WASHINGTON, D.C. The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program administered by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) was reauthorized in February when President George W. Bush signed the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. The legislation continues the progress of welfare reform begun in 1996.

"Welfare reform is helping millions of people climb out of poverty," said HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt (pictured here). "Now, we want to go the next step and help them climb the job ladder by creating more opportunities for education and job training."

On August 22, 1996, "The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996" (PRWORA) became law. This comprehensive, bipartisan legislation changed the nation's welfare system into one requiring work in exchange for time- limited assistance. It created the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, which replaced the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), Emergency Assistance (EA), and Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training (JOBS) programs. PRWORA has provided states with great flexibility in designing individual state TANF programs.

States may use TANF funds in any manner "reasonably calculated to accomplish the purposes of TANF." The purposes are: assisting needy families so that children can be cared for in their own homes; reducing dependency of needy parents by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage; preventing out-of-wedlock pregnancies, and encouraging the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.

The new law effects changes that re-implement a state work participation rate requirement as envisioned by the architects of welfare reform. The reauthorization also includes $150 million to support programs designed to help couples form and sustain healthy marriages, and to promote responsible fatherhood.

The Healthy Marriage Initiative, administered by ACF, was created in 2002 by President Bush to help couples who have chosen marriage gain greater access to marriage education services where, on a voluntary basis, they can acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to form and sustain a healthy marriage. Funding for responsible fatherhood includes initiatives to help men be more committed, involved, and responsible fathers.

WASHINGTON, D.C. The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced a forthcoming $100 million loan guarantee program for transitional multifamily housing specifically dedicated to serving homeless and formerly homeless veterans. VA anticipates issuing a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the program in 2006.

During the initial pilot phase of this program, VA will provide a 100 percent guarantee on up to fifteen mortgage loans funded by the Federal Finance Bank, an arm of the United States Treasury, to be used for the development, rehabilitation, or acquisition of transitional multifamily housing with the provision of supportive services for homeless and formerly homeless veterans. Loans are to be made in those communities that have the greatest need for such housing.

VA will deliver program funds as either combination construction and permanent guaranteed loans or permanent guaranteed loans. In most cases, VA-guaranteed loan amounts will fund less than 80 percent of total project costs. State or local governments or non-government entities must provide additional funding or substantial services.

Pictured here at the September 2005 Full Council meeting of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness are United States Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary and former Council Chair James R. Nicholson (center), United States Housing and Urban Development Secretary and Council Chair Alphonso Jackson (second from right), Council Executive Director Philip Mangano (far right), and United Stated Department of Labor Assistant Secretary for the Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) Charles S. (Chick) Ciccolella (far left).

Any organization interested in obtaining information about this funding opportunity should call 202-273-7462 or email Multifamily.Loan@va.gov. A summary of the legislation authorizing this program can be found on the VA program website.

WARREN, OHIO. The City of Warren and Trumbull County, Ohio released their joint Blueprint to End Homelessness: A Ten Year Plan 2006 to 2016 at a press event attended by 75 people in Warren on February 28. The Plan, which has the endorsement of both the City of Warren and Trumbull County, calls for "a permanent, safe, decent and affordable place to call home" for all persons and families experiencing the possibility of homelessness in Trumbull County.

The Plan was developed by the Blueprint to End Homelessness Advisory Committee, which was made up of City and County government representatives and community leaders. The Plan calls for both a focus on preventing homelessness and engaging and moving into permanent housing those who are currently homeless through the use of the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team Model and the rapid re-housing of those who are or become homeless using the Housing First model. The Plan also calls for a coordinated cost benefit analysis to track both costs of services and savings as a result of plan implementation. Also planned is the hiring of a Homeless Services Coordinator to coordinate all programs and services in the county, including provision of a "one stop" system for people experiencing homelessness. The estimated cost of the Plan is $1 million.

Warren, Ohio Mayor Michael O'Brien, Girard Mayor James Melfi, Trumbull County Commissioner Daniel Polivka, and Trumbull County Planning Commission Director Alan Knapp were on hand to support the Blueprint's release.

Representing the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness were Regional Coordinators Daryl Nernandez and John O'Brien. Stated O'Brien, "This Plan has all the elements you would look for - prevention, better coordination and collaboration among providers, permanent supportive housing, and a cost benefit study. It was an inclusive community process. It is endorsed by city and county government leadership. Most importantly, the Plan will bring new hope and opportunity into the lives of those experiencing homelessness in Warren and Trumbull County."

