WASHINGTON, DC. National Volunteer Week for 2008 kicked off this week, sponsored this year by Target and the Points of Light & Hands On Network. "Volunteer to Change the World" is this week's theme for the National Week, which was designated by President Bush through Presidential Proclamation.

President Bush welcomed volunteers to the White House to launch the week's events, noting: "Those of you who are here today understand the lesson, how you can gain by giving. You can understand how volunteering can transform the souls, both who give and those they help. When you teach a child to read, for example, you not only improve their chances for success in the world, but you become invested in the progress of a young life. When you visit the elderly, you remind them that they are loved, and you remind yourself of how deeply we all feel the need for compassion. When you help the homeless find shelter, you remove the pain of need, and rediscover the resiliency of the human spirit."

"Project Homeless Connect events welcome our homeless neighbors into the 'living room' of the community through the hospitality of community volunteers," indicated United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano. "At Project Connect, we can look our homeless neighbors in the eye as we do our neighbors, and welcome them into the life of the community."

This e-news story features highlights of National Project Homeless Connect events around the country, a key volunteer opportunity encouraged by the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness.

More than 170 communities across the nation have adopted the innovation of Project Homeless Connect since 2005 with the encouragement and direct technical assistance and support of the Council. In the spirit of "pilgrimage" encouraged by the Council, many community leaders and organizers have also traveled to Connect cities to visit events, including numerous pilgrims who have visited San Francisco, which pioneered the model. New cities continue to commit to the innovation: Akron, Ohio will host its inaugural PHC this week.

IN MINNEAPOLIS this week, 1300 community volunteers and 500 individual resource providers welcomed 3000 people seeking resources at the Minneapolis Convention Center during the fifth Project Homeless Connect event there. Nearly 200 of the day's volunteers were from Target, which also provided financial support. Cathy ten Broeke, Coordinator to End Homelessness for Minneapolis/Hennepin County reported that shoe vouchers and ID's were among the most popular items.

IN VANCOUVER, WASHINGTON, the community's inaugural Project Homeless Connect event at the Hudson's Bay High School Commons offered housing and employment information; dental and legal services; and Veterans' Affairs and Social Security service to homeless residents of Clark County. There were also vision exams, wheelchair repair, haircuts, massage, pet care and addiction services and over 300 volunteers. Kelly Adams, Development Coordinator for the Council for the Homeless, was the key organizer.

Public officials attending the event were Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard, State Senator Craig Pridemore, Clark County Commissioner Marc Boldt, and Vancouver City Council Member Larry Smith.

John Lee, Director, Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (pictured above), greeted volunteers before the event: "I greet you on behalf of Governor Gregoire and pledge to you the support of the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs to make this event and your 10-Year Plan an effort that will end homelessness for all our homeless citizens as well those who have served their country in the armed forces."

Council Regional Coordinator Paul Carlson, who addressed the volunteers, noted, "Clark County has the distinction to have launched the first 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness in the northwest. Today your Project Homeless Connects extends the reach of that plan in this one- day event to connect with your citizens in the community who are without homes. On behalf of Director Philip Mangano and the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness I want to thank you all for giving your time, energy and enthusiasm to this event. It will be a great day."

"This event is also connected to your Clark County 10 Year Plan," Mr. Carlson added. "This is not a stand alone event. Not a one shot deal to just make us feel good about doing something about homelessness. It is connected to the strategies, especially the housing strategy we call Housing First, that will bring homeless persons permanently off the streets and into homes. This day is connected to the community wide effort to bring an end to homelessness in Clark County, the state and the country."

"Project Homeless Connect is a national movement to identify people in the community without homes and connect them with services," said Craig Lyons, Executive Director of the Council for the Homeless in Vancouver. "More than 50 organizations and individual service providers will be available to meet the needs of local residents and make the connections needed that could eventually end their homelessness."

The Project Homeless Connect event was the class project of one of the Leadership Clark County (LCC) groups, a 10-month program that brings together a wide variety of business professionals and other community members. LCC participants learn about the available resources as well as the gaps in services.

Pictured here are: Master of Ceremonies Bob McKeehen, local actor and celebrity; Craig Lyons, Director, Council for the Homeless; Rev. Duane Sich, Friends of the Carpenter Church; Vancouver City Councilmember Jeannie Stewart; John Lee, Director, Washington State Dept of Veterans Affairs; and Council Regional Coordinator Paul Carlson.

WASHINGTON, DC. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development yesterday published a Federal Register notice with important information on changes in the next competition and the upcoming electronic application that will be required for the 2008 competition for McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Grants. HUD will make approximately $1.423 billion available through the FY 2008 Homeless Assistance NOFA. Not earlier than July 1, the 2008 Homeless Assistance Grants application will open at the new HUD "e-snaps" site.

Changes identified in the Federal Register announcement include classification and eligibility issues related to Safe Havens, the upcoming $25 million Family Rapid Rehousing Demonstration created by Congress, and opportunities to create multiple Samaritan Housing projects through the competition. Interested applicants should read all of the HUD materials, including a continuing posting of technical assistance tools on the Homelessness Resource Exchange site, and watch for further announcements of training and technical assistance related to the competition. The Homelessness Resource Exchange (HRE) is HUD's new on-line, one- stop shop for information and resources.

Electronic Applications. According to the notice, for FY 2008, HUD will require electronic submission of applications using e-snaps, an electronic system distinct from Grants.gov. The Notice provides detailed instructions on completing the Continuum of Care (CoC) registration process for e-snaps. The Notice also provides applicants important information, including definitions and the necessary CoC planning process, that CoC and project applicants should be familiar with prior to applying for FY 2008 CoC Homeless Assistance funding. Finally, the Notice provides information about the major changes that HUD will make to the FY 2008 CoC Homeless Assistance competition.

Projected Timeline. Last week, esnaps, the new HUD Homeless Assistance Application and Grant Management System, hosted a webcast on the 2008 competition concerning benefits of the new electronic application system and a projected timeline for the competition. According to HUD webcast materials, on- line training will be available in May 2008, and Continuum applicants are encouraged to submit registration in e-snaps as early as possible. HUD will complete reviews of this material in mid-June, with a June 23 deadline for Continuums to disagree with their Hold Harmless need amount. Hold Harmless need issues will be resolved by June 27, and Continuum registration closes June 30. With the opening of the electronic application no earlier than July 1, HUD encourages Continuum applicants to set interim local deadlines for items such as project applications. HUD projects a December award announcement.

Important Competition Details. Yesterday's Notice is divided into three sections. Section I describes the important overview information that CoCs and project applicants should be familiar with prior to applying for FY 2008 Homeless Assistance funding. This includes pertinent definitions (Annual Renewal Amount, Continuum of Care, Continuum of Care Lead Agency, Contact, Preliminary Pro Rata Need, Hold Harmless Need, Final Pro Rata Need, Continuum, of Care Primary Decision Making Group, Continuum of Care Registration) and the CoC planning process. Section II of the Notice provides detailed information on completing the CoC registration process in e-snaps. Finally, Section III provides information about the major changes that HUD will make to the FY 2008 CoC Homeless Assistance competition.

Major changes planned by HUD for the 2008 competition include:

1. CoCs and project applicants will be required to apply for the FY 2008 CoC competition electronically through http://www.hud.gov/esnaps.
2. CoCs will be required to register their CoCs in the new homeless electronic application system, e- snaps, prior to the beginning of the competition.
3. A CoC may create multiple Samaritan Housing Initiative projects as long as the total amount of funding requested for all initiative projects does not exceed 15 percent of the CoC's Preliminary Pro Rata Need.
4. HUD will continue to score Homeless Assistance applications on a 100-point scale; however, the 40 Need points previously allocated to projects will be redistributed into the existing point structure. The exact redistribution of points will be announced in the FY 2008 CoC NOFA. Need will continue to be accounted for through the formula that determines Preliminary Pro Rata Need or the Hold Harmless Need amounts for the CoC.
5. As directed by Congress in the FY 2008 HUD Appropriation (Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008, H.R. 2764), HUD will implement a Rapid Re- Housing for Families Demonstration Program through the FY 2008 CoC NOFA. This demonstration program will serve homeless households with dependent children.
6. Safe Havens (SH) will no longer be given Transitional Housing (TH) or Permanent Housing (PH) classifications and grantees will have an opportunity through the FY 2008 CoC NOFA to change the classification of their project without a grant amendment. Under the newly defined Safe Haven SHP program type, any chronically homeless person entering a Safe Haven will maintain his/ her status as chronically homeless and will therefore be eligible to enter a funded Samaritan Housing Initiative project.
7. HUD is aware that there has been some confusion over Shelter Plus Care (S+C) and new SRO grant amounts and is reminding grantees and applicants that S+C and new SRO grants may not exceed 100 percent of the Fair Market Rent (FMR) for the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) and unit size.
8. CoCs that are in ''Hold Harmless Need Status'' may now use the reallocation process to create new dedicated HMIS projects.
9. HUD will allow only one applicant for HMIS dedicated grants within a CoC.
10. HMIS funds contained in the Training and Technical Assistance line item of the HMIS budget may be used for travel, hotel, and per diem costs associated under conditions spelled out by HUD.

Background materials for 2008 are posted at HUD's Homelessness Resource Exchange site. HUD convened a Debriefing webcast on the 2007 competition in February 2008 and posted materials on line from the event which include 2007 Lessons Learned, Pro-Rata Need, and a 2008 CoC Application and Registration Overview. A list of all Continuum of Care applicants and a Preliminary Pro Rata Need list by geocode is included.

WASHINGTON, DC. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development has published an advance notice of funding availability for $17 million for the Rural Housing and Economic Development program to provide support for innovative housing and economic development activities in rural areas. Approximately $17,000,000 in FY 2008 funding (plus any additional funds available through recapture) are being made available through this Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA).

Community partners concerned about homelessness in rural areas will want to take note of the HUD resources which can be utilized under this NOFA. HUD will award up to approximately $17,000,000 on a competitive basis for Support for Innovative Housing and Economic Development Activities to federally recognized Indian tribes, state housing finance agencies (HFAs), state community and/or economic development agencies, local rural nonprofit organizations, and community development corporations to support innovative housing and economic development activities in rural areas. The maximum amount awarded to a successful applicant will be $300,000.

The notice establishes the funding criteria for the FY 2008 Rural Housing and Economic Development Program. Because HUD is required by statute to competitively award RHED assistance by September 1, 2008, HUD has decided to publish this NOFA separately and in advance of its FY 2008 Notice of Funding Availability for HUD's Discretionary Programs (SuperNOFA). Publishing the RHED NOFA separately will permit potential applicants additional time to prepare and submit their applications.

Eligible applicants are local rural nonprofit organizations, community development corporations, federally recognized Indian tribes, state housing finance agencies, and state community and/or economic development agencies. Also, you must meet all of the applicable eligibility requirements described in the NOFA. There is no match required under the Rural Housing and Economic Development program. Applicants that submit evidence of leveraging dollars will receive points according to the application conditions.

The application deadline date is May 30, 2008. Applications submitted through http://www.grants.gov must be received and validated by Grants.gov no later than 11:59:59 Eastern time on the application deadline date.

According to the notice, the following are examples of eligible activities under the Rural Housing and Economic Development program. Permissible activities may include, but are not limited to the following:
a. The cost of using new or innovative construction, energy efficiency, or other techniques that will result in the design or construction of innovative housing and economic development projects;
b. Preparation of plans or of architectural or engineering drawings;
c. Preparation of legal documents, government paperwork, and applications necessary for construction of housing and economic development activities to occur in the jurisdiction;
d. Acquisition of land and buildings;
e. Demolition of property to permit construction or rehabilitation activities to occur;
f. Purchase of construction materials;
g. Homeownership counseling, including on the subjects of fair housing counseling, credit counseling, budgeting, access to credit, and other federal assistance available, including features for persons with disabilities, such as full accessibility, visitability, and universal design;
h. Conducting conferences or meetings with other federal or state agencies, tribes, tribally designated housing entities (TDHE), or national or regional housing organizations, to inform residents of programs, rights, and responsibilities associated with homebuying opportunities (all meetings and conferences should be provided in alternative formats for persons with a variety of disabilities, as appropriate, and in applicable languages common in the community for limited English proficient (LEP) families);
i. Establishing Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), lines of credit, revolving loan funds, microenterprises, and small business incubators; and
j. Provision of direct financial assistance to homeowners/businesses/ developers, etc. This can be in the form of default reserves, pooling/ securitization mechanisms, loans, grants, the funding of existing individual development.

According to HUD, there has been a growing national recognition of the need to provide support for local rural nonprofit organizations, community development corporations, federally recognized Indian tribes, state housing finance agencies (HFAs), and state economic development and community development agencies to expand the supply of affordable housing and to engage in economic development activities in rural areas. A number of resources are available from the federal government to address these problems, including programs of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Economic Development Administration (EDA), the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), the Department of Interior (for Indian tribes), and HUD. The Rural Housing and Economic Development program was developed to supplement these resources and to focus specifically on promoting innovative approaches to housing and economic development in rural areas. In administering these funds, HUD encourages you to coordinate your activities with those supported by any of the agencies listed above.

WASHINGTON, DC. The United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services' (OCS), announces the availability of $4.6 million for the Job Opportunities for Low-Income Individuals (JOLI) program to help low-income individuals achieve economic self-sufficiency. JOLI, authorized under the Family Support Act of 1988, and amended by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, is intended to create jobs to be filled by low-income individuals. JOLI applicants provide technical and/or financial assistance to private employers in the community to assist them in creating employment and business opportunities for individuals receiving TANF and other low-income individuals.

Partners interested in creating employment opportunities for persons who are homeless will want to take note of these HHS resources. Three specific strategies are identified to create sustainable employment and other opportunities for the target low income population, and applicants must identify one or more as their focus, though OCS encourages a focus on one: new business ventures that will train and employ TANF and/or low-income persons to work within that business; business expansion that results in better marketing services, contracts, access to additional money to help the business grow, etc., resulting in the creation of new, permanent, full-time jobs for low-income persons; and self-employment/micro-enterprise projects.

Applicants must establish and maintain a formal, cooperative relationship with the designated local agency responsible for administering the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program in the area served by the project. Applicants also should integrate their projects with the larger economic development strategy within the target community. Grants are awarded through a competitive process to non-profit organizations having 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) status with the Internal Revenue Service. Faith-based organizations are eligible to apply.

Applicants must show that the newly created jobs will contribute to the achievement of self-sufficiency among the target population. Sustainable jobs offer livable wages, career development opportunities, and benefits such as health insurance, making it possible for individuals to meet basic needs without requiring public assistance.

The applicant should demonstrate a record of achievement in creating sustainable jobs and enterprise opportunities for low-income people. Applicants should address how the results of the project will be evaluated.

JOLI funds can be used to create a revolving loan fund. Applicants are required to allot a minimum of 20 percent of the JOLI funds received for the provision of financial assistance to program participants for the purpose of creation or expansion of a business created by the applicant's project. Loans from the fund that are made to eligible beneficiaries for business development activities must be at or below market rate.

At least 20 percent of the JOLI funds received for the provision of financial assistance to program participants for the purpose of creation or expansion of a business created by the applicant's project. Examples include: start up assistance, computers, supply costs, salaries and training stipends. Interest accrued on revolving loan funds must be used to continue or expand the activities of the approved project.

A letter of intent to apply for one of an estimated 11 awards of up to $475,000 is due by May 22, and applications are due by June 2, 2008. Interested applicants should read the full announcement for complete details.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. "New, innovative homeless programs, significant new funding and a reorganized service delivery system are among the milestones" after five years of implementation of Mayor Richard Daley's "Getting Housed, Staying Housed" plan, according to a new report issued this week by the Chicago Alliance to End Homelessness, an independent, nonprofit organization, whose membership consists of the more than 73 homeless agencies that make up Chicago's homeless system, plus individuals and families who have been homeless. Together with government and philanthropic partners, the Alliance authored Chicago's Plan and is responsible for its implementation. Highlights of the report follow.

"The goal of Chicago's Plan to End Homelessness is to shift away from managing homelessness through the provision of temporary services - such as mats on a floor and soup kitchens - to a system that can provide permanent housing and end homelessness," said Nancy Radner, CEO, Chicago Alliance to End Homelessness. "In the last five years, we have shifted major systems to this new approach, while - at the same time - gaining real ground in the provision of actual, permanent housing."

United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano affirmed the news from Chicago, noting: "Just a few months ago, Chicago was able to announce an overall 12% reduction in homelessness. This new report affirms the jurisdictional leadership and political will shown by Mayor Daley and the strong local partnership at work, including the Chicago Alliance. With the recent new cost benefit study from the Chicago Housing to Health Partnership, Chicago is showing the way to achieve results for all its residents, housed and homeless alike."

The Journey Home: A Report on Chicago's Plan to End Homelessness reports that 52 percent of homeless resources now go for permanent housing, up from 38 percent in 2003. This shift has resulted in the creation of 1500 units of permanent housing that are new or newly targeted to people who are homeless; new rental support for over 580 homeless households; and a total of 6154 units of permanent housing in Chicago's homeless system.

The report also identifies numerous innovative programs also have been launched to address homelessness in Chicago:
Street-to- Home provides intensive services and supportive housing for people living on the streets;
the first of five national pilot programs to address veterans' homelessness;
A 3-year demonstration project providing housing and services for people with HIV, cancer, diabetes and other chronic health conditions;
an "apartment finder" service for homeless individuals;
Homeless Prevention Call Center which connects people at risk of becoming homeless with specially trained prevention staff;
Rolling Stock Housing: A program targeted to place homeless families in permanent housing by providing two years of rent subsidy and supportive services;
and Housing and supportive services for homeless youth (14-20) and their children.

New strategies for addressing homelessness have attracted more than $76 million in new funding over the last five years:
$ 38 million increase in HUD funding for homeless housing and services
$ 4 million from the Illinois legislature for the Rental Housing Support Program
$3 million in Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) funds dedicated to people who are homeless
$5.6 million from the Illinois legislature for services in supportive housing
$ 15 million from the lease of the Skyway, for permanent housing and key programs under the Plan
$ 10.6 million for homeless prevention

Over the last five years, Chicago's homeless system has undergone a dramatic re-structuring. For the first time, a coordinated system for helping people find and keep permanent housing is now in place in Chicago. Citywide coordination among consumers, service providers, government partners and philanthropy promotes system improvements and creates accountability for process under the Plan. A unified approach to services means that, in order to be funded, all homeless services must conform to a set of program models based on best practices. System-wide data collection requires that all provider programs must participate in system-wide data collection that will create tools for more thorough program evaluation and better overall utilization of services.

The e-news continues its coverage of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Third Annual National Summit for Jurisdictional Leaders convened in Washington earlier this month. Here we focus on "Home for Every American" Innovation Award winner Downtown Emergency Service Center in Seattle. Upcoming e-news issues will continue to feature details on awardees.

"Uncommon efforts produce uncommon results . . ." That's the mission statement of Seattle's Downtown Emergency Service Center's (DESC), whose 1811 Eastlake project is a Housing First program with onsite supportive services for 75 homeless men and women with chronic alcohol addiction. Nearly half of the residents have a co-occurring mental illness, and almost all have other chronic and disabling health conditions. Chemical dependency treatment and mental health care are provided onsite. Residents are encouraged, but not required, to participate in treatment, and sobriety is not required as a condition of tenancy.

In January 2008, DESC released the first cost benefit analysis for its 1811 Eastlake initiatives, demonstrating savings of $2.5 million in emergency medical care, jail, and sobering center/detox expenses for residents who lived at 1811 for 12 months. Analysts compared utilization expenses 12 months prior to move-in with utilization expenses 12 months post move-in and found the total cost of operation of 1811 for one year is $1 million.

1811 Eastlake, which opened in December 2005, is the first program of its kind in Washington State, and one of only a handful of programs nationally and internationally, to address the needs of homeless chronic alcoholics who are the highest utilizers of publicly funded crisis services. Residents benefit from 24/7 support including mental health and chemical dependency treatment, primary health care, meals and counseling assistance.

In USA Today this week, the 1811 Eastlake Housing First initiative was recognized as "a prudent use of taxpayer dollars," noting: "Few public policies achieve measurable results and save money at the same time. More cities should give the idea a look. "

William B. Hobson, DESC's Executive Director (pictured here), oversees the array of emergency shelter and survival services, clinical programs, and supportive housing which reach over 6,500 people annually. DESC's mission statement demonstrates its commitment to those it serves: "The Downtown Emergency Service Center works to end the homelessness of vulnerable people, particularly those with serious mental and addictive illnesses. Through partnerships and an integrated array of comprehensive services, treatment, and housing, we give people the opportunity to reach their highest potential." 1811 Eastlake was selected by the Fannie Mae Foundation and Partnership to End Long Term Homelessness for the 2007 "Maxwell Award of Excellence."

"1811 Eastlake is yet another demonstration that rapid rehousing strategies not only work, but pay off for the homeless person and the taxpayer," indicated United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano. "Partnership between mainstream health and law enforcement system and the Service Center has paid dividends to the community."

WITH THIS ISSUE, the e-news continues its coverage of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Third Annual National Summit for Jurisdictional Leaders convened in Washington earlier this month. With this issue, we focus on "Home for Every American" Innovation of Special Merit in Employment Award winner George McDonald, Founder and President of The Doe Fund in New York City. Upcoming e-news issues will continue to feature details on awardees.

"Work works." This simple motto is the core of the Ready, Willing, & Able employment, housing, and recovery program which reaches single men in New York City who have long histories of homelessness, addiction, and incarceration. As described by Founder and President George McDonald, candidates for RWA have to be ready to change their lives, willing to follow rules, and able to work. The "men in blue," as program enrollees are called for their blue uniforms, work hard in a program of employment, counseling, recovery, and community.

Mr. McDonald first began to develop the idea for Ready, Willing & Able more than fifteen years ago, setting out to prove that a formerly homeless person could create a viable existence if he were able to obtain even a minimum wage low skill job, rent an affordable room, and stay off drugs. The Doe Fund takes as its mission to develop and implement cost- effective, holistic programs that meet the needs of a diverse population working to break the cycles of homelessness, addiction, and criminal recidivism. All of The Doe Fund's programs and innovative business ventures ultimately strive to help homeless and formerly incarcerated individuals achieve permanent self-sufficiency.

The results are quantifiable. RWA has successfully graduated over 3,180 individuals to date with the key metrics of success measured as housing stability, employment, and sobriety. In 2007, RWA's graduation rate in its residential programs was over 60%, and the 6-month success rate was 65%. For those coming out of jail or prison in either a residential facility or the day program, the graduation rate was over 70%, and the 6- month success rate is over 60%.

RWA's "men in blue" operate its community maintenance and cleaning services through the work of more than 265 trainees who take on the daily challenge of improving more than 160 miles of New York City's streets. More than 200 participants have completed vocational training in areas including culinary arts, computer skills, and an in-house extermination service that is one of several revenue generating micro-businesses which help raise funds for the operation of programs and provide valuable vocational training opportunities. Average wages for graduates are $9.94 hourly. Top employment partners include such major businesses as Aramark.

"I've known George and Harriet McDonald and Ready, Willing, and Able for more than a decade and am impressed with their entrepreneurial approach to employment for those some believed could never work," indicated United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano. "In targeting those exiting prisons and jails and addicted, Ready, Willing, and Able focused attention on the most challenged groups in accomplishing dramatic results."

George McDonald is pictured here receiving his award with (left) New York City Department of Homeless Services Commissioner Robert Hess and Council Director Philip Mangano (right).

"Give them a home," reads the USA Today headline on a story about Seattle's 1811 Eastlake Housing First initiative. "Down Payment On A Solution," says a Boston Globe editorial on Massachusetts' Housing First strategy and results. From coast-to- coast, mainstream media are reporting and opining on the cost-effective and consumer-focused innovation of Housing First.

As reported elsewhere in this e-news, Seattle's Downtown Emergency Service Center initiative at 1811 Eastlake has demonstrated both housing stability and public cost savings for its 85 residents. USA Today observed about Seattle's strategy: "The city saved money in what could provide a model for solving a national problem," noting that the complex issues of mental illness, addiction, and poverty are not new but that "the country is trying to write a new chapter" in addressing chronic homelessness. The opinion piece also noted the replicabilty of the cost savings achieved by Housing First: "Few public policies achieve measurable results and save money at the same time. More cities should give the idea a look."

Massachusetts, which pioneered "Home and Healthy for Good" under the leadership of the Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance, documented budget savings and housing stability through the work of MHSA Executive Director Joe Finn and Physician Advocate Dr. Jessie Gaeta. Home and Health for Good has most recently reported a housing retention rate of 83%. Massachusetts is about to act on a $10 million budget proposal to further its investment in what's working. As the Globe noted: "It almost sounds too obvious: Massachusetts could end homelessness just by getting people into homes."

Housing First as developed by Pathways to Housing was recently identified as an evidence-based practice by the Department of Health and Human Services' National Registry of Evidence -based Programs and Practices.

BEGINNING Monday - 5.5.08 - the e-news launches 20 Special Issues, one per day, every day in May, each focusing on a single innovation achieving results in preventing or ending homelessness.

You won't want to miss what's coming: Innovations delivered directly to your "in-box," with details of what's working, who's innovating, who benefits, what are the results, and how to learn more.

email: ichnews@setechnology.com

web: http://www.usich.gov