WASHINGTON, DC. Indicating that "the 2008 Budget continues the Administration's commitment to end chronic homelessness by creating new supportive housing options for these individuals," the Bush Administration has proposed an unprecedented seventh consecutive year of increased funding for targeted federal programs serving persons who are homeless. The President's FY 2008 record budget of $4.47 billion in targeted assistance for homeless programs across a range of federal agencies represents more than a 6% increase above the funding level in the FY 2007 Continuing Resolution passed by the House of Representatives last week and awaiting final Senate action. Among the increases in the FY 2008 Budget are:

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD). The FY 2008 Budget seeks $1.586 billion for HUD's homeless programs, which represents a $145 million increase over the FY 2007 Continuing Resolution level. HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson is the Cabinet Secretary who presently serves as Council Chair. The increase includes $25 million for Reintegration of Ex-Offenders, involving the Departments of Justice, Labor, and Housing and Urban Development, to help individuals exiting prison make a successful transition to community life and long-term employment.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (HHS). The Budget proposes 40 new Health Center sites in high poverty counties in addition to the over 300 new and expanded sites proposed in the 2007 Budget. The Health Centers' account also includes an increase estimated at more than 17% for Health Care for the Homeless Programs. $98 million is proposed in the Access to Recovery program for 20 competitive grants to provide treatment services to more than 55,000 individuals. The Budget triples drug court grants to help break the cycle of drug use and incarceration by combining the sanctioning power of courts with effective treatment services. $75 million is proposed for the Compassion Capital Fund to provide training for capacity-building and technical assistance for grassroots faith-based and community- based organizations.

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (VA). The President's Budget includes a proposed 14% spending increase for the VA Grant and Per Diem program, a 4% increase in the VA Compensated Work Therapy program, and an estimated 5% increase in the use of medical care resources for homeless veterans. The Budget also recognizes the increased need for mental health care services and provides a total investment of $3 billion to afford a full spectrum of care for those veterans with mental health issues.

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL). The Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) is proposed for an 8% increase. Awards enable grantees to operate employment programs to reach out to homeless veterans and help them become employed.

U.S. INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON HOMELESSNESS (USICH). The Budget notes progress in the Administration's goal of ending chronic homelessness: "Across the country, local leaders and nonprofit organizations have embraced this goal with over 200 jurisdictions committing to 10-Year Plans to end chronic homelessness. A number of the jurisdictions that have implemented their plans are seeing steady decreases in the number of chronic homeless individuals on their streets and in shelters." The Budget seeks to extend the Council's work to assist States, Cities, and Counties through a proposed reauthorization of the Council through 2012.

"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 this Administration with Governors, Mayors, County Executives, and the private sector in implementing results-oriented 10-Year Plans," stated Council Executive Director Philip Mangano.

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