Warren Community Development Department Program Coordinator Janet Musolf, Emmanuel Care Community Center Executive Director and Trumbull County Housing Collaborative Chair Sr. Jean Orsuto, and Trumbull County Dirctor Tammy Weaver facilitated the plan development process.

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI. 76 people who for years experienced chronic homelessness on the streets of St. Louis, people once considered the hardest to serve, are now stably housed through an innovative program established by the St. Patrick Center. In January 2004, St Patrick's launched the pilot project that sent a multi-disciplinary, clinically-based ACT (Assertive Community Treatment) team to the streets with something beyond information, skills, and a desire to help - keys to apartments. 27 months later, the ACT team can point to an 84 percent percent success rate of people staying housed in those apartments, ending over 345 years of collective homelessness.

St. Patrick Center Chief Executive Officer Dan Buck cites the story of one client to explain why the approach works. "Joe, who is 32 years old, lived in his van for most of his adult life. He's been transient since the time he was a child, which was mostly spent 'couch-surfing'. He's never had a home. Now he's been able to maintain stable employment. He's medically compliant and able to deal with his bi-polar disease for the first time in his life. He's engaging in social and community activities. He's paying 100% of his own rent. He's been able to take hold of his life simply because someone invested in housing for him. It's amazing to see."

The program was made possible by a $1.5 million, 3-year grant from the Missouri Foundation for Health. The grant includes housing support, psychiatric care, a social worker, employment specialist, and a Team Leader. Due to the success of their first ACT Team, St. Patrick's has secured funding for a second team, "with equally high expectations," Buck said.

The St. Patrick Center is recognized nationally for programs that help individuals and families move from homelessness to independence in measurable, cost-effective ways. The Center serves 10,000 individuals and families annually and is Missouri's largest provider of homeless services.

St. Patrick's Center's McMurphy's Grill was the site of a reception held for attendees at the recent ABA Forum in St. Louis. McMurphy's is a full-service restaurant for training homeless/mentally ill clients. The program enables thirty to forty people per year to discover successful careers in the restaurant industry. Currently, Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. and the Boeing Foundation help underwrite the costs of the restaurant training program. Pictured here are (right to left): United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Mangano, St. Patrick Center Chief Executive Officer Dan Buck, and Rep. Julia Carson (IN), who all spoke at the forum.

WASHINGTON, D.C. New federal research reports on the behavioral health issues of veterans provide useful data to focus on meeting the needs of this population. According to the new reports, veterans are more likely than non-veterans to use alcohol and marijuana, smoke cigarettes daily, and drive under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs. The reports were issued by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Veterans were also found to be more likely to receive treatment for a substance abuse disorder.

The two reports Substance Use, Dependence, and Treatment among Veterans, and Alcohol Use and Alcohol-Related Risk Behaviors among Veterans, focus on substance use, dependence, risk behaviors, and treatment among American veterans. Both reports are based on data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH).

Substance Use, Dependence, and Treatment among Veterans shows that, in 2003, an estimated 3.5 percent of veterans had used marijuana in the past month, compared with 3.0 percent of their non-veteran counterparts. Past-month heavy use of alcohol was also more prevalent among veterans (7.5 percent) than comparable non-veterans (6.5 percent). An estimated 0.8 percent of veterans had received specialty treatment for a substance use disorder (alcohol or illicit drugs) in the past year, compared with 0.5 percent of comparable non- veterans. An estimated 0.8 percent of veterans had received specialty treatment for a substance use disorder (alcohol or illicit drugs) in the past year, compared with 0.5 percent of comparable non-veterans.

Alcohol Use and Alcohol-Related Risk Behaviors among Veterans, shows that in 2003, an estimated 56.6 percent of veterans used alcohol in the past month compared with 50.8 percent of comparable non-veterans. An estimated 13.2 percent of veterans reported driving while under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs in the past year, compared with 12.2 percent of comparable non-veterans. An estimated 18.8 percent of veterans reported smoking cigarettes daily in the past month, compared with 14.3 percent of comparable non-veterans.

In 2003, there were an estimated 25 million veterans, comprising roughly 11.5 percent of the 217 million non-institutionalized civilians age 17 or older in the United States. The reports, Substance Use, Dependence, and Treatment among Veterans and Alcohol Use and Alcohol-Related Risk Behaviors among Veterans, are available from SAMHSA's National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information at P.O. Box 2345, Rockville, MD 20847-2345. Telephone: 1-800-729-6686 (English/Spanish) or 1-800-487-4889 (TDD).

