IN WASHINGTON: BUSH ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES $1.33 BILLION IN GRANTS TO
HOUSE AND SERVE THOUSANDS OF HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES
 December 20, 2005.
A record number of nearly 5,000 local programs that house and assist persons experiencing
homelessness - from emergency shelters and transitional programs to permanent supportive
housing programs - were awarded $1.33 billion in funding in an announcement made by United
States Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary and United States Interagency
Council on Homelessness Chair Alphonso Jackson. The awards exceeded the 4,400 programs
covered in last year's announcement. 1,318 of the project awards announced target
individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, reflecting an increase over last year's
funding of 1,089 such programs. Total funding to these projects exceeds $379 million,
a commitment that directly supports the national goal of ending chronic homelessness.
In total, HUD funding is expected to provide critically needed assistance to
approximately 172,000 persons and families living without a home of their own.
"Today, we take another step along the road toward ending chronic homelessness on our streets,"
said Secretary Jackson. "This funding will help provide homes and vital services to those who need
them most - persons and families who deserve a place they can call home." Secretary Jackson is
pictured here at center at the full Council Meeting in September with Department of Veterans Affairs
Secretary and former Council Chair R. James Nicholson at left and Council Executive Director Philip
Mangano at right.
In the past five years, HUD has awarded $6 billion in funding to state and local
communities to support the housing and service needs of homeless persons and families.
HUD's funding is provided through Continuum of Care programs supporting permanent housing,
transitional programs, and services including job training, health care, mental health
counseling, substance abuse treatment and child care. In addition, Emergency Shelter
Grants provide funds for homeless shelters, assist in the operation of local shelters
and fund related social service and homeless prevention programs.
Combined, HUD's programs will provide critically needed funding to nearly 5,000
local programs in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and
the U.S. Virgin Islands. Nearly $600 million is being awarded to projects that
provide permanent housing solutions for homeless persons. More than 3,000 local
projects that serve mothers and their children will receive $739 million. 658
programs that primarily serve victims of domestic violence will receive nearly
$125 million. $53.6 million is being awarded to 226 projects that primarily
target homeless veterans among those they serve. Nearly 1,600 of the projects
funded are dedicated to providing housing and support services to severely mentally
ill clients. These persons are at high risk of experiencing long-term or chronic
homelessness. Nearly $419 million will support 1,604 local programs that primarily
help homeless individuals with substance abuse problems. $206 million will support
faith-based organizations to house and serve homeless persons and families.
"Today once again HUD is demonstrating a deepened investment in the lives of
homeless families and victims of domestic violence," said Council Director Mangano,
"and investing in the continuation of the national initiative to end chronic
homelessness."
IN THE CITIES: NATIONAL PROJECT HOMELESS CONNECT LAUNCHED ACROSS THE COUNTRY
 December 8, 2005.
From San Juan to Los Angeles, from Nashua to Miami, and Norfolk to Denver, volunteers
partnered today in the inaugural National Project Homeless Connect Day sponsored by the
United States Interagency Council on Homelessness to engage thousands of persons
experiencing homelessness in more than twenty of the nation's cities. Thousands of
volunteers from nonprofits, corporations, federal, state, and local government agencies,
faith-based organizations, and homeless service programs joined to offer services and
housing to end the homelessness of their neighbors, often in centralized one-stop
centers set up for the day. This issue of the e-news provides early reports on results
in participating cities.
In Los Angeles, where a first-time census this year showed the largest homeless population in the country, Council Director Philip Mangano, joining Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (pictured here third from left) for the region's event, which included Hollywood and West Hollywood at the Hollygrove Children and Family Services Center, told the partners, "Project Homeless Connect is one of those innovative strategies that adds to our ability to accomplish the mission. In creating a one-stop, in bringing together the resources that will jointly end homelessness - especially housing, services, treatment, and jobs - we're assembling the solutions. Homelessness is yielding to these."
At the welcome ceremonies People Assisting the Homeless CEO Joel John Roberts and Honorary Hollywood Mayor Johnny Grant (at right, seated) welcomed volunteers and speakers, includng Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Member Zev Yaroslavsky (fourth from left), West Hollywood Mayor Abbe Land (far left), Los Angeles Council Member Tom LaBonge (second from left), and Hollygrove CEO Judith Nelson.
Over 235 individuals were engaged in the local event, where over 100 volunteers were on-site, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. 45 individuals took part in court proceedings to have offenses cleared from their records.
Council Regional Coordinators John O'Brien, Carleton Lewis, Michael German, Daryl Hernandez, and Eduardo Cabrera, as well as Council staff, contributed these reports.
PROJECT CONNECT NATIONAL DAY LINKS HOMELESS NEIGHBORS TO SERVICES AND HOUSING
At Miami Cares Day Mayor Manny Diaz (pictured here at right), joined by City of Miami Commission Chairman Joe Sanchez, presented a Proclamation for Miami Cares Day to Council Regional Coordinator Michael German (center). 540 volunteers engaged over 600 homeless individuals including moving 80 people to permanent housing and assisting 150 with Food Stamp and SSI applications. In Philadelphia, over 125 volunteers gathered in the same Municipal Building Concourse site where 100 homeless people had slept the previous night to deliver 25 different services as more than 300 homeless persons arrived during the first 90 minutes of the engagement event. Continuous transportation was available to assist people in using services, and real- time HMIS registration was used to track services and issue ID's.
SSA was among the partners present for San Jose's very successful event at the San Jose Convention Center, where both the number of persons engaged and the number of volunteers were more than double what was expected. More than 700 homeless persons were engaged by the more than 230 volunteers who participated in the day's events. The Social Security Administraition was among the participating agencies.
Norfolk, Virginia, engaged over 300 persons with the help of over 250 volunteers who provided medical, legal, and employment services, as well as benefits assistance, while, in St. Louis, a local recreation center hosted Project Connect, and over 150 volunteers assisted more than 135 individuals, including 12 who left the streets for residential placements by day's end.
In San Francisco, where the Project Homeless Connect model originated, 1500 homeless persons and 1500 vounteers made the connection that has established this technology as a successful innovation. Federal partners included the U.S. Departments of Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Labor, Veterans Affairs, and the Social Security Administration. In San Diego, over 300 persons were engaged in services early in the day, with more than 20 placed in residential programs. Both the U.S. Department of Housing and the Social Security Administration (SSA) took part.
IN THE CITIES: NATIONAL PROJECT HOMELESS CONNECT DAY PRODUCES IN CITIES SMALL AND LARGE
 In Nashua, New Hampshire, 60 volunteers joined by Mayor Bernard Streeter gathered at a local church to deliver services from over 15 agencies to about 60 homeless persons. The Social Security Administration worked on-site to provide benefits assistance. Over 350 Knoxville volunteers were on site to assist over 450 individuals, including using on- site HMIS registration to generate ID cards.
Project Homeless Connect Day in New York City was a collection of events in four of the five boroughs, including a census in Staten Island and Housing Fairs in Manhattan and Brooklyn. In Brooklyn, persons living on the streets were welcomed at the Hanson Central United Methodist Church. Over 200 individuals received assistance with Housing Applications, benefits and entitlement information, medical and mental health services, job training and referrals, SSA homeless outreach, and immigration rights.
IN THE CITIES: UPCOMING PROJECT HOMELESS CONNECT NATIONAL EVENTS
WASHINGTON, DC. When the December 8 inaugural National Project Homeless Connect Day is over, there will still be much to look forward to in the evolution of the Interagency Council's national partnership to engage persons who are homeless. More communities across the country have scheduled Project Homeless Connect events over the next few weeks.
Clarksville, Tennessee will hold a December 9 event, with Indianapolis and Minneapolis scheduled for December 13 and 14, respectively. Portland, Oregon, looks forward to a January 17 event, and Waco, Texas, will host Project Connect on January 27.
30 CITIES LAUNCH INAUGURAL NATIONAL DAY OF ENGAGEMENT TO END CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS
 WASHINGTON, DC.Thirty cities across the country have partnered with the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness to launch tomorrow's inaugural National Project Homeless Connect Day, which will bring together thousands of volunteers from nonprofits, corporations, federal, state, and local government agencies, faith-based organizations, and homeless service programs to engage persons experiencing homelessness in services and housing to end their homelessness.
"Our goal is to encourage communities to focus on activities that will help bring someone's homelessness to an end," said Council Director Philip Mangano who will participate in National Day events in Los Angeles and Hollywood. Director Mangano pointed to Project Connect as "an innovative opportunity to fuse political and social will to generate quantifiable change on our streets and in our neighborhoods."
Public and private sector volunteers in Bridgeport, Connecticut;
Chattanooga, Tennessee; Chicago; Columbia, South Carolina; Denver;
Knoxville, Tennessee; Miami; Nashua, New Hampshire; New York City;
Norfolk, Virginia; Philadelphia; Pittsburgh; San Diego; San Francisco;
San Jose; San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Louis; Tallahassee, Florida;
Warwick, Rhode Island; West Hollywood/Hollywood, California; and
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, will reach out to people experiencing
homelessness and offer services ranging from health care and legal aid
to housing assistance, job opportunities, and benefits enrollment.
Project Homeless Connect originated in San Francisco in the fall of 2004
when Mayor Gavin Newsom launched the bi-monthly event to better link that
city's street population with housing and services. Mayor Newsom gathered
over 275 city workers and walked the streets of the Tenderloin District
in an effort to better link the area's street population with available
housing and services. Since then, the event, which is held every other
month, has brought together over 10,000 volunteers with 5,500 people
experiencing homelessness.
During Project Homeless Connect, volunteers engage homeless people on the
streets or in shelters and invite them to a central location offering a
wide range of services, including shelter/housing placement, urgent medical
care, medical referral, dental care, eye exams and glasses, employment
services and placement, legal assistance and referral, behavioral
health counseling and referral, domestic violence counseling and
referral, benefit enrollment, veterans' assistance, Food Stamps,
foot care, HIV testing, free phone calls, pet care, wheelchair repair,
documentation/identification assistance, and educational classes.
Project Homeless Connect events have also been recently held in Long Beach,
New York City, and Dallas, with upcoming events scheduled in Clarksville,
Tennessee; Indianapolis; Minneapolis; Portland, Oregon; Quincy, Massachusetts;
and Waco, Texas.
IN THE CITIES: ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA UNVEILS COMPLETED PLAN FOCUSED ON HOUSING
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA. "My friends, the State of our City is great.
But, let me be clear. A great City without a great heart is one that has yet to
achieve its destiny. Saint Paul can never move ahead if we leave any behind."
So stated St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly in April as he made ending chronic homelessness
the focus of his State of the City address, stressing new initiatives to intervene
in young adult homelessness in the city and urging St. Paul citizens to join with him
"in dedication to the worthy goal of eliminating chronic homelessness in St. Paul."
United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director joined Mayor Kelly as
he became the 30th Mayor of a state capital to commit to a 10-Year Plan. Mayor Kelly is
pictured here at left with Archbishop Harry Flynn, Director Mangano, and Governor Tim
Pawlenty, who joined him for the event.
This week, Mayor Kelly, St. Paul City Council Member Pat Harris, County
Commissioner Toni Carter and members of a joint city-county Homeless
Advisory Board unveiled St. Paul’s new 5-year, $131 million plan to end
chronic homelessness which points to cost benefit analysis as a key
element in creating its focus on housing and ending reliance on emergency
services. Stated the Mayor as he announced the City’s new initiatives,
"We are in fact our brother’s keepers, and we have a responsibility to
all human beings."
The Plan sets an overall goal of 920 supportive housing units over
five years. Proposed new construction will include several housing
options, such as drug- and alcohol-free units and housing for families
and youths. More than $33 million will be spent on new construction
and $30.8 million on buying and rehabilitating existing homes. About
$36 million is set aside for rental assistance, and nearly $31 million
will be spent on support services, including counseling. St. Paul
has already reached an agreement with Catholic Charities to build
a 120-bed single occupancy facility next year, financed in part by
a state award of $10.6 million. A second phase of the plan will
address those considered transitionally homeless and is expected
to be announced next spring.
IN THE STATES: FAMILY HOMELESSNESS IS FOCUS OF STATE LEADERS
WASHINGTON, DC. Federal partners and State teams convened this
week "Improving Access to Mainstream Services for Families with
Children Experiencing Homelessness," the ninth Federal Policy
Academy, which convened in Anaheim, California. Federal partners
present were the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness
and the Departments of Agriculture, Education, Health and Human Services,
Housing and Urban Development, Justice, Labor, and Veterans Affairs.
State Teams attended from California, Colorado, Indiana, Massachusetts,
Montana, Rhode Island, and Utah, all states which also recently
welcomed hurricane evacuees.
United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano,
invited to address the state leaders, identified the importance of the event: "This
Policy Academy - through peers, experts, and researchers - will give us new ideas and
tools to further our collective mission of ending the homelessness of our poorest neighbors.
We recognize that there is a gap between what we know and what we practice. Our mission is
to close the gap with results-oriented, evidence based innovation, informed by research
and data, and impact oriented." Director Mangano is pictured here meeting with
Rhode Island's team.
State teams were joined by researchers and innovators who presented data and evidence-based
practices for families experiencing homelessness, including Dr. Marybeth Shinn, New York
University Department of Psychology. Implementation, Integration, and Systems Change was
addressed by Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance Commissioner John Wagner,
Arizona Department of Economic Security Program Administrator for Community Services Charlene
Flaherty, and Montana Council on Homelessness Coordinator Sherrie Downing.
State partners heard from HHS' Barbara Broman of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for
Planning and Evaluation and Josephine Robinson, Director of HHS' Office of Community
Services. Joining the federal representatives to work directly with state teams were
Interagency Council Coordinators John O'Brien (Region I) and Eduardo Cabrera (Region IX).
Breakout sessions for state teams included programs on housing, assisting homeless
families with employment skills; Medicaid; supporting homeless families and at-risk
families through creative use of TANF funds; youth aging out of foster care; addressing
the health/behavioral health needs of homeless families; helping homeless families meet
the educational needs of their school-aged and preschool-aged children; reentry and its
realities for prisoners, families, and communities; and federal nutrition programs.
The intended objectives for the Policy Academy process include assisting state and local
policymakers to develop an Action Plan intended to improve access to mainstream health
and human services and employment opportunities that are coordinated with housing for
persons who are experiencing homelessness; creating and/or reinforcing relationships
among the Governor’s office, State Legislators, key program administrators, and stakeholders
from the public and private sectors; providing an environment conducive to the process of
strategic decision-making; assisting State and local policymakers in identifying issues or
areas of concern that may result in a formal request for technical assistance.
While in California, Director Mangano also toured Skid Row and, with California Department
of Mental Health Director Dr. Steven Mayberg, participated in a meeting with Los Angeles
County Sheriff Leroy Baca, where partners discussed the impact of California’s new
investment in ending chronic homelessness with law enforcement and state partners.
IN WASHINGTON: KNOWLEDGE AND CHOICE – SAMHSA CONVENES NATIONAL
CONFERENCE ON HOMELESSNESS
WASHINGTON, DC. The Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) of the United States
Department of Health and Human Services on October 26-29 convened the Third
National Conference Addressing Homelessness for People with Mental Illnesses
and/or Substance Use Disorders in Washington, DC. Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) Administrator Charles Curie (pictured
here) opened the conference and welcomed the attendees, stressing SAMHSA’s
work in its Programs and Principles Matrix focused on “A Life in the
Community for Anyone: Building Resilience and Facilitating Recovery.” The
theme of the 2005 conference, attended by hundreds of providers, consumers,
and officials, was “Preparing People for Change: Knowledge and Choice.”
In a plenary session hosted by SAMHSA's Larry Rickards, United
States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip
Mangano, invited to keynote the conference, told attendees, "In
just the past several years we have developed more of the strategies
needed to get the job done. We know that there are innovative ideas
out there that will both end and prevent homelessness. We are ready
to convert these 'once in a while successes' that end people’s
homelessness with housing, services and jobs. We’re ready
to see those rare, arduous miracles converted into every day, common
experiences."
The goal of the conference was to engage care providers and consumers
in an open and ongoing dialogue about individually tailored and effective
services for the homeless community. Co-sponsors of the conference
were the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment and the Center for
Substance Abuse Prevention, also part of the Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration of HHS.
TENNESSEE PARTNERS
UNVEIL 10-YEAR PLAN FOCUSED ON LEADERSHIP AND HOUSING
KNOXVILLE,
TENNESSEE. Identifying compassion, public costs, coordination, change,
and accountability as key factors, Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam and
Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale last week unveiled their new 10-Year
Plan to End Chronic Homelessness which calls for a regional
point person to lead progress in reaching the plan’s goals.
"I think there are some people who have been homeless for years
and years without, in their minds, a hope of getting out of it,
and that's very hurtful to them, and that's very costly to us. It
costs $72 a day to have someone in the jail. Hospital emergency
rooms take the brunt of those, which is very expensive treatment,"
said Mayor Haslam. "It starts with saying that we're not going
to keep doing it like we've done before," he said.
 United
States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip
Mangano, invited to keynote the unveiling, told the partners, "As
you know it was exactly one year ago to the day that we were together
to launch the ten year planning process. In that time, the leadership
of Mayors Haslam and Ragsdale and their personal and professional
commitments on this issue have only grown. As the new Plan shows,
they’ve taken the time to learn from other cities and plans
and spent the time to coordinate more effectively the resources
already in the community." Pictured here are (left to right):
Director Mangano, Dr. Nooe, Mayor Ragsdale, and Mayor Haslam.
Planners
established a Housing First goal, stating that "leadership
is the starting place for solving chronic homelessness and preventing
future homelessness." Referring to the plan’s call for
a single administrator to oversee progress, Mayor Haslam said, "This
is a position we can afford. We are willing to make that commitment,
that's how much we believe in this." Appointment of the new
official is expected in early 2006, with a mission to coordinate
funding from the city and county to implement the nine-point plan
drafted by the 10-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness Task Force
led by Dr. Roger Nooe of the University of Tennessee College of
Social Work. City of Knoxville official Michael Dunthorn co-chaired
the Task Force.
Other
members of the Task Force included representatives of Knoxville
Coalition for the Homeless, The Salvation Army, Community Health
Services, Knox County District Attorney's Office, Central Business
Improvement District, Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee,
Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation, Knoxville Police
Department, Knoxville Utilities Board, and Cornerstone Foundation.
Knox Area Rescue Ministries also was a member of the Task Force,
and, while in Knoxville, Director Mangano toured the Mission's training,
residential, and business programs. Council Region IV Coordinator
Michael German also took part in the events.
IN WASHINGTON:
FEDERAL HOUSING INITIATIVES FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY KATRINA MOVE FORWARD
WASHINGTON,
DC. "HUD, in cooperation with our local housing authority
partners, will provide rental assistance to evacuee households in
the affected areas that were already receiving HUD housing assistance
or individuals or families who were homeless prior to the hurricane,"
stated United States Department of Housing and Urban Development
Secretary and United States Interagency Council on Homelessness
Chair Alphonso Jackson in an appearance this week on "Ask the
White House" in which he described his agency's initiatives.
Stated
Secretary Jackson: "First, individuals must register with FEMA.
Then, eligible individuals and households will be referred to local
housing authorities to participate in this program. This rental
assistance will be based on the fair market rent in the community
where an evacuee decides to relocate. Eligible evacuees may receive
rental assistance payments for up to eighteen months."
Secretary Jackson last week joined United States Department of Homeland
Security Secretary Michael Chertoff (pictured here) to announce
new federal housing initiatives and expedited assistance for those
affected by Hurricane Katrina, including historically homeless persons.
The initiatives stem from the Administration's commitment to move
all evacuees from shelter by mid-October. "Our goal is to use
existing resources in an innovative way to help all displaced individuals
and families move from temporary shelters to more stable, safe and
sufficient housing," said Secretary Chertoff. "Through
this coordinated effort, the Federal government is taking quick
and immediate action to cut through red tape and deliver immediate
assistance to evacuees."
The
target date for implementation of HUD's program, entitled "Katrina
Disaster Housing Assistance Program (KDHAP)," is October 1.
According to last Friday's announcement, housing assistance is being
expedited to all evacuees unable to meet immediate housing needs
using combined efforts from FEMA and HUD that are based on the agencies'
view that evacuees from the hardest-hit portions of Alabama, Mississippi
and Louisiana generally fall into four distinct types of households:
previous homeowners, renters, individuals who lived in public housing,
and those who were homeless prior to the hurricane. FEMA's assistance
is being targeted to the first two groups. HUD's KDHAP initiatives
are directed to those who lived in public housing and those who
were historically homeless at the time of Hurricane Katrina.
To
obtain assistance, you must register with FEMA (1/800-621-FEMA)
and obtain a FEMA ID number, make a housing location decision with
assistance from HUD and the Public Housing Authority, obtain transportation
from FEMA, and, on arrival at a new location, work with the Public
Housing Authority who will coordinate temporary shelter and housing
search assistance.
The
HUD KDHAP subsidy will be capped at 100% of local FMR for family's
bedroom size, with an allowance for an actual security deposit amount
(capped at 100% of local FMR for family's bedroom size), and actual
deposits for utilities (capped at $325) There is no family contribution
towards rent provided the rent for the unit does not exceed the
FMR. The family will pay for any utilities not included in the rent.
IN THE CITIES
AND COUNTIES: NATION'S 200TH 10-YEAR PLANNING PARTNERSHIP LAUNCHED
IN RENO, NEVADA
 RENO,
NEVADA. The City of Reno, joined by Sparks and Washoe County,
Nevada, last week became the 200th jurisdiction to commit to a 10-Year
Plan to End Chronic Homelessness. United States Interagency Council
on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano, joined Reno Mayor
Bob Cashell, Sparks Mayor Geno Martini, Washoe County Commissioner
Bonnie Webber, local officials, and United Way of Northern Nevada
President Anne Cory at Reno City Hall for the event. Jurisdictional
leaders named former City Councilmember and local business leader
Bob Rusk as Chair and Deputy City Attorney Mike Halley as Co-chair
to forward the new initiative which is expected to result in a draft
plan within six months.
"It's
a privilege to be in a city reaching one hand to newly homeless
Katrina evacuees and the other to historically homeless citizens,"
stated Director Mangano. "Today the 'biggest little city in
the world' is demonstrating that a little city can have a big heart."
Director Mangano also noted the work that Reno has done to encourage
cost benefit analysis as part of 10-Year Plans, citing the work
of Reno Police Department Officers Patrick O'Bryan and Stephen Johns
who conducted their own analysis of several individuals on Reno
streets and their use of emergency and law enforcement services.
Cost benefit studies across the country continue to indicate that
homeless people, especially those who are experiencing chronic homelessness,
are among the most expensive people to the public purse in communities
throughout the nation. Costs in expensive healthcare systems - emergency
rooms of hospitals, acute entrances to substance and mental health
systems, court and law enforcement costs - when aggregated demonstrate
clearly - the solutions of the future can be less expensive than
the ad hoc responses of the past.
IN WASHINGTON:
FEDERAL AGENCIES MAKE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND WAIVERS AVAILABLE
TO ASSIST THOSE AFFECTED BY HURRICANE KATRINA
WASHINGTON,
DC. With Hurricane Rite rapidly approaching, communities are
bracing themselves for the latest storm and its consequences. Here
is an update of the federal response to Hurricane Katrina including
some waivers and dispensations issued by federal agencies.
According
to the Federal
Emergency Management Agency, Federal disaster declarations are
covering 90,000 square miles of affected areas. More than 72,000
unified federal personnel have been deployed. More than 49,800 lives
have been saved and rescued. 89,400 people are currently housed
in shelters nationwide. 717,000 households have received $1.5 billion
in disaster assistance. Approximately 54,800 housing damage inspections
have been completed. More than 73% of affected drinking water systems
in Louisiana have been restored and 78% are restored in Mississippi.
The American Red Cross, in coordination with the Southern Baptist
Convention, has served more than 12 million hot meals and more than
8.2 million snacks to survivors of Hurricane Katrina. 50,000 National
Guard personnel responded to the relief effort. 44 Disaster Recovery
Centers are open in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas to
gain assistance from recovery specialists of local, state, federal
and volunteer agencies.
Department
of Housing and Urban Development has issued waiver for several
programs under Community Planning and Development (CPD): McKinney-Vento
Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG), Housing Opportunities for People
with AIDS (HOPWA), HOME, CDBG, and the Consolidated Plan. CPD Assistant
Secretary Pamela Patenaude has authorized ESG waivers so that the
definition of "emergency shelter" is not limited to "facilities."
The current definition prevents the use of conventional housing
owned by private sector landlords from being used as short- term
emergency and transitional shelter resources. Because of the scope
of this disaster, HUD is providing maximum flexibility to grantees
to meet emergency housing needs.
CPD
has also waived for up to one year the obligation and expenditure
requirements that currently require states to make ESG funds available
for use within 65 days, obligate them within 180 days and spend
them within 24 months. Entitlement communities must spend funds
within 24 months. This waiver will enable grantees to retain their
funds while homeless providers and their communities seek to rebuild
service delivery systems. On-line resources provide further information
special procedures for e-benefits, locating clients, health information,
and more.
Department
of Veterans Affairs. There are several mobile outpatient clinics
which have been deployed from other VA medical centers to help provide
care in the area. VA has established a toll-free number (1/800-507-4571)
to assist veterans who received care at the New Orleans VA Medical
Center and the VA Gulf Coast Health Care System (Biloxi and Gulfport).
VA's web site has information and links on benefits, health care,
public health issues, and concerns of family members and employees.
Department
of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service waives campground fees
for Hurricane Katrina survivors. The forests offering free camping
include the Kisatchie National Forest in Louisiana, the National
Forests of Alabama, the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest in Arkansas,
the Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas and Oklahoma and the National
Forests and Grasslands of Texas. In all, 106 campgrounds are open
without charge to victims of Hurricane Katrina as they transition
through the first weeks of the disaster.
Eligibility
requirements associated with the rural housing program are being
waived to expedite the relocation process by USDA Rural Development.
30,000 housing units across the country in the USDA Rural Development
program are available to displaced residents. 50,000 low-income
residents in the affected areas who have mortgages through USDA
are being notified of a 90-day minimum moratorium on payments to
reduce the financial hardship.
Schools
are being permitted to provide free meals to children who have fled
areas devastated by the hurricane. USDA has authorized and continues
to encourage states to pre-load electronic food benefit (EBT) cards
with $50 worth of assistance, which will enable displaced residents
to immediately purchase food even before their application has been
processed to receive complete benefits. These cards can then be
distributed to displaced residents as they move from shelters to
temporary housing.
Department
of Health And Human Services has waived provisions of the Social
Security Act or related regulations for the affected areas under
the declarations of emergency for Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, and
Mississippi, and to the extent necessary to ensure sufficient health
care items and services for persons enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid,
and SCHIP programs and to insure health care providers that furnish
such items and services in good faith, but are unable to comply
with requirements due to Katrina, can be reimbursed for services.
CMS
has adopted a series of emergency policy changes to accommodate
the needs of thousands of displaced Medicaid and State Children's
Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) beneficiaries who have fled Hurricane
Katrina and need urgent medical attention in their new host states.
Special evacuee status is granted to all those who fled states because
of Hurricane Katrina. Accordingly, CMS is working with affected
states to develop a new Medicaid and SCHIP application template,
through which states may be granted emergency section 1115 demonstrations
to provide temporary eligibility for all eligibility groups. Using
this new program, evacuees displaced because of the storm will be
able to quickly enroll in Medicaid or the State Children's Health
Insurance Program (SCHIP) in the state to which they have been evacuated.
The
Administration is working with Congress to provide financial support
to states that provide Medicaid and SCHIP coverage to evacuees who
are currently residing in their states. Consequently, CMS is allowing
states to count the full expected cost of these temporary programs
in their financial statements to determine federal payments. The
following changes to Medicaid and SCHIP will be available to states
through the special Section 1115 demonstration initiative: States
may waive the normal documentation requirements for verifying an
evacuee's Medicaid or SCHIP status in his/her home state or any
information relating to household income or employment. The host
state may provide temporary eligibility to applicants who are already
enrollees in their home state. During the period of eligibility,
the host state is required to verify circumstances of eligibility
to the greatest extent possible. Evacuees may apply using a simplified
application in the host state. Host states, at a minimum, will provide
their own Medicaid and SCHIP benefit packages to the evacuees. Host
states must extend the expedited application process to evacuees
who may be newly eligible because of new economic circumstances
created by the hurricane (i.e., loss of job and income that may
have made them ineligible prior to the storm). CMS has assigned
staff to work with all states who are hosting evacuees to provide
speedy access to Medicaid and SCHIP benefits to those in need.
IN WASHINGTON:
INTERAGENCY COUNCIL MEMBERS ELECT HUD SECRETARY JACKSON AS CHAIR
WASHINGTON, DC -- SEPTEMBER 13. In a meeting of the full
membership of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness
at the White House, Council members unanimously elected Department
of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson as Council
Chair. Secretary Jackson, who recognized the contributions of outgoing
Chair and VA Secretary Jim Nicholson in his commitment to homeless
veterans, praised the record of the Council in shaping the nationwide
effort to end chronic homelessness and in supporting the joint efforts
of Council members.
Secretary
Jackson pledged to fully commit himself to the Administration's
goal of ending chronic homelessness for the hardest-to-serve homeless
individuals who may also be living with a disability, mental illness
or an addiction. He also pointed to those individuals and families
made homeless for the first time in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
The Secretary called on member agencies to continue their close
collaboration to assist the chronically homelessness as well as
those evacuees from the Gulf region.
"Today, we are challenged as never before to create forward-thinking
solutions to help those without a roof over their heads," he
said. "During this time of incredible need, HUD is answering
President Bush's call and helping speed the delivery of resources
to communities struggling to house and serve persons and families
who are now homeless because of Hurricane Katrina." Pictured
here are (left to right) outgoing Chair and VA Secretary Nicholson,
new Chair and HUD Secretary Jackson.
Director
Mangano, congratulating Secretary Jackson on his new role, observed,
"We are fortunate to have Secretary Jackson as a leader at
this critical time in the Council's efforts. Homeless people across
the country and the Council's members will be greatly assisted by
the Secretary's leadership in the coming months. He has shown that
he knows how to distinguish between a refugee and an evacuee, between
shelter and housing."
HHS ANNOUNCES
HISTORIC NEW PERMANENT HOUSING POLICY
In
the September 13 full Council meeting, a key federal housing policy
development was announced in support of the Administration's goal
of ending chronic homelessness. The United States Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that, in response to both
to the Administration's goal of ending chronic homelessness and
the needs of communities, it 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 an official 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.
ADDITIONAL
FEDERAL RESOURCES ANNOUNCED FOR HURRICANE KATRINA RECOVERY
WASHINGTON,
DC. Federal agencies continue to bring resources on line
to support and assist those affected by Hurricane Katrina. The
Department of Health and Human Services has announced the
availability of a toll-free hotline for people in crisis in
the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. By dialing 1/800-273-TALK
(1/800-273-8255), callers will be connected to a network
of local crisis centers across the country that are committed
to crisis counseling. Callers to the hotline will receive counseling
from trained staff at the closest certified crisis center in
the network.
"We
have all been touched by this tragedy, and profound sadness,
grief, and anger are normal reactions that many people may experience," HHS
Secretary Mike Leavitt said. "We want people to know that
we have a nationwide team of crisis counseling experts available
to help people through their grief and loss."
The
network is run by HHS' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration and involves more than 110 certified crisis centers.
People who are in emotional distress or suicidal can call at
any time from anywhere in the nation to talk to a trained worker
who will listen to and assist callers in getting the mental health
help they need. People will be provided with immediate access
to local resources, referrals and expertise.
In
addition, please take note of the following numbers posted
by federal agencies to provide assistance:
FEMA
Disaster Assistance Registration is available at 800/621-3362.
This number is for use by people in designated federal disaster
areas. Callers will give Social Security number, a description
of losses, provide some financial information, and give directions
to the damaged property.
The
Department of Housing and Urban Development has established
a single toll-free housing hotline, 1/888-297-8685,
to assist the victims of Hurricane Katrina on all housing issues
and questions. The number operates from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. CDT,
seven days a week.
The
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has set up a toll-free
number - 800/ 507-4571 - for veterans who normally receive
health care at VA facilities in New Orleans, Gulfport, and
Biloxi, Mississippi. The number can also be used by family
members concerned about the location of veterans who were hospitalized
at those facilities. The Gulfport facility has been closed,
and the New Orleans medical center has been evacuated. The
Biloxi facility is still operational.
The
number will be staffed continuously for the duration of the emergency.
By calling that number, people can find out about receiving health
care for veterans evacuated from the storm area; receiving prescription
drugs for veterans in the stricken area; locating evacuated VA
patients; and any other health care questions for veterans in
the area affected by the storm.
The
Department of Labor has established a National Contact
Center 1/866-4-USA-DOL for inquiries about unemployment
insurance, disaster unemployment insurance, and National Emergency
Grants.
The
Social Security Administration is working to ensure that
monthly payments get to beneficiaries affected by Hurricane
Katrina. For paper checks: The United States Postal
Service (USPS) has suspended mail service in some areas damaged
by Hurricane Katrina. USPS is establishing temporary mail delivery
stations so you can pick up your Social Security check. To
help prevent identity fraud, USPS will ask you for a photo
ID. If you are not able to go to a temporary mail delivery
station, you can go to any open Social Security office and
request an immediate payment. For Direct Deposit: If
you receive your Social Security payment by direct deposit,
your Social Security payment is scheduled to be deposited to
your account as usual. However, if you experience any difficulty
getting your payment, you can go to any open Social Security
office and request an immediate payment. For more information
on the nearest open Social Security office, you can call 1/800-772-1213.
AROUND THE
NATION: RESPONSES TO HURRICANE KATRINA COME FROM ALL SECTORS
WASHINGTON,
DC. As federal partners link the existing emergency infrastructure
to those in need, the response from all sectors to Hurricane
Katrina continues to build. The internal Task Force of the
United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, created
last week by Council Executive Director Philip Mangano to ensure
that the needs of homeless persons in the affected areas will
be a priority in all present and future stabilization and recovery
efforts, has been reporting regularly on developments in the
field. Led by Region IV Coordinator and 16-year FEMA veteran
Michael German, whose regional responsibilities include Alabama,
Mississippi, and Florida, the Task Force has re-established
contact with homeless programs displaced from affected areas
and is steadily assessing need.
Mr.
German has been in contact with regional federal offices across
the southern states, hearing of their coordinated efforts to
provide assistance to those leaving the stricken area, and the
success of evacuations of both homeless persons and program staff.
For example, some New Orleans programs were evacuated to Houston
, Baton Rouge , and other areas and are still re-establishing
communications. Programs from Gulfport and Biloxi were able to
evacuate some clients to northern areas of the state. Programs
are identifying the extent of damage to their sites and needs
ranging from transportation barriers to ensuring continuity for
prescriptions. Key state homeless contacts, such as Alabama's
new Interagency Council for the Homeless, operated by the Office
of Faith Based and Community Initiatives in the Governor's office,
has appealed for housing, shelter, clothing, food, jobs, and
transportation that can be made available to survivors.
Region
VI Coordinator Sally Shipman met this week with the Regional
Federal Interagency Council for Region VI, which includes Louisiana
and Texas. She has reported on the work of emergency assistance
centers along the I-45 corridor between Houston and Dallas, initiatives
by local motels to open their doors for 2-week stays for those
in need, and developing efforts to ensure educational access
for students at every level, including college.
With
housing need a top priority, the Federal
Emergency Management Agency is being aided from a wide
variety of sources across the nation including state parks, military
bases, available housing stock and private homes. Other housing
options already being implemented or considered by FEMA include
deployment of thousands of FEMA emergency trailers; use of military
facilities; contracting for hotels and motels; contracting rentals
and other vacant properties; assistance from state and local
governments and businesses; and generosity of friends and other
private citizens opening their homes to evacuees.
The
Department of Homeland Security's Homeland Security Operations
Center (HSOC) has activated the National Emergency
Resource Registry. The NERR will assist the coordination
efforts between the private and public sectors. If you or
your organization / agency / corporation have resources that
may be made available, please list them in this Resource
Registry. Most needed are baby food, housing, transportation,
and emergency supplies. Register to provide resources at https://www.swern.gov/
IN WASHINGTON:
FEDERAL PARTNERS RESPOND TO KATRINA
WASHINGTON,
DC. The
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) successfully evacuated
the most critically ill patients from the VA Medical Center
in New Orleans , and VA officials are now establishing procedures
for family members to locate patients evacuated from affected
facilities. Officials are also finalizing procedures for veterans
from the hurricane area to receive benefits checks and prescription
drugs. "The safety of our patients is paramount for all
VA employees," said VA Secretary and United States Interagency
Council on Homelessness Chair R. James Nicholson.
VA
has set up a toll-free number for veterans who normally receive
health care at VA facilities in New Orleans , and Gulfport and
Biloxi , Mississippi . The number can also be used by family
members concerned about the location of veterans who were hospitalized
at those facilities. The Gulfport facility has been closed, and
the New Orleans medical center has been evacuated. The Biloxi
facility is still operational.
The
VA number is 1/800-507-4571. It will be staffed continuously
for the duration of the emergency. By calling that number, people
can find out about: receiving health care for veterans evacuated
from the storm area; receiving prescription drugs for veterans
in the stricken area; locating evacuated VA patients; and any
other health care questions for veterans in the area affected
by the storm. The volunteer corps of VA has assisted veterans
for nearly 60 years; people wishing to help should contact their
nearest VA facility and ask for the Voluntary Service Office.
Department
of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso
Jackson also announced new steps to address need in the region. "We
understand the pain that these families are going through," he
said. "We are committed to giving those families the
security of having a roof over their heads as soon as possible
- even if it's a temporary solution."
In
an effort to "meet the immediate housing needs of those
whose homes have been damaged or destroyed," HUD is sending
employees to Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster field
offices, Secretary Jackson announced. The housing agency is also
compiling inventories of empty multifamily housing, public housing
units and other vacant homes that could provide temporary shelter.
Individuals in declared counties can register online for disaster
assistance at www.fema.gov or call FEMA’s toll free registration
line at 1/800-621-FEMA (3362); for the hearing impaired TTY 800-462-7585.
The
Department of Labor last week announced grants to
help displaced workers earn money while they look for permanent
jobs. "Our hearts go out to the people of New Orleans
and the communities throughout Louisiana , Mississippi ,
and Alabama who face many challenges as they recover from
the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina," said Secretary
of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "These grants will provide
up to $116 million to create temporary jobs that will mean
paychecks for thousands of dislocated workers and will help
to clean-up, rebuild and repair their communities."
The
National Emergency Grants will help states pay citizens who assist
in the cleanup. Initial installments of $1.3 million in Alabama
and $16.6 million in Mississippi have been released. The Mississippi
disbursement will be used to create up to 10,000 temporary jobs
for people providing food, shelter, and other services to fellow
Mississippians. State officials will administer the grants. Individuals
seeking unemployment assistance from the impacted areas and at
evacuation sites should call the U.S. Department of Labor toll-free
at 1/866-4-USA-DOL (1/866-487-2365) for information on registering
for unemployment insurance and disaster unemployment assistance.
The
Small Business Administration is sending loan officers
to the FEMA assistance centers to help help disburse loans
of up to $200,000 each to repair damaged homes, and of up
to $40,000 for replacement of personal property including
furniture and clothing. Small companies can apply for up
to $1.5 million to fix offices, machinery and damaged inventory.
SBA provided $2.1 billion to help to 64,500 home and business
owners in the aftermath of hurricanes last summer.
The
Social Security Administration has announced new
measures to ensure that victims of Hurricane Katrina will
receive benefits. According to SSA, the agency will grant
hurricane victims duplicate benefits if they don't receive
original checks sent by the agency or if direct deposits
fail to go through. Beneficiaries can go to SSA offices to
receive emergency payments. SSA representatives are already
working at FEMA emergency stations in affected areas. SSA
is also working with the United States Postal Service to
set up temporary locations where people can pick up essential
mail, including Social Security checks. Some temporary sites
already have opened in Mississippi . SSA’s Public Affairs
officials are also working to publicize these services. Information
on local SSA offices is available at 1/800- 772-1213. For
information on temporary mail pickup locations, visit USPS'
National Mail Service Update Page.
The
potential effect of this variety of federal efforts to respond
will be to prevent the long-term homelessness of those who are
victims of the Katrina disaster.
IN WASHINGTON:
HUD FORWARDS RESOURCES FOR PERSONS AFFECTED BY HURRICANE KATRINA
WASHINGTON,
DC. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso
Jackson has announced that HUD has established a Public
and Indian Housing Resource Information Center, and
a toll-free number, 1/800-955-2232, to assist displaced public
housing residents and Section 8 voucher holders. Through its
80 field offices, HUD has also provided policy guidance to
the nation's 3,200 Public Housing Authorities on how to assist
displaced families as they relocate to other areas.
"We
have had a number of Public Housing Authorities (PHA) nationwide
from as far away as Ohio and Pennsylvania, step up to this challenge,
and immediately start making all their vacant units accessible
for displaced families," said Secretary Jackson. "We
will be working with all the PHA's, around the clock, to help
restore that sense of security a family has when there is a roof
over their head."
In
other measures, Secretary Jackson has instructed all FHA-approved
lenders to provide foreclosure relief to FHA-insured families
who are affected by Hurricane Katrina. The relief includes a
special 90-day moratorium on all foreclosures of FHA-insured
properties in the Presidentially declared disaster areas. Secretary
Jackson is also encouraging lenders to undertake actions such
as mortgage modification, refinancing, and waiver of late charges.
Following
President Bush's federal disaster declaration, HUD began providing
staff to Disaster Field Offices set up by the Federal Emergency
Management Agency. HUD's initial concern is to help meet the
immediate housing needs of those whose homes have been damaged
or destroyed. HUD is also reaching out to its private sector
partners such as the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National
Association of Counties for assistance. HUD is contacting top
mortgage lenders about their inventory of repossessed homes;
the homebuilding industry for help with building materials and
supplying construction workers; its housing counseling network
to assist displaced homeowners; and the manufactured housing
industry about available housing stock.
In
addition, HUD will identify vacant multi-family housing and HUD-owned
homes that could be used as temporary housing for those forced
from their homes. For more information about temporary housing
go to FEMA's Web site or call 1-800-621-3362. Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME grantees may reprogram previously
awarded grants to redirect their focus to disaster recovery activities
but grantees must request the reprogram from HUD. HUD's Section
203(k) loan program enables homebuyers and homeowners who have
lost their homes to finance both the purchase and/or refinancing
of a house and the cost of its rehabilitation through a single
mortgage. It also allows homeowners who have damaged houses to
finance the rehabilitation of their existing single-family home.
This program encourages lenders to make mortgages available to
borrowers who would not otherwise qualify for conventional loans
on affordable terms and to residents of disadvantaged neighborhoods.
HUD has a special mortgage insurance program under Section 203(h)
of the National Housing Act to assist disaster victims. Under
this program, individuals or families whose residences were destroyed
or damaged to such an extent that reconstruction or replacement
is necessary are eligible for 100 percent financing. HUD will
provide Indian Community Development Block Grant funding (up
to $300,000 per grantee) for disaster relief for Indian Housing
and Tribal areas.
IN THE CITIES:
HEALTH CARE FOR THE HOMELESS PROGRAMS STEP UP TO HELP KATRINA
VICTIMS
WASHINGTON,
DC. The federal Health
Care for the Homeless program has stepped up to respond
to Hurricane Katrina with key resources for communities and
homeless people. Funded by the Health
Resources and Services Administration at the United States
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Health Care
for the Homeless programs are making dozens of volunteer medical
professionals available to affected parts of the country to
support relief and recovery efforts.
Working
with the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, HCH
is also directing copies of its manual, The Health Care of
Homeless Persons: A Manual of Communicable Diseases & Common
Problems in Shelters & on the Streets, by overnight
delivery to FEMA for distribution to emerging shelters in Alabama
and Mississippi. Distribution is forthcoming to areas of Louisiana
and Texas which will see the bulk of those in need. HCH programs
throughout the country expect to see a surge in patients as those
displaced by the storm seek shelter in other communities.
The
practical, highly informative guidebook is a resource for clinics,
shelters, service sites, and housing facilities affected by the
markedly poor health of homeless persons. "This manual provides
an expert resource for understanding and addressing specific
physical health problems of homeless people, and to respond more
appropriately and effectively," stated John Lozier, Executive
Director of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council.
For others working in the affected areas or with those fleeing
affected communities, the manual is also available on-line for
download at www.nhchc.org/manual.html
Edited
by Dr. James O'Connell of the Boston Health Care for the Homeless
Program, the heavily illustrated 384-page manual describes 36
serious health problems that frequently afflict homeless persons
and discusses appropriate responses and treatment. The manual
addresses communicable disease control and food handling in shelter
settings, and describes current approaches to the management
of chronic diseases. Also included are convenient patient education
materials in English and Spanish that can be easily reproduced
for clients, staff, and volunteers.
Health
Care for the Homeless is also broadly distributing the Center
for Disease Control's Updates (available in several languages)
on food and water safety, electrical hazards, and other key issues.
See CDC UPDATES TO INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE: Aug 31-Sep 2, 2005
- Special Update: New and Updated Documents Relating to Hurricane
Katrina and Hurricane-Affected Areas - Keep Food and Water Safe
after a Natural Disaster or Power Outage - Water Section Updated
- http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/foodwater.asp;
Disinfecting Wells Following an Emergency - http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/wellsdisinfect.asp;
French Translation of: How to Protect Yourself and Others from
Electrical Hazards Following a Natural Disaster - http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/fr/pdf/electrical.pdf;
French Translation of: Key Facts About Hurricane Recovery: Protect
Your Health and Safety After a Hurricane - http://wwwv.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/fr/pdf/r
ecovery.pdf
IN THE CITIES:
PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERS MOVE TO RESPOND
WASHINGTON,
DC. The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness
has responded to numerous recent inquiries from the private
sector, as organizations work to create additional resources
and opportunities for those in need following Hurricane Katrina.
This story profiles two innovators whose initiatives the e-news
has previously reported, and the ways in which they are responding
to the hurricane's aftermath. HomeAid, a major developer
of transitional housing for persons experiencing homelessness,
has received a multi-million dollar grant from AmeriQuest Mortgage
Company to address the mid and long term housing issues resulting
from Katrina. Partnered with the building industry, HomeAid
will use its well-established public/private model and its
new seed money to create a prototype program in Houston with
the Building Industry Association. This model will then be
expanded to the Gulf Coast region more broadly.
Supported
primarily through corporate donations, foundation grants, and
individual contributions, HomeAid emergency and transitional
facilities are owned and operated by non-profit partners and
include specialized supportive counseling and job training services
to achieve self-sufficiency. HomeAid's model provides for local
communities to exercise choice in becoming partners. Building
associations select a community provider and a specific project
and then recruit a Builder Captain, a role HomeAid views as the
centerpiece of its mission. The local HomeAid Chapter recruits
the Builder Captain from among building industry professionals
to play the lead role in the planned construction or renovation
project. The Builder Captain then turns to trade partners (sub
contractors, suppliers, and consultants) in the local building
community to contribute labor, materials, and services to the
construction or renovation project.
The
Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) program brings shelter,
meals, and support services to families without homes in a
cost-efficient, effective, and replicable community response
to family homelessness. IHN is currently talking to its chapters
to design a response to Hurricane Katrina. Based on site visits
to both programs in the field, the Interagency Council, working
with many partners, saw that the strengths, approaches, and
record of HomeAid and Interfaith Hospitality Network were complementary
parts to a larger goal of rapidly expanding community-based
capacity for families in need. HomeAid and IHN are now exploring
possible partnership in launching additional cost-effective
capacity in emergency and transitional settings.
Because
they make use of existing community resources, IHN sites can
be implemented quickly, without major start-up costs. Hosting
rotates weekly among the 10 to 12 host congregations in a Network.
In turn, each host congregation provides lodging, three meals
daily, and welcoming care. Network sites may also provide a Day
Center, where guests use a local day center from 8:00 AM to 5:00
PM, where the IHN director, a professional social worker, provides
case management services. There, guests pursue employment, tend
pre-school children, shower, and do laundry. The day center provides
guests with a mailing address and a base for housing and employment
searches. Many guests are employed during the day, while older
children attend school.
Volunteers
provide services including cooking and serving meals, playing
with children or helping them with homework, and interacting
with guests, with respect and compassion. Local social service
agencies refer families to the Network. The agencies may also
help guests find housing, jobs, and benefits. An IHN van transports
guests to and from the day center. The van also carries bedding
and luggage to the next host congregation.
IN WASHINGTON:
INTERAGENCY COUNCIL RESPONDS TO HURRICANE KATRINA
WASHINGTON,
DC. As the destructive force of Hurricane Katrina is still
being manifested in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida,
the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness has moved
to ensure that the needs of homeless persons in the affected
areas will be a priority in all present and future stabilization
and recovery efforts. Council Executive Director Philip Mangano
this week announced the creation of an internal Council Task
Force which includes the Council's Regional Coordinators in
the affected areas.
"Member
agencies of the Council will be making significant investment
in the stabilization and recovery efforts in the affected areas," stated
Director Mangano. "Our task is to work diligently to communicate
with affected areas and ensure that the needs of people experiencing
homelessness - both historic and new - are recognized and given
priority. We are not only concerned for those who have been homeless
but for those, especially renters, who now are at risk of long
term homelessness. Our efforts, as always, will be in partnership
with federal, state, and local responses, as well as with providers
in the field."
The
Council's Task Force is led by Region IV Coordinator Michael
German, whose regional responsibilities include Alabama, Mississippi,
and Florida. Mr. German is a 16-year veteran of FEMA disaster
relief efforts. At FEMA he managed over twenty major disaster
operations in the field. Previously he created and directed the
Office of Grants Development for the City of Atlanta under former
Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson and also served as Deputy Executive
Director of the Atlanta Housing Authority, the fourth largest
public housing agency in the nation.
Region
VI Coordinator Sally Shipman will also be key to the Task Force,
with her responsibilities in the states of Louisiana and Texas.
Ms. Shipman came to her work at the Council with broad experience
in issues facing homeless programs. As a City Council member
in Austin, Texas, Ms. Shipman initiated the City's Task Force
on Homelessness. She also served as the Executive Director of
the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County and chair
of the Texas Interagency Council for the Homeless, as well as
on the Board of the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans.
In the States:
California Governor Shwarzenegger Announces New State and Housing
Initiatives
 LONG
BEACH, CALIFORNIA. "I'm dedicated to working together
so we can build a California where everyone has a place they
can call home," stated California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
on August 31 as he announced the California Initiative to End
Long -Term Homelessness, a package of state and private funding
targeted to the development of new supportive housing and services
and the creation of a State Interagency Council on Homelessness.
Speaking at the USVets Cabrillo Career Center in Long Beach,
California, the Governor was joined by public and private partners
pictured here (left to right) Long Beach Mayor and United States
Conference of Mayors President Beverly O'Neill, Corporation
for Supportive Housing President Carla Javits, Hilton Foundation
Vice President Judith Miller, and USVets Community Development
Director Steve Peck.
According
to Governor Schwarzenegger, the goals of the new initiative are
to leverage Proposition 46 funds, in conjunction with tax credits
and locality funds, to build approximately 400 to 500 new units
of permanent housing, support the cost of ongoing services through
Proposition 63 funding to ensure these tenants receive the services
they require to keep them off the street, and coordinate federal,
state, local, non-profit and private sector efforts to combat
homelessness. The Initiative creates a multi- agency committee
to provide a simple, one-stop approval process for funding requests.
Funds
announced by the Governor include: up to $40 million in Proposition
46 funds to leverage private sector resources to produce 400
to 500 new supportive housing units; funding provided under Proposition
63, the Mental Health Services Act to be used for services and
support of ongoing operations at housing communities; $10 million
from the California Housing Financing Agency from its Housing
Assistance Trust to provide liquidity to community based lending
organizations developing housing for the long-term homeless,
freeing up capital for greater leveraging for new units; $750,000
in Proposition 63 dollars allocated to the Department of Housing
and Community Development to be used for predevelopment costs
such as permitting, engineering costs, site development and environmental
reports; and $125,000 in State General Fund dollars to fund an
inter-agency council comprised of: state and federal agencies
and departments; local social service, health, law enforcement
and other local agencies; local elected officials; non-governmental
providers of services to the homeless; homeless advocates; and
the philanthropic community, to coordinate efforts to combat
long-term homelessness and maximize the use of resources.
The
Conrad Hilton Foundation has recently committed $8 million to
help community groups develop new permanent supportive housing
units for homeless people with mental illness and to facilitate
funding coordination among city and county agencies. The funding
provided by the Foundation will be administered through the Corporation
for Supportive Housing.
The
Governor's announcement follows California becoming the 48th
state to partner with the U. S. Interagency Council on Homelessness
in the creation of a State Interagency Council on Homelessness
and the recent visit of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson announcing HUD's Homeless
Assistance Grants. A special emphasis on homeless veterans was
part of the initiatives announced by the Governor.
In the Cities:
Central Arkanas Cities Collaborate on Plan to End Chronic Homelessness
|
Mangano,
Jacksonville Mayor Tommy Swaim and Little Rock Mayor
Jim Dailey |
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS. Government partnership to end chronic homelessness
was in evidence on August 26 as Mayors of Little Rock, North Little
Rock, and Jacksonville, Arkansas, gathered to unveil their new Central
Arkansas Plan to End Chronic Homelessness. Joining Little Rock Mayor
Jim Dailey, North Little Rock Mayor Patrick Hayes, and Jacksonville
Mayor Tommy Swaim was United States Interagency Council on Homelessness
Executive Director Philip Mangano.
"I
am pleased to join these three Mayors here today. In order to
fully address the issue of chronic homelessness, we must look
beyond the limits of a single city and approach it as a region.
This plan puts performance, outcomes, and accountability to work
for homeless people, not to serve them in place, but to insure
they have a place to live," stated Director Mangano.
Central
Arkansas Team Care for the Homeless, a consortium of area providers
which was the first entity to endorse the plan, was represented
by its President Doris Williams Turner. Also joining in the event
were Council Region VI Coordinator Sally Shipman, HUD Acting
Field Office Director Alice Rufus, Little Rock HUD CPD Director
James Slater, Little Rock City Director Joan Adcock; and Little
Rock Housing and Community Development Director Andre Bernard.
Mayor
Dailey also announced the members of the steering committee charged
with devising strategies to implement the 10-Year Plan to End
Chronic Homelessness. The Co-Chairs are Barry McDaniel of Our
House, Inc., and Estella Morris of the Central Arkansas Veterans
Healthcare System. Members include Arkansas Coalition Against
Domestic Violence; St. Francis House; Colliers Dickson Flake
Partners; Union Rescue Mission; Little Rock Community Mental
Health; Department of Health and Human Services; Salvation Army;
and North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce. Other members are:
Little Rock Police Department; Little Rock Workforce Investment
Board; Arkansas Food Bank; Downtown Partnership; Hoover United
Methodist Church; Quapaw Quarter United Methodist Church; Arkansas
Supportive Housing Network; and River City Ministry.
Alabama Governor
Riley Creates State Interagency Council Focused on Partnership
and Results
 BIRMINGHAM,
ALABAMA. The YWCA of Central Alabama was the site
of the signing of Executive
Order #31 by Alabama Governor Bob Riley on August 11,
as he created the state's new Interagency Council on Homelessness.
The Council, which will be chaired by the Governor's Office
of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives headed by Executive
Director Terry Hasdorff, will develop an action plan to end
chronic homelessness within 10 years, coordinate state agencies'
services, and submit an annual accountability report outlining
its accomplishments toward preventing and ending chronic
homelessness in the state. The council is modeled after the
federal Interagency Council on Homelessness. United States
Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip
Mangano and Alabama Alliance to End Homelessness President
Brenda Durham joined Governor Riley for the event.
"Multiple
state agencies currently bear some responsibility of serving
the homeless and those who are at risk of becoming homeless.
Addressing this problem requires collaboration among these agencies,
and I believe Alabama's faith-based organizations, national service
programs and charitable community groups can be effective partners
in bringing compassion and hope to these people in such need," the
Governor said.
Stated
Director Mangano, "This new Executive Order creates one of the
most expansive and mission- oriented councils in our country.
No state order has a more comprehensive involvement of every
level of government or a more strategic approach to planning.
In the breadth of the partnership envisioned, including federal,
state, local, business, philanthropic, non-profit and faith-based
partners, this Executive Order sets a new standard of collaboration
and intent." Alabama's action brings to 53 the number of Governors
of states and territories who have moved to create State Interagency
Councils on Homelessness with the encouragement of the United
States Interagency Council on Homelessness.
YWCA
President Sheryl Kimerling welcomed over 80 people who attended
the event, including United States Department of Housing and
Urban Development Regional Director and former Augusta Mayor
Bob Young, Tuscaloosa Mayor Alvin DuPont, and Homewood Mayor
Barry McCulley.
Alabama Governor
Riley Creates State Interagency Council Focused on Partnership and
Results
BIRMINGHAM,
ALABAMA. The YWCA of Central Alabama was the site of
the signing of Executive
Order #31 by Alabama Governor Bob Riley on August 11, as he
created the state's new Interagency Council on Homelessness. The
Council, which will be chaired by the Governor's Office of Faith-Based
and Community Initiatives headed by Executive Director Terry Hasdorff,
will develop an action plan to end chronic homelessness within 10
years, coordinate state agencies' services, and submit an annual
accountability report outlining its accomplishments toward preventing
and ending chronic homelessness in the state. The council is modeled
after the federal Interagency Council on Homelessness. United States
Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano
and Alabama Alliance to End Homelessness President Brenda Durham
joined Governor Riley for the event.
"Multiple
state agencies currently bear some responsibility of serving the
homeless and those who are at risk of becoming homeless. Addressing
this problem requires collaboration among these agencies, and I
believe Alabama's faith-based organizations, national service programs
and charitable community groups can be effective partners in bringing
compassion and hope to these people in such need," the Governor
said.
Stated
Director Mangano, "This new Executive Order creates one of the most
expansive and mission- oriented councils in our country. No state
order has a more comprehensive involvement of every level of government
or a more strategic approach to planning. In the breadth of the
partnership envisioned, including federal, state, local, business,
philanthropic, non-profit and faith-based partners, this Executive
Order sets a new standard of collaboration and intent." Alabama's
action brings to 53 the number of Governors of states and territories
who have moved to create State Interagency Councils on Homelessness
with the encouragement of the United States Interagency Council
on Homelessness.
YWCA
President Sheryl Kimerling welcomed over 80 people who attended
the event, inc |
