BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA. Broward County kicked off implementation of its 10-Year Plan, A Way Home, last week. United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano, invited to keynote the event, joined Commissioner Diana Wasserman- Rubin, Homeless Initiative Advisory Board and 10-Year Plan Implementation Committee Chair Dianne Sepielli, and more than 100 members of the community at the kickoff held at the county library.

Pictured here from left to right are Hallandale Mayor Joy Cooper; HUD Miami Field Office Director Armando Fana,; Oakland Park Commissioner Allegra Murphy; Tamarac Commissioner Patty Atkins-Grad;Council Executive Director Philip Mangano; Southwest Ranches Vice Mayor Don Maines; Pembroke Pines Commissioner Angelo Castillo; Andrew Torres, Aide to Congressman Alcee Hastings; Theresa Brier, Aide to Congressman Robert Wexler; and Hallandale Commissioner Dorothy Ross.

Broward County includes Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and 29 other South Florida communities. The County's 10-Year Plan was developed over 15 months with the participation of over 140 individuals who attended workshops, focus groups, and meetings of nine topical committees. The Plan calls for improved data collection, new homeless prevention initiatives, and the creation of 1,200 housing units, two thirds of which will be targeted to persons experiencing chronic homelessness.

In 2003 Broward County was one of eleven communities that received federal funding under the federal multi-agency Collaborative Initiative to Help End Chronic Homelessness. With the $4.3 million in federal funds, the community was able to implement a pilot program for persons experiencing chronic homelessness, Housing and Health Options Provide Empowerment (HHOPE), that combined assertive community outreach with a Housing First approach and supportive services. Director Mangano credited the community for the development of the HHOPE model, noting that Homeless Initiative Partnership Director Steve Werthman had represented the eleven Collaborative Initiative grantees at a formal meeting of the Interagency Council in Washington DC. Director Mangano complimented the housing focus of the County's 10-Year Plan and encouraged the community to invite the business sector to play a more direct role in the Plan's implementation, noting that " the business mindset to solutions is vital to get the job done."

During the kickoff event, results of a cost benefit analysis of the HHOPE initiative were released that adds to the mounting evidence from communities across the nation that it is more expensive to have chronically homeless persons cycling in and out of shelters, jails, and emergency medical and mental health care than it is to provide a permanent housing solution. The Broward data showed that the permanent supportive housing provided through the HHOPE initiative for 44 individuals, who had been homeless a cumulative 222 years, had saved taxpayers nearly $600,000 over a two year period.

Homeless Initiative Partnership Director Steve Werthman and Project Director Camille Franzoni credit the multidisciplinary HHOPE ACT team members for the positive outcomes achieved in this initiative:

• 86% of the chronically homeless clients admitted in 2004 have been living in permanent housing for over one year
• 77% of the clients are currently self-supporting, i.e., living in subsidized housing but not requiring financial support from the team for daily living expenses
• 65% decrease in inpatient hospital days at the NBHD after admission to HHOPE program with a concurrent cost avoidance of $160,000
• 97% reduction in the number of days in jail resulting in a cost avoidance of $327,250
• Improved partnership and integration with the VA
• Successful implementation of collaborative ACT model with most clients moved from street and/or shelter into housing within a two to three week period

Traveling from Broward to Miami, Director Mangano met with Miami Mayor Manny Diaz to discuss the recent Council-led National Summit for Jurisdictional Leaders. Earlier in the week, the city had postponed its planned second Project Homeless Connect event, Miami Cares II, because of unusually heavy rains. Announcing Miami's 10-Year Plan, Helping Hands Mending Lives, in July 2004, Mayor Diaz acknowledged that " our success over our challenges will hinge on our ability to mobilize, expand, and coordinate our human and financial resources. To maximize and leverage our resources, we will enlist the support of the citizens of the city, the Homeless Trust, other agencies and the private sector." Evidence of Mayor Diaz' success in leveraging human and financial resources in this city of over 360,000 people was demonstrated at Miami's first Project Homeless Connect event in December when 540 volunteers engaged over 600 homeless individuals including moving 80 people to permanent housing and assisting 150 with Food Stamp and SSI applications.

