to revise policy and practice on a continuous basis to achieve results, using the center's layout to foster communication and interaction for staff, and incorporating flexibility and followup in all initiatives. Attendees also heard from New York Times poverty and welfare reporter Jason DeParle, who described trends in media coverage.

Meeting in Washington were representatives of Atlanta, Chattanooga, Contra Costa, California, Indianapolis, Long Beach, Minneapolis, Nashville, New York City, Philadelphia, San Diego, and San Francisco. Partners also heard from representatives of federal agencies, including the United States Departments of Agriculture, Education, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security/FEMA, Housing and Urban Development, Labor, Veterans Affairs, and the Social Security Administration.

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS. IN THIS STORY, the e-news focuses on recent events in Boston that highlight public and private partnership commitments and the needs of special populations, including veterans and homeless elders.

VETERANS' DAY OBSERVED. Among the Veterans' Day observances around the country on November 11 was the "Leave No One Behind" event of the New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans (NESHV) in Boston. Recognized as a major provider of assistance to homeless veterans in the New England states, the Shelter convened supporters under the leadership of Board Chair Dan Daly and President and CEO Laurence Fitzmaurice. Guest speaker for the event was Colonel Ron Johnson, Commanding Officer, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano, invited to keynote the gathering, reminded those present to stay focused on their ultimate goal: "Safe houses such as the New England Shelter are a stop along the way to freedom and dignity. They offer great hope, but they are not the final stop. They are a stop along the way toward another destination of safety, security, a home, a job, a community." Director Mangano, who was joined at the event by Council Regional Coordinator John O'Brien, a Vietnam Veteran who serves as the Council's liaison to the VA Secretary's Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans, is pictured here with Colonel Ron Johnson, and Laurence Fitzmaurice.

Founded in 1990, NESHV offers a residential program with a three-tiered structure: Emergency Shelter, Transitional Housing and Single Room Occupancy. In addition, the agency offers support services addressing education, employment, health care and financial/legal services for men and women veterans. Since its founding the program has served over 13,000 veterans.

INTERGOVERNMENTAL PARTNERSHIP. At Boston Rescue Mission, the doors have been open to the city's poorest neighbors for over a hundred years. The Mission's Annual Day of Thanks was the setting this week of federal, state, and local partnership with business and private supporters, as Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, and United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano joined Mission staff and guests. Pictured here are (left to right): Governor Romney, Mrs. Romney, Mission Director Rev. John Samaan, Director Mangano, Mayor Menino, and Mrs. Menino.

"I join with the Governor and the Mayor in commending the leadership of Reverend John Samaan for the last decade and the Boston Rescue Mission for the last century in caring for the state's most vulnerable citizens as an example of the hospitality and compassion we celebrate in faith communities across the country," stated Director Mangano. "The new emphasis on housing solutions for the disabled places the Mission in the center of Boston's, the Commonwealth's, and the nation's commitment to end chronic homelessness."

HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION IN SPOTLIGHT. One after another, cities are turning to the one-stop model to deliver new services and resources to persons experiencing homelessness. Now Mayor Menino has extended the model, announcing a one- stop center to prevent homelessness in his city and targeting resources to end homelessness among elders.

The Paul and Phyllis Fireman Family Foundation has committed $1 million in funding for the center over three years, matching the City's $1 million commitment. In addition, Citizens Bank has committed $180,000 to fund a three-year demonstration program focusing on ending elder street homelessness. The slogan for the Homelessness Prevention Center campaign is "One way to end homelessness is to prevent it."

Mayor Menino was joined for the announcement by Boston Chief of Housing Charlotte Golar Richie, Boston Emergency Shelter Commission Director Jim Greene, Citizens Bank Executive Vice President of Commercial Banking Robert Smyth, Paul Fireman of The Paul and Phyllis Fireman Charitable Foundation, Fireman Foundation Executive Director Melinda Marble, and local homeless advocates and providers.

WASHINGTON, DC. The United States Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has announced new on-line resources to assist in securing SSI/SSDI benefits for person who are homeless. SAMHSA's new SOAR (SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery) webpage is located at www.pathprogram.samhsa.gov/SOAR and contains several new elements for case managers and others assisting homeless people to apply for Social Security disability benefits (Supplemental Security Income - SSI; and Social Security Disability Insurance - SSDI).

