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The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness e-newsletter |
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Partners In a Vision
This week brought good news from Washington for efforts to prevent and end homelessness. As reported in the Special Edition of the e-news earlier this week, President Bush's FY 2008 budget released on Monday would increase funding for targeted homeless assistance programs to record levels for the seventh consecutive year, if approved by Congress. Among the targeted homeless assistance programs that would receive increased funding over the FY 2007 level included in the final Continuing Resolution passed by the House of Representatives last week and awaiting Senate approval are:
The FY 2007 Continuing Resolution passed by the House last week and being considered this week by the Senate would fund most federal programs through the end of FY 2007 at the FY 2006 level with some exceptions. Several programs that serve to prevent and end homelessness, including Homeless Assistance Grants, Community Health Centers, and Section 8 and public housing are among those exceptions and would receive increases above the FY 2006 level. 
DENVER, COLORADO. Homeless veterans in 30 cities around the nation will benefit from a new federal initiative to more closely integrate treatment for substance abuse and mental health conditions. On a visit to Denver, Colorado last week for a ribbon cutting ceremony with Mayor John Hickenlooper for a new VA-funded transitional housing project for homeless veterans at Denver C.A.R.E.S, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary James Nicholson (pictured here) joined by White House Director of National Drug Control Policy John Walters announced that the VA will be placing 30 substance abuse counselors in cities including Denver to provide counseling to homeless veterans at homeless provider sites. The other cities receiving counselors are: Albuquerque, NM; Atlanta, GA; Baltimore, MD; Boston, MA; Chicago, IL; Cincinnati and Cleveland, OH; Columbia, SC; Dallas and Houston, TX: Detroit, MI; Gainesville, FL; Indianapolis, IN; Iowa City, IA; Las Vegas, NV; Little Rock, AR; Long Beach, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, CA; Memphis, TN; Miami, FL; Milwaukee, WI; Montrose and Syracuse, NY; Philadelphia, PA; Portland, OR; Salisbury, NC; St. Louis, MO and West Haven, CT. In making the announcement, Secretary Nicholson said, "By partnering with cities like Denver, and its community and faith based service providers, we are making progress in fighting veteran homelessness across the nation." He added, " Helping these veterans get off the streets and become substance free so they may successfully return to independent living in their communities is a priority." National Drug Policy Director Walters called the initiative "critical outreach on the part of Veterans Affairs", noting that "with proper diagnosis and intervention, the disease of addiction is treatable, as with other chronic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, and asthma. By implementing onsite counseling at transitional facilities, we help recovering vets get one step closer to being back on their feet." The effort is consistent with the recommendations of the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health, which called for more integration between mental health and substance abuse treatment to create a more recovery oriented mental health system.
Historic Agreement Between VA and City of New York Yields Housing Results for Homeless Veterans Fifty-five homeless veterans are out of shelters and into supportive housing or long term residential rehabilitation beds in the first 45 days of a 100 day initiative that is part of an historic agreement between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the City of New York to end veteran homelessness in the city. On December 21, VA Secretary Jim Nicholson joined NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg and NYC Department of Homeless Services Commissioner Rob Hess to announce an agreement under which the city pledged to place 100 veterans from within the existing men's emergency shelter system into permanent housing in 100 days during which time the City and the VA would also convene a Task Force to develop and report a strategic plan to end veteran homelessness in the city. The 24-member Task Force, which includes several City Commissioners, VA and HUD officials, and leaders of national organizations including Veterans Service Organizations, is developing the protocols and standards for new joint VA-New York City street outreach teams, and a joint VA-City homeless intake center that will be for the exclusive use of veterans. The VA also committed to providing additional health care, and mental health and substance abuse treatment for eligible veterans in permanent and supportive housing. The 100 veterans housed in 100 days initiative, known as Project Home, is securing housing for veterans currently in the shelter system using a wide variety of resources, including supportive housing, private housing, family reunification, and long term residential treatment beds. Of the first 55 veterans assisted, most were placed in supportive housing, 6 placements were to residential rehab, and 1 was reunited with family. The City is funding the placements by reinvesting resources from the emergency shelter system.
MIDDLETOWN, CONNECTICUT. With fellow elected officials from the towns of Portland, Essex, and Old Saybrook and leaders of the business, academic, and faith based communities at his side, Middletown, Connecticut Mayor Sebastian N. Guiliano announced plans to develop a 10-Year Plan "to eliminate homelessness and near homelessness in Middlesex County." United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano, accompanied by Council Regional Coordinator John O'Brien, joined Mayor Guiliano and community leaders at a press conference held in the City Council Chambers with a capacity crowd on January 30th. Mayor Guiliano, Middlesex Chamber of Commerce President Larry McHugh, and Middlesex United Way Executive Director Kevin Wilhelm will co-chair a Leadership Council that will complete development of a plan in six months. The Leadership Council includes members of the faith community, local hospitals, business, the Presidents of Wesleyan University and Middlesex Community College, and Portland First Selectwoman Susan Bransfield, Old Saybrook First Selectman Michael Pace, and Essex First Selectman Philip Miller. "Leaders from throughout Middlesex County are supporting the effort to provide decent, affordable, and supportive housing to people in our communities. The cornerstone of that effort is the creation of a 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness," said Mayor Guiliano, encouraging everyone to ask themselves "What difference can I make?" Council Director Mangano who was introduced by United Way Executive Director Wilhelm following remarks by the Leadership Committee co-chairs and Bishop Cote, described the Committee membership as being "as strong as any in the nation- the right combination to get the job done, expansive and inclusive." He commended the community for "joining a National mindset that is no longer content simply to fund programs that serve homeless people endlessly, but instead invests in the result of abolishing the unhealthy and expensive disgrace of homelessness from your streets, your neighborhood, and your community." At the press conference, Mayor Guiliano announced that an Executive Committee will be formed to work out the plan details whose goals include:
Pictured here, top, is Mayor Guiliano speaking to government, civic, and nonprofit leaders gathered at the press conference. Middle, Director Mangano conferring with Mayor Guiliano. Bottom, l-r, State Senator Paul Doyle, Middlesex Chamber of Commerce President Larry McHugh, Mayor Giuliano, Director Mangano, Bishop Michael Cote, Region 1 Department of Housing and Urban Development Director Taylor Caswell, and Middlesex United Way Director Kevin Wilhelm.
SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA. Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty's FY 2008-2009 budget proposes significant increases in funding to continue implementation of the state's Business Plan to End Long Term Homelessness and to prevent homelessness. Since 2004 the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA), the Department of Human Services, and the Department of Corrections have collaborated to implement the Business Plan that calls for strengthening homeless prevention activities and providing permanent supportive housing to an additional 4,000 long term homeless households by 2010. During 2004-2006, 1,091 supportive housing opportunities were created exceeding the goal for that period by almost 10%. As noted in the budget documents, "Each of the three agencies assists in funding with some aspects of the systems of supportive housing and prevention services; none of the agencies do it all." Minnesota Housing Finance Agency The Governor's budget proposes an overall 62% increase in general fund appropriations for the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency including "a $15 million increase to enhance efforts to prevent homelessness, provide rental assistance for the mentally ill and extremely low income households, and continue successful implementation of the Business Plan to End Long Term Homelessness."
Department of Human Services,
Department of Corrections,
ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA. Jurisdictional leadership has been identified by the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness as one of the fundamental elements of successful 10-Year Plan efforts that are demonstrating results in reducing the number of persons living on the streets and long term in shelters. The importance of such jurisdictional leadership was demonstrated this month when St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker responded to recent events that had highlighted the needs of homeless people living on the streets in St. Petersburg and the concerns of the community. Mayor Baker reached out to city and county officials, business and community leaders to move decisively in creating a 5-point initiative identifying near term and long term objectives that accelerate implementation of the Pinellas County 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness. "The homeless issues facing communities across this country are complicated," said Mayor Baker. "To make a significant impact, we need to bring everyone together to the table from all levels of government and the community. Through the county's 10-Year Plan and our efforts to help them, that is exactly what we are doing." At a media availability on January 30, Mayor Baker, Pinellas County Commission Chair Ronnie Duncan, and City Council Vice Chair Jamie Bennett were joined by business and community leaders and Council Regional Coordinator Michael German as they announced the 5-point initiative and a $500,000 challenge grant from retired corporate CEO Harry C. Stonecipher to help support it. Since then, the St. Petersburg City Council has approved $150,000 in additional city funding and $50,000 has been pledged by local philanthropists Frances and Gus Stavros. The 5-point initiative includes:
St. Petersburg Council member Bennett who is also vice chair of the Homeless Leadership Network, noted the 5-point initiative "is a way of drawing additional resources to accelerate the efforts to accomplish the objectives set forth in the county's 10-Year Plan." On Friday, the 5-point initiative was endorsed by the Leadership Network. Pictured here, top, l-r, Mayor Baker, Frank Murphy of Catholic Charities, John Long of the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, Nancy Loehr of Progress Energy Florida, State Representative Bill Heller, and Ford Kyes of the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce. Speaking at the media availability, Council Regional Coordinator German (pictured bottom), said, " All the ingredients are in place. You've got everybody joined together to implement a successful strategy."
