WASHINGTON, DC. Stating that the "2007 Budget continues the Administration's commitment to end chronic homelessness," the Bush Administration today announced an unprecedented sixth consecutive year of increased funding for targeted federal programs serving persons who are homeless, proposing an overall 6.7% increase in targeted programs across a range of federal agencies for an FY 07 total of a record $4.157 billion in targeted assistance. The President continues the commitment to the Samaritan Initiative, proposing up to $200 million at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), part of an overall 13% increase in HUD's homeless funding request, which totals $1.5 billion for FY 07.

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD). As a essential element of the Administration's response to homelessness, the President has proposed that HUD, under the leadership of Secretary and current Council Chair Alphonso Jackson, receive record resources for the HUD homeless programs, including up to $200 million in the Samaritan Housing Initiative for persons experiencing chronic homelessness. Overall HUD McKinney-Vento homeless spending is proposed at a total of $1.5 billion. The HUD homeless budget also includes up to $25 million in a request for the multi-agency Prisoner Reentry Initiative with the Departments of Labor and Justice.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (HHS). The Administration proposes funding in several HHS programs that will support homelessness prevention and intervention efforts. Health Care for the Homeless Programs are proposed at $170 million, a 12.6% increase within the expansion proposed for Health Centers, as the President continues his commitment to create and expand center sites. Increases are proposed for two other key programs, which, while not targeted homelessness programs, have importance for prevention and capacity- building. The FY 07 budget seeks $98 million for 20 states under the Access to Recovery substance abuse treatment voucher program. In addition, $100 million is proposed for the Compassion Capital Fund to advance the efforts of community-based charitable organizations, including faith based organizations, by enhancing their ability to provide social services, expand their organizations, diversify their funding, and create collaborations to serve those in need.

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (VA). Continuing to demonstrate and support special concern for the nation's veterans who experience homelessness, the President's budget proposes that the Department of Veterans Affairs, under the leadership of Secretary and former Interagency Council Chair R. James Nicholson, receive a 17% increase for the VA Grant and Per Diem program, as well as increases in the Compensated Work Therapy and VA Medical Care programs. These programs have a demonstrated record of vital services and support to homeless veterans.

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL). For FY 07, $60 million is requested for the Prisoner Reentry Initiative to help individuals leaving prison make a successful transition to community life and long term employment. The Reentry Initiative teams Federal agencies with faith-based and community organizations to help recently released prisoners make a successful transition and is a collaborative effort of the Departments of Labor, Justice, and Housing and Urban Development.

U.S. INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON HOMELESSNESS (USICH). Noting that "[through] efforts of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, the Administration's initiative to end chronic homelessness has gained traction in communities large and small across the country," the President has proposed a 12% funding increase for the Council for FY 07. The Council was revitalized in 2002 to coordinate the federal response to homelessness and create the national partnership to forward the Administration's commitment to end chronic homelessness through interagency, intergovernmental, intragovernmental, and intercommunity partnerships, particularly in fostering relationships with Governors and Mayors to create jurisdictional 10-Year Plans to end chronic homelessness. As of February 1, 2006, there are 53 Governors of State and territories that have taken steps to establish State Interagency Councils on Homelessness and 208 mayors and county executives that have committed to jurisdictional 10-year planning processes to end chronic homelessness.

"In a difficult budget season, the Administration has once again increased targeted resources for homeless people. There is no question that the increase is directly related to the quantifiable results that are being achieved on the streets of our nation through the national partnership of cities, counties, and states implementing 10-year plans," stated Council Executive Director Philip Mangano.

Pictured here is the full Council meeting of September 13, 2005, with VA Secretary and outgoing Council Chair R. James Nicholson at left, HUD Secretary and current Council Chair Alphonso Jackson at center, and Council Director Mangano at right.