WASHINGTON, DC. The United States Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Office of Community Services has announced funding for the Assets for Independence Demonstration Program, which assists low-income people in becoming economically self-sufficient by teaching project participants about economic and consumer issues and enabling them to establish matched savings accounts (Individual Development Accounts (IDA) to save for a first home, a business, or higher education.

While applicants may submit applications at any time throughout the year, OCS will review and make funding decisions about applications submitted by any of three due dates: March 15, June 15 and November 1. OCS has identified $18,000,000 for funding and expects an award of 50 to 60 grants. The ceiling on one individual award is $1,000,000. Eligible applicants include state governments; county governments; city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; state controlled institutions of higher education; Native American tribal governments (federally recognized); Public Housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments); and Non-profits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education. Both Faith and Community-based organizations having 501(c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service are also eligible to apply.

The OCS Asset Building Web site includes information about the AFI Program and presents a number of ideas and suggestions for developing and managing an AFI Project. In particular, it includes downloadable text of the AFI Act and a synopsis of grantee responsibilities imposed by the Act, as well as a downloadable guidebook, The AFI Project Builder that covers many topics and includes suggestions and best practices for planning, starting and implementing an AFI Project. Applicants can visit the website to obtain more in-depth information regarding the requirements for applying for and implementing an AFI Project. The February 9 Federal Register provides full background on the Assets for Independence initiative, enumerates additional eligibility information and cost match/sharing requirements, and summarizes the content and form for application submission.

BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA. North Dakota, which last summer became the 49th state to commit to the creation of a state interagency council on homelessness, this week convened the inaugural meeting of the new entity at the State Capitol Building. "Taking care of our most needy citizens is one of our fundamental obligations," stated Governor John Hoeven as the Council convened to conduct its work which is to result in a comprehensive results- oriented business plan for ending chronic homelessness. United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano, invited to address the inaugural meeting, told Council members, "The Governor's commitment to a state interagency council will accelerate partnership and results for homeless people in this state." Department of Housing and Urban Development Regional Director John Carson presented Governor Hoeven with a check for the state's recent $1.3 million award in homeless funds.

The Council's business included hearing from Legal Counsel and Senior Policy Advisor Duane Houdek, who summarized the Council's functions, and Statewide Continuum of Care Project Coordinator Mary Magnusson, who provided an overview of North Dakota's homeless population. ND Department of Commerce Program Administrator and ND Policy Academy Team Co-leader Tran Doan described state initiatives to date. The new Council has duties ranging from coordination of state policy to identification of effective collaborative strategies and best practices, as well as recommendations to state agencies on effective distribution of resources. Council membership includes representatives of the Governor's office, Directors of ND Departments of Human Services, Corrections, Job Services, Community Services, and Public Instruction; Mayors of Cass, Grand Forks, and Burliegh; Indian Affairs Commission; and Housing Finance Agency.

CARSON CITY, NEVADA. Noting that "effectively addressing homelessness requires collaboration among state agencies, local governments, the private sector, and service provider networks," Nevada's newly signed Executive Order creating the Nevada Interagency Council on Homelessness this week charted a course for the state to form a partnership of business, federal, state, and local government, and non-profits to meet the needs of the state's homeless population. Governor Kenny Guinn, who will appoint the Council's membership, signed the order which was unveiled on President's Day at the Nevada State Legislative Building in Carson City.

United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano, who met with Governor Guinn to discuss the Council's work, was invited to address the gathering. In addition, the Nevada State Assembly's Committee on Health and Human Services convened to examine the state's homeless census, consider the establishment of a homeless court, and study the possibility of revising requirements to increase access for homeless persons to obtain identification cards and driver's licenses in order to secure employment. Council Region IX Coordinator Eduardo Cabrera also participated. Pictured here is Director Mangano at the Committee hearing, with Deputy Chief of Staff Lisa Foster of Governor Guinn's office.

NEW YORK CITY. Proven strategies to end street deaths pf persons experiencing chronic homelessness were the focus of an innovators' session convened in New York City last week, with designees of nineteen mayors across the country gathering to examine data, strategies, and best practices. Mayors of each of the cities represented are signatories to the Mayoral Covenant of Partnership to End Chronic Homelessness, executed at last month's U.S Conference of Mayors meeting. Forty-eight mayors have signed the Covenant. The New York gathering was the first to build on that momentum by focusing on an urgent and timely topic at the height of winter weather.

Convened by the Common Ground Community and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness at Common Ground's Times Square Hotel supportive housing site, the cities heard from expert faculty including Dr. Dennis Culhane of the University of Pennsylvania, who addressed the role of methodology in tracking deaths, and Dr. James O'Connell of Boston Health Care for the Homeless, who described his program's long-term tracking of its most vulnerable clients. Bringing a city perspective were Ricardo Gonazales of the City of Miami, and Rob Hess of the City of Philadelphia, who presented his city's "Code Blue" protocol, who has resulted in no winter deaths among the street homeless population in three years.

Philadelphia's Code Blue Winter Plan, which is updated annually, is presented at the city's Winter Initiative Training each fall. It identifies responsible planning parties in city agencies, an initial assessment of need and resource availability, as well as procedures, agency roles, and responsibilities of participating entities, The process for accessing shelter directly from outreach and calling a Code Blue status are also outlined. Key aspects of Philadelphia's strategy include providing shelter on demand and year-round, 24-7 outreach, relying on a measurable, results- oriented approach, and engaging the public to support the effort.

WITH THIS ISSUE, the e-newsletter continues its focus on elements of the Title V federal surplus property and opportunities to secure resources for homeless programs under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Following are properties listed in the most recent Federal Register notice of suitable and available land and buildings.

The February 18 listing of suitable and available property contains a listing of Federal buildings and other real property determined to be suitable and available for use. Buildings are available in Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia. Land is available in Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.

Title V provides that state and local governments, as well as nonprofit organizations, are eligible to apply for land and buildings that have been determined by the federal government to be "suitable and available" for eligible uses to benefit homeless people. More than two dozen agencies of the federal government are included as "landholding" agencies that may have property.

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH. Utah's new Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr., is showing how continuity of commitment supports state planning to end chronic homelessness. While in the Rocky Mountains, United States Interagency Council Executive Director Philip Mangano met with the recently inaugurated Governor Huntsman, whose State Business Plan is in implementation. Utah's Homeless Coordinating Committee (HCC), refocused in 2003 with new appointments and responsibility to implement the Business Plan, is moving forward with its responsibilities that include clearly defining needed legislation and responsibilities of all government partners, as well as implementing the Plan's detailed action steps to end chronic homelessness by 2014. Implementation steps will include coordination and establishment of outcome measures to determine the effectiveness of resource utilization, establishment of funding priorities and an effective statewide Homeless Management Information System, and additional investment from all levels of government and the private sector.

Collaboration and partnership are also strong themes in the Business Plan, which has built interagency and inter-jurisdictional partnership with cities and counties into its strategy, designing committees that will link key systems as well as produce action plans and identify best practices in key areas of effort.

Director Mangano is pictured here at right with Governor Huntsman (center) and Utah Housing and Community Development Director Gordon Walker.