The release of President Bush's FY 2008 budget this week focused attention on federal funding of programs that provide resources to states, cities, non profit and faith based organizations to assist the homeless obtain housing, medical and behavioral health resources, employment assistance, and other services. Equally important though are the mainstream entitlement programs which can offer resources directly to the homeless and at risk of homelessness consumer, including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), food stamps, and SSI benefits. Successful 10-Year Plan efforts maximize both the effective utilization of program resources and the opportunity to increase access by homeless and at risk of homelessness families and individuals to mainstream entitlement resources for which they qualify. The federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) enacted in 1975 is one of the mainstream entitlement resources which provides the consumer with income that is critical to sustaining long term housing and service initiatives. For low income working persons and families, including those experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, EITC can provide important financial resources that does not affect eligibility for low income housing, TANF, Medicaid, SSI, or food stamps. For those who qualify, the Earned Income Tax Credit provides a return of some or all of the federal tax that was withheld from their paychecks during the year and in some cases, the EITC payment can exceed the amount of tax paid. An Advanced EITC option is available to qualifying workers with children which reduces the amount of tax withheld from each paycheck throughout the year. Recently the Internal Revenue Service announced that beginning this year, the IRS will offer a "split refund option" which would allow taxpayers including EITC recipients to choose up to three financial accounts into which the refund can be deposited to encourage savings. For the federal EITC, qualifying taxpayers with 2 or more children can receive up to $4,536 and with one child, up to $2,747 for the 2006 tax year. Twenty states have adopted a state version of the EITC generally based on a percentage of the federal EITC as have some cities. In his recent State of the City Address, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced that the city would be sending forms for signature to about 120,000 households who were eligible for City, State and Federal Earned Income Tax Credits in 2003 and 2004 but who had never claimed them. The Mayor noted that the average household on that list was due well over $1000 "Now they will simply have to sign the forms, mail them in and get ready to receive money they've already earned. For working families with children, that money is going to make a huge difference in helping them get ahead and it's money that will be spent in their local communities, thereby helping local businesses, as well. By the way, this will generate more in sales tax revenue for the city than our share of the EITC expense," said the Mayor. The IRS has estimated that as many as 25 percent of eligible taxpayers fail to claim this tax credit. To assist taxpayers and tax preparers, the Internal Revenue Service has created EITC Assistant, an interactive tool accessible on its website to answer questions about eligibility, filing status, qualifying children, and credit amount. The EITC Assistant also is available in Spanish. Trained volunteers are available through a partnership between the IRS and numerous non profit and community groups at thousands of free tax preparation sites across the country. To view a fact sheet about these sites, click here. To view a fact sheet on EITC eligibility rules, click here. To access a copy of IRS Pub 596, Earned Income Tax Credit, click here. Another useful source of information is a toolkit for municipal leaders, entitled Maximizing the Earned Income Tax Credit for Your Community, prepared by the National League of Cities Institute for Youth, Education, and Families. Through National Project Homeless Connect, the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness has encouraged federal partners including the U.S. Departments of Agriculture (food stamps), Housing and Urban Development, Veterans Affairs, Social Security Administration, and the Internal Revenue Service to participate in local Connect events to provide eligibility information and benefit application assistance. Communities preparing to hold Connect events are encouraged to include local office representatives of federal agencies in the planning process to ensure onsite access to these consumer oriented entitlement resources. The Council's Regional Coordinators are available to assist with this effort.
WITH THIS ISSUE, the e-news presents information on the Title V federal surplus property program and the opportunity to secure resources - including for permanent supportive housing - under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act for persons experiencing homelessness. Also included below is a brief review of resources available online regarding opportunities presented by base closures and reuse. The February 2, 2007 Federal Register listing of "suitable and available" Title V properties includes two buildings in Alaska. In a change to federal policy which became effective September 1, 2006, local governments and eligible community organizations may submit applications to acquire Title V surplus properties for permanent supportive housing for homeless individuals and families. The new regulation defines permanent supportive housing as housing that is "long term, affordable, community based, and linked to appropriate supportive health and social services that enable homeless individuals and families with disabilities to maintain housing." Any existing grantees or lessees interested in changing current program activity to include permanent supportive housing are requested to provide a written expression of interest to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at the Division of Property Management, Administrative Operations Service, Program Support Center Room 5B-17, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 28457. Property including land and buildings newly identified as "suitable and available" to assist the homeless are listed each Friday in the Federal Register and are available exclusively to applicants for homeless use for a period of 60 days from the date of the Notice. Applicants for these federal surplus properties must identify how they intend to utilize the property to meet the needs of homeless persons in their communities. Visit the Council's website at www.usich.gov and click on the funding tab to view the latest listing each week. BRAC Local homeless planning partners will also be interested in the opportunities presented by the base reuse and closure process. The Base Closure Community Redevelopment and Homeless Assistance Act (1994 Base Closure Act) requires consideration of the needs of persons experiencing homelessness during the redevelopment process. The Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment maintains a web site listing resources that can assist a variety of community partners in understanding and participating in the process, including accommodations to the needs of homeless people in the community. Under the 1994 Base Closure Community Redevelopment and Homeless Assistance Act, DOD, in a joint process with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), also plays a role in the community's base reuse planning process and future homeless assistance. For non-profit providers in communities affected by Base Reuse and Closure activities (BRAC), the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty has developed a toolkit for non profits which can be accessed on their website.
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email: ichnews@setechnology.com
web: http://www.usich.gov
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