WITH THIS ISSUE, the e-news continues its focus on elements of the Title V federal surplus property program and opportunities to secure resources to assist persons experiencing homelessness under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Title V is one of several ways to access federal property that can benefit persons experiencing homelessness. The e-news will highlight other opportunities in upcoming issues.

The public comment period for a proposed federal policy change regarding the use of federal surplus property for people experiencing homelessness ended February 28, 2006. Under the new policy being forwarded by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), local governments and community groups will be able to use property for permanent supportive housing in the future. To date, use was restricted to homeless shelters, transitional programs, and services. The new policy is expected to take effect this spring.

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act allows the transfer of identified federal surplus real estate to eligible non-federal applicants for purposes of homeless assistance. Applicants for federal surplus property identify how they intend to utilize the property based on the needs of their communities.

Suitable and available properties are listed each Friday in the Federal Register by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. Entities interested in obtaining the surplus property have 60 days to submit a letter of intent to the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

According to the February 24 notice in the Federal Register, land and buildings in the following 23 states are included in the current listing as "suitable and available": Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.

The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness web site includes a link to the latest weekly Federal Register notice regarding federal surplus property available under Title V of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Under "Funding" look for the link to the Title V notice.

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI. Ending homelessness and creating healthy communities was the focus of the American Bar Association's (ABA) Forum on Affordable Housing and Community Development Law held last week in St. Louis, Missouri. The conference, which was also sponsored by The Public Law Review of the Saint Louis University School of Law, brought together ABA members, advocates, government officials, social workers, and others to identify and explore permanent solutions to the housing needs of America's lowest income families.

The impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita was featured in many of the workshops. United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano, who keynoted the event, pointed to the community response to Katrina and the lessons that can be applied to people experiencing homelessness for other reasons.

"If Katrina teaches us anything, and that experience has lots of tutorial power, it is that benefits that were glacially slow in coming can be expedited, eligibility that might take months or years can be given presumptively, regulations that were unassailable barriers can be waived, and that housing resources that didn't exist can be brought into being, all through the magic wand of political will," said Director Mangano.

Founder and Executive Director of the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty Maria Foscarinis, who gave the opening address, spoke about serving the needs of poor people in redeveloping communities, and of how homeless and other poor people fit into development plans.

ABA's Commission on Homelessness and Poverty, a conference partner, works with ABA entities on issues that affect poor and homeless people, educates members of the bar and public regarding legal and other problems of poor and homeless people and ways in which lawyers can assist, and encourages pro bono legal and other services to homeless and near homeless people.

While in St. Louis, Director Mangano and Council Regional Coordinator Michael German met with Congresswoman Julia Carson (IN), who described her omnibus homelessness bill, the Bringing America Home Act, at the reception held for conference attendees at McMurphy's Grill, an establishment staffed by formerly homeless individuals. Meetings also took place with St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley (pictured here), who co-sponsored the joint St. Louis City/County 10-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness with St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay. Director Mangano met with Baton Rouge, Louisiana Mayor Melvin Holden, who reported on his city's hospitality to evacuees and the impact on city services of 100,000 new citizens.

Director Mangano and Mr. German visited the St. Patrick Center, a multi-faceted housing and services agency that annually assists over 10,000 people experiencing homelessness (see related e-news story).

WITH THIS ISSUE of the e-news, we continue our coverage of excerpts from statements made by public sector partners ending chronic homelessness. The following Words of the Week come from Portland, Oregon Mayor Tom Potter (pictured here) during his January 20, 2006 State of the City address entitled "The Year Ahead." In January, Portland announced that 600 people experiencing chronic homelessness had moved into permanent housing during 2005, more than three times the number planned for the first year of its 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness.

. . . We live in a world where there are more problems than there are resources for government alone to fix. But our problems, no matter how seemingly intractable, can be made better by a community that truly cares about each other, and believes it can work together to solve anything. To get there, we must start by acknowledging that the solution begins inside each of us. Not government. Not someone else. But each of us.

. . . The old model where citizens make up their individual wish lists and elected officials decide whose wishes will be granted is not only broken, it is bankrupt. But a community that dreams together will share not only an optimism about the future, but the determination and means to create it.

. . . In the last 12 months I have witnessed many other acts of selflessness. Our community rallied around 1,000 strangers sent to us by Hurricane Katrina, offering them blankets and shelter and hope. Hundreds of volunteers showed up for Project Homeless Connect at Memorial Coliseum. They not only helped those most in need of our help, they also reminded us that our community is better off when all of us are cared for.