In Key West, Director Mangano met with newly elected Mayor Morgan McPherson and members of the Southernmost Homeless Assistance League, Inc. (SHAL) including Chair Elmira Leto and Executive Director Dr. Wendy Coles. In May 2005, Key West and Monroe County unveiled, KEYS for Housing the Homeless, a 10-Year Plan to end chronic homelessness in that resort area. Director Mangano also spoke at the groundbreaking for Kathy's Hope, a project sponsored by SHAL and Samuel's House Inc. The 16 bedroom Kathy's Hope home will provide long term housing for chronically homeless women and children.

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA. United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano met last week with recently inaugurated Virginia Governor Tim Kaine and Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim to commend the strength of state and regional planning efforts to end homelessness in the Commonwealth of Virginia and to encourage continuing resource allocations for 10-Year Plan implementation efforts. Present at the meeting were Nikki Nicholau, Deputy Director of Housing for the Department of Housing and Community Development, Norfolk Office of Homelessness Director Katie Kitchin, and Council Regional Coordinator Michael German. Pictured here is Virginia Governor Kaine.

A statewide action plan, aptly named Sharing a Common Wealth to End Homelessness, was developed by the state's Policy Academy Team three years ago and its implementation is being guided by the Virginia Inter-Agency Council on Homelessness. Mayor Fraim unveiled a 10-Year Plan for the City of Norfolk last year and a South Hampton Roads Regional Task Force on Homelessness has been formed at the urging of Mayor Fraim that includes the cities of Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and the Isle of Wight. In April, the City of Alexandria approved a 10-Year Plan that aligns with the key goals of the state plan, as does the Norfolk plan. Also in April, Fairfax County convened a summit to begin work on a 10-Year Plan. All of these efforts are geared toward combating chronic homelessness in Virginia and improving service delivery for all homeless persons and those at risk of homelessness.

Prior to being elected, Governor Kaine had served as Lieutenant Governor under Governor Mark Warner. Eighteen months ago, then Governor Warner announced that the state was committing a million dollars in federal HOME funds, distributed through the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, and funds from the Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services for Housing First pilot programs for persons experiencing chronic homelessness in the communities of Roanoke, Waynesboro, and Martinsville.

The Norfolk 10-Year Plan unveiled by Mayor Fraim in May of 2005 had 19 proposals for action that included establishing a 24 hour service center, creating a trust fund for homeless prevention and supporting an SRO project to provide permanent housing with support services for 60 homeless adults. In December, Norfolk participated in the inaugural National Homeless Connect Day, engaging more than 300 homeless persons with the help of over 250 volunteers who provided medical, legal, and employment services, as well as benefits assistance.

In February of this year, the South Hampton Roads Regional Task Force on Homelessness held a regional conference to share "best and practical ideas". Acknowledging a report at the conference that homelessness costs South Hampton Road communities $32 million a year in unpaid emergency room visits, hospitalization bills, jail costs and other expenses, Mayor Fraim noted that "the social costs are even more devastating. For each of the 2000 homeless people out there, there are families that are torn apart and dreams of bright futures dashed."

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA. Less than a year after introducing his Initiative to End Chronic Homelessness with an initial investment of $50 million to create 400-500 units of permanent supportive housing for persons with mental illness experiencing chronic homelessness, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (pictured here at the 2005 event) announced plans last week for Phase II of the initiative that will provide an estimated $4.5 billion over time to build more than 10,000 units.

Governor Schwarzenegger's plan calls for leveraging up to $75 million a year in funding from the Mental Health Services Act - also known as Proposition 63 - with other funding sources including tax credits, local government affordable housing funds, CalHFA below market rate financing, and philanthropic funds. Proposition 63, passed by California voters in November 2004 to provide a dedicated funding stream for the creation and expansion of mental health services and programs, is expected to generate about $750 million a year from a 1 percent tax on incomes above $1 million.

Through the Initiative to End Chronic Homelessness, the CA Department of Mental Health, CalHFA, and the CA Department of Housing and Community Development will collaborate to finance housing construction and county governments will be responsible for providing supportive services. CA Department of Mental Health Director Stephen Mayberg noted that "there is a demonstrated connection between mental illness and homelessness, and housing has proven to be an effective means of transitioning chronically mentally ill individuals into productive lives." He added, " The Governor's Initiative will open new doors to help reverse the problem of chronic homelessness."