Stepping Stones to Recovery is a manual for case managers assisting adults who are homeless with their SSI and SSDI applications. It features promising practices and tools to document disabilities as part of the SSI/SSDI application process and is available to download. The SOAR Technical Assistance and Training Initiative that is being implemented in 13 States and the County of Los Angeles is also featured on the site. This initiative was offered to States participating in the Federal Interagency Policy Academies on Homelessness and supported by SAMHSA, HRSA, HUD, DOL, and the VA and is designed to increase access to SSA disability benefits for people who are experiencing homelessness.

Join the new list serve to announce new tools and information related to expediting SSI and SSDI for people who are homeless. To join, send an e-mail to soar@prainc.com.

WASHINGTON, DC. The White House is hosting a new series of regional conferences and targeted workshops through the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives to continue its support for the work of effective social service organizations. The regional conferences will offer a general overview of the Faith-Based and Community Initiative, information about the Federal funding process, available funding opportunities, and the requirements that come with the receipt of Federal funds. These conferences are geared towards those who are new to the Initiative, have no history of applying for government grants, or have attempted to secure government funding, but have not yet been successful. The targeted workshops will offer grant writing tutorials for certain Federal grant programs that present the greatest opportunity for faith-based and community organizations. These workshops are geared towards experienced organizations with a track record of applying for government funds, particularly those that have not yet been successful. Pictured here is Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Faith- Based and Community Initiatives Jim Towey at the September 13 Council meeting.

Each event provides an opportunity to inform state and local officials about equal treatment regulations and other central elements of the Faith-Based and Community Initiative. The conferences and workshops are being supported by the Departments of Justice, Agriculture, Labor, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Education, Commerce, and Veterans Affairs, the Small Business Administration, and the Agency for International Development.

On Thursday, December 8, 2005, in Nashville, the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiative will host the next in a series of regional conferences to help faith-based and community organizations learn more about President Bush's Faith- Based and Community Initiative and support the work of effective social service programs. The conference is form 8 am to 5 pm at the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel, Nashville.

Registration for the free conference is available on- line for up to three representatives from any organization. Registration deadline is 5 pm EST on Friday, December 2. The conference will also provide an opportunity to inform State and local officials about equal treatment regulations and other central elements of the Faith-Based and Community Initiative. White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Director and Assistant to the President Jim Towey is pictured here. Join the mailing list for upcoming conferences by visiting: http://www.dtiassociates.com/FBCI/mailingList.cfm

WASHINGTON, DC. WITH THIS ISSUE, the e- newsletter continues its focus on news about the Title V federal surplus property and opportunities to secure resources for homeless programs under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.

Title V provides that state and local governments, as well as nonprofit organizations, are eligible to apply for land and buildings that have been determined by the federal government to be "suitable and available" for eligible uses to benefit homeless people. More than two dozen agencies of the federal government are included as "landholding" agencies that may have property. The November 18 Federal Register listing includes suitable and available properties in Arizona, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, and Texas.

Properties are made available on an "as is" basis. Properties are leased without charge, although the homeless organization must pay for operating and repair costs. Depending on the availability of the property, and other factors, surplus properties may also be deeded to the organization. HUD collects information from Federal agencies concerning their unutilized, underutilized, excess and surplus properties and determines which are suitable for use to assist homeless persons. The determination is based on information submitted by the agency controlling the property. The Department of Housing and Urban Development publishes a weekly notice every Friday in the Federal Register listing property determinations and availability. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) handles the application portion of the program. Interested providers should notify HHS of their intention to apply for property within 60 days of the Federal Register notice. Applicants have 90 days after an expression of interest is received by HHS to submit an application. Once an application is complete, HHS acts on it within 25 days. The landholding agency enters into a license, permit, or lease agreement for homeless provider's use of unutilized or underutilized property. HHS handles the lease or deed document for surplus properties.

In the September 13 full Council meeting, a key federal housing policy development regarding the Title V program and in support of the Administration's goal of ending chronic homelessness was announced. United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) Dr. Michael O'Grady announced to Council members that the Department, responding both to the Administration's goal and the needs of communities, will in the future consider permanent supportive housing as an eligible use for federal surplus property under the McKinney-Vento Title V program.

The Department will publish a notice for review and comment this fall to operationalize the change. The policy change will reverse the approach in place since the creation of the property program in 1987, under which eligible uses for surplus property have been emergency shelter, transitional programs, and supportive services. According to HHS, this policy change will expand the options available to communities to better meet the needs of disabled individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness.