WASHINGTON, DC. January 27, 2005 - Under a proposed policy announced by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) yesterday, the Department, forwarding both the Administration's goal of ending chronic homelessness and responding to the needs of communities, will, for the first time, permit federal surplus property under the McKinney-Vento Title V program to be used for permanent supportive housing. Speaking to the Winter Meeting of the United States Conference of Mayors in Washington, DC, HHS Deputy Secretary Alex Azar announced that local governments and community groups will soon be able to use federal surplus property for permanent supportive housing, provided in conjunction with services that address mental and physical disabilities, substance use problems, and co-occurring mental and substance use disorders of individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness.

"This . . .will go a long way in continuing the Administration's compassionate efforts to provide supportive housing for some of our most vulnerable populations," said Deputy Secretary Azar. The proposed policy change was published in the Federal Register January 26 for a comment period ending February 27, 2006.

Council Executive Director Philip Mangano, commenting on the announcement, heralded the work of HHS staff in forwarding the change, noting, "As someone who across a period of 15 years has directed homeless services for a city, provided services to homeless people, acted as an advocate on policy, and now works in the federal government, I can say that this policy change should be seen as a signature element of this Administration's commitment to meeting the housing needs of the most disabled homeless people, and an affirmation of the expectation that we will examine and change policy so that we can better meet our goal of ending chronic homelessness."

Under the Title V program, permanent supportive housing is defined as programs that provide long- term, community-based housing that is linked to appropriate supportive health and social services (e.g., substance abuse, mental health, case management, and disabled and frail elderly services) that enable homeless individuals and homeless families with disabilities to maintain housing. Eligible populations for this program include homeless individuals with disabilities, homeless families with a disabled family member (either parent or child), and homeless frail elderly populations.

The policy change would not preclude communities from using surplus property to develop transitional programs, emergency shelter programs, or any other homeless assistance program currently approvable by HHS, but simply expands the options available under Title V. The same evaluation criteria will continue to apply to all applications received for consideration under Title V, including those requesting property to be used for permanent supportive housing. Applicants must fully describe the proposed program, demonstrate how the services to be provided will address the needs of the homeless population to be served, and otherwise comply with the requirements of Title V and the joint agency regulation.

More information about the Title V program is available from the web sites of the United States Departments of Housing and Urban Development ( http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/homeless/programs/t 5/index.cfm) and Health and Human Services (http://www.psc.gov/aos/federalprop/titleV.html).