The announcement last week of these additional resources gives a boost to the many initiatives underway in California communities to end chronic homelessness. Sixteen California cities and counties have committed to the 10-Year planning process with plans already completed and implementation underway in all major metro regions including San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego.

This weekend we pay tribute to the service and sacrifices of our veterans in the annual Memorial Day observance. In his Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day 2006 proclamation, President George W. Bush declares in part,

"Throughout our history, the men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States have placed the security of our Nation before their own safety. America will be forever grateful for their service and sacrifice. On Memorial Day, we honor those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom.

Defending the ideals of our Nation has required the service and sacrifice of those from every generation. From Valley Forge, across Europe and Asia, and in Afghanistan and Iraq, courageous Americans have given their lives so that others could live in freedom. These Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen took an oath to defend America, and they upheld that oath with bravery and decency. They have liberated the oppressed, spread freedom and peace, and set a standard of courage and compassion for our Nation. All who enjoy the blessings of liberty live in their debt.

This debt of gratitude extends also to the families who stood by our servicemen and women in times of war and times of peace. Each of the fallen has left behind loved ones who carry a burden of grief, and all Americans are inspired by the strength of these families."

While Memorial Day honors those servicemen and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, there is much that can be done through our work to end homelessness that honors the sacrifices of all veterans and their families. As jurisdictions work to complete 10-Year Plans and others are just beginning, it is a good time to remind all that no State, County, or City 10-Year Plan can be considered complete without directly addressing the issues of homeless veterans. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs was able to deliver very welcome news at a recent Senate Veterans Affairs Committee hearing that the number of homeless veterans has declined 25% in the last decade, yet homeless veterans are still disproportionately represented among persons experiencing chronic homelessness.

Best practice in the convening of planning partnerships and the development of plans means the early inclusion of partners who can effectively present data on the needs of homeless veterans and are knowledgeable about the resources and proven strategies to serve them. Accessing resources targeted to homeless veterans not only helps end the homelessness of veterans, it also means that homeless veterans will utilize fewer dollars not specifically targeted to them, thus maximizing the use of available resources for other subpopulations of persons experiencing homelessness.

Among the replicable ideas for consideration for inclusion in 10-Year planning efforts discussed at A National Summit on Homeless Veterans last fall are One Stops for Veterans, Veterans Serving Veterans, re-entry and re-integration programs for veterans, and housing for hard to reach veterans such as the Cabin in the Woods program. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs maintains a special webpage on homeless veterans programs and benefits, and the U.S. Department of Labor has very useful information on homeless veterans employment initiatives on a homeless services webpage. These web pages can be accessed from the VA and DOL links on the left-hand column of the Council's website, www.usich.gov.

An example of a Vets Serving Vets program can be found in the Errera Community Care Center in West Haven, CT. The Errera Community Care Center (ECCC) is part of the VA Connecticut Healthcare System. ECCC provides a continuum of psychosocial, medical, and educational services including crisis intervention, housing, case management, education/skills training, recreation/creative arts therapy, and vocational rehabilitation. What makes the work of the Errera Center significant is its emphasis on the Vets Serving Vets/Peer to Peer model that drives its every activity, and its principles of consumer/peer led education as the preferred mode of teaching skills. Its Veterans Empowerment Committee, started in 1999, plays an active role in the day to day operations of ECCC. The Center's core beliefs are that each veteran should have the opportunity for safe, affordable housing, and an opportunity to achieve a healthy livelihood, and to live as independently as possible in a community of their choice.

This core belief has driven ECCC to forge community and corporate partnerships in New Haven, West Haven, and Bridgeport, CT that have led to the ongoing development of housing opportunities for the homeless veterans served by ECCC. A unique and important partnership is the one with the Vietnam Veterans Assistance Fund (VVAF), established by the Vietnam Veterans of America by and for Vietnam Veterans. The result of this initiative between ECCC and this veterans services organization has led to the purchase of five houses by VVAF that provide transitional and permanent housing for veterans. In addition, ECCC has recently partnered to win the bid to redevelop the vacant Park City Hospital in Bridgeport that will create 103 units of housing, including 48 units of permanent supportive housing of which a minimum of 12 units will be set aside for homeless veterans and 55 units of very low income housing for the elderly, some of which will house elderly veterans. Partners in this project include: Bridgeport Housing Authority, Women's Institute for Housing and Economic Development, Applied Behavioral, Inc., VA CT, Community Housing Management, and Community Elder Services. Verizon/SBC is also an important partner in the housing development efforts of ECCC.

Pictured here are participants in a 2004 Veterans Stand Down at Camp Carroll on Fort Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. Thanks to Specialist Kelsea Vandergriff, 117th MPAD, Alaska National Guard for this photo.

A significant outcome of The National Summit for Jurisdictional Leaders: Moving from Good to Better to Great in Sustaining 10-Year Plans to End Chronic Homelessness was the unprecedented gathering in Peer to Peer Dialogue Sessions of 22 states represented by those most responsible for collaboration across state agencies and for coordination of state policies to end homelessness. Engaging each other in the peer to peer sessions, these state officials shared innovations and best practices - "what is working and what is not working"- as their states develop and implement strategies to end chronic homelessness. Pictured here are Fast Company founder Alan Webber (standing left) and Linda Fosburg (standing middle) of the Massachusetts Interagency Council on Homelessness at a state Peer to Peer Dialogue Session.

Some of the best ideas and practices that emerged from these Dialogue Sessions included:

1. The importance of the leadership of the state housing finance agency in a state's plan to end chronic homelessness. This leadership is particularly important in identifying and implementing strategies for effective use of federal and state resources to finance the creation of permanent supportive housing called for in state plans. Executives from the Connecticut, Arizona, Kentucky, Minnesota, Oregon, Iowa, and Utah state housing agencies attended the Summit.

2. The positive impact when states have an identified statewide point person on the issue of homelessness. Typically, the point person will engage directly with and be accountable to members of the State Interagency Council on Homelessness in coordinating statewide initiatives to end homelessness. The point person also helps to coordinate statewide planning with local jurisdictional planning. Participating in the Summit were point persons from Massachusetts, Maine, Minnesota, Michigan, North Carolina, New Mexico and Arizona.

3. The dramatic possibilities when states develop a statewide data warehouse as a central repository of information from across state agencies and departments. The data warehouse provides states with the unique opportunity to identify where targeted resources can make the greatest impact, to reduce duplication of effort across agencies, and to develop the capacity to conduct cost-benefit analysis research quickly and comprehensively.

4. The need to develop a comprehensive statewide strategy to prevent and end homelessness among veterans, given the large numbers of homeless veterans and their representation among individuals who experience chronic homelessness. Coordination between the state Department of Veterans Affairs and other state agencies, and between the states and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and other federal partners is essential. The state Department of Veterans Affairs should always be a member of the State Interagency Council on Homelessness and there should be a specific strategy regarding the prevention and ending of homelessness among veterans in all state plans.

5. The development and use of outcome-based contracting in state systems to insure that resources are invested in organizations and agencies that demonstrate effectiveness in meeting the state's outcome goals designed to end homelessness.

Joining the state officials in this discussion were representatives from the U.S. Departments of Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Labor, and Veterans Affairs, and the Social Security Administration.

The National Summit for Jurisdictional Leaders: Moving from Good to Better to Great in Sustaining 10-Year Plans to End Chronic Homelessness hosted by the Council in Denver earlier this month brought together more than 150 Mayors, County Executives, State officials, community leaders, thinkers, practitioners, and Federal Agency representatives. The peer to peer dialogue sessions , the presentation and interactive sessions with author Jim Collins, the " A Home for Every American" awards luncheon, and the tours and workshop offered by our host city which showcased Denver's homeless program innovations all provided learning opportunities for the Summit participants. A major goal of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness is to disseminate as widely as possibly information on new ideas, best practices and resources available to accomplish our goal of reducing the incidence of homelessness and ending chronic homelessness. With this edition, the enews is providing links to ideas, best practice activities and programs, and other resources discussed during the Summit:

• Author of Good to Great and Summit Presenter Jim Collins website provides audio clips and other useful information on his work including an extensive excerpt from his monograph, Good to Great and the Social Sectors.

• Denver has created a special website as part of a unique communications strategy intended to more fully involve the community in the effort to end homelessness. Information on the website includes a detailed quarterly report that allows citizens to track implementation of each of the Plan's eight major goals.

• The City of Raleigh/Wake County Commissioners have also established an exemplary website to keep citizens apprised of both progress in ending homelessness, including an annual Progress Report and opportunities for involvement through an online listing of monthly meetings on each of the plan's key objectives: housing, employment and education, services and supports, engagement, and prevention.

• More information is available online for several innovative programs discussed during the Summit:

  Atlanta's 24/7 Gateway Service Center
  Colorado Coalition for the Homeless Renaissance Housing Model
  Common Ground Community in NYC
  Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training (McVet)
  Partners for the Homeless in Memphis
  Pathways to Housing
  Portland's Central City Concern
  Recovery Kentucky
  San Francisco's Project Homeless Connect, the prototype for the national effort
  St. Francis House in Boston Moving Ahead and
  Next Step Transitional Housing Programs

• Two publications -- Documenting Disability: Simple Strategies for Medical Providers and The Health Care of Homeless Persons are useful publications co-authored/ edited by Dr. James O'Connell, President of the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program and a recipient of "A Home for Every American" Award.

• Federal Agency resources available online include a list of the 216 jurisdictions engaged in the 10-Year planning process; the SOAR:SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery website; and homeless specific web pages maintained by the U.S. Departments of Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Labor, Veterans Affairs, and the Social Security Administration.

The fact that the National Partnership to end chronic homelessness begins literally in the White House and extends to the streets passing through federal agencies, state houses, city halls, to the private, business, and faith based sectors is demonstrated in this week's Words of the Week.

This past week, Broward County, Florida launched its 10-Year Plan with an Implementation Kickoff at which United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano spoke. Acknowledging the presence of officials from local, state, and federal government along with civic leaders and other members of the community, Director Mangano noted the importance of having all levels of government partnered together with the private sector to accomplish the goal of ending chronic homelessness and he encouraged the community to invite the business sector to become more directly involved in the plan's implementation.

"If there's one thing we've learned in the last 20 years, it's that no one level of government can get this job done alone. Not Broward County. Not Florida. Not Washington. In fact, government as a whole can't do it alone. It is through these 10-year plans and their implementation that the whole community is represented by stakeholders at the table. I would encourage you to recruit the business community more ardently - the chambers, BIDs, downtown business associations, the United Way, especially for your implementation. An endorsement is one thing; involvement is another. As we are seeing in jurisdictions reporting new results, the business mindset to solutions is vital to get the job done," he stated.

This partnership of the private and public sector to reach the goal of ending chronic homelessness was echoed in the greetings message President George W. Bush sent to participants at the National Summit (see related stories) convened by the Council in Denver earlier this month. In his letter of greetings and also congratulations to the inaugural "A Home for Every American Award" recipients, the President noted the importance of the Summit as a forum for public and private leaders to join together, exchange ideas, and develop strategies to end homelessness in America. "I appreciate the Interagency Council on Homelessness and Summit participants for your commitment in helping our country's homeless citizens and families. As soldiers in the armies of compassion, your good works reflect the character of our Nation and contribute to a culture where opportunity is unbounded and virtue is strong."

WITH THIS ISSUE, the e-news presents information on federal surplus property programs which offer an opportunity to secure resources to assist persons experiencing homelessness under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.

WASHINGTON, DC. Under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, federal surplus real estate - land and buildings - can be transferred to eligible non-federal applicants for purposes of homeless assistance. Properties identified as "suitable and available" 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. Where property is described as for "off-site use only'', recipients of the property would be required to relocate the building to another site at their own expense.

The May 19, 2006 listing of Federal buildings and other real property determined to be "suitable and available" include buildings in Nevada, North Dakota, and Washington. A direct link to the May 19 Federal Register notice can be found on the Council's website, www.usich.gov, under the Funding tab.

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. Under a new policy, which is expected to take effect this spring, local governments and community organizations will soon be able to use federal surplus property for permanent supportive housing. To date, the use of federal surplus property has been restricted to homeless shelters, transitional programs, and services.

As reported in the May 10th enews article on a recent Department of Defense Base Closure and Realignment Conference (BRAC) in Atlanta, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has prepared an updated resource: Guidebook on Military Base Reuse and Homeless Assistance. Also available is Redevelopment Planning: Helping Communities Help Themselves, prepared by the Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment.