WASHINGTON, DC. "Recovery Act in Action Week" rolled out this week as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development welcomed local partners to take a closer look at HUD's role in implementing President Obama's recovery plan through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

Secretary Shaun Donovan announced that HUD currently has $3.6 billion in ARRA funding available for competition, which will fund public and Native American housing, energy efficiency retrofits, and neighborhood stabilization. It is the largest amount of competitive funds available for application at one time ever in HUD's history. The Recovery Act includes nearly $14 billion for projects and programs administered by HUD. Secretary Donovan also announced that HUD has reached the milestone of $5 billion dollars worth of Recovery Act currently available for spending by grantees across the county.

"We are fostering innovation through these competitive Recovery Act grants," said Secretary Donovan "because so many cities and states have creative ideas. We are working quickly to create jobs and improve housing but also lay the groundwork for long term change."

As a Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Rehousing (HPRP) training convened in Boston this week, followed by Atlanta and New York City events, HUD hosted a series of online technical assistance webcasts - including sessions open to partners through local HUD Field Offices - to offer viewers a chance to get more information on HUD's nine ARRA programs through presentations, panel discussions, and question-and-answer opportunities.

Webcast topics included: The Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program; Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP2) Update; Tax Credit Assistance Program - Putting the Funds to Work; Overview of Fair Housing and Civil Rights Requirements and Considerations - ARRA 2009; American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and Innovations; Public Housing Capital Fund - Overview and Creation of Energy Efficient, Green Communities and Green Jobs; Implementing CDBG-R funding under the Recovery Act; Implementing Your Lead and Healthy Homes Grant; The Recovery Act's Green Retrofit Program for Multifamily Housing; Greening HUD Housing and Green Jobs; and Native American Programs. Check the HUD webcast site for archived materials.

TOPEKA, KANSAS. Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson this week joined public and private sector partners to announce a 14% decrease in homelessness across the state as shown in the January 2009 point-in-time count figures. Sponsored by the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) and the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS), and coordinated by the United Way of the Plains, the count produced new figures to compare to the prior 2007 count. The 2009 initiative was a first-ever statewide alliance of government agencies, businesses, and community organizations.

Governor Parkinson said the results are good news for Kansas. "Despite the economic challenges here in Kansas and across the country, we must remain committed to ensuring that no one should have to sleep on the streets or go hungry," said Parkinson. "I appreciate the work of SRS, Kansas Housing, United Way of the Plains and community-based programs throughout Kansas that are on the front lines of combating homelessness."

"The reduction in homelessness means we're making progress," said Patrick J. Hanrahan, President of United Way of the Plains. "However, too many Kansas families still don't have a place to call home. This year's count must inspire us to redouble our efforts to eliminate homelessness altogether."

Nearly six hundred volunteers in thirty-six Kansas counties participated in the KPIT. Additional partners included the Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition, the Kansas State Department of Education, the Kansas Department of Corrections, the Kansas Coalition against Sexual and Domestic Violence, the Veterans Administration, and representatives from the state's five continuum of care networks.

Governor Parkinson took office on April 28, 2009 following the confirmation of now Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. A successful businessman and former legislator, Governor Parkinson is a native of Wichita (see related story).

WICHITA, KANSAS. Consistent with this week's good news from the new Governor of Kansas that the state can report a statewide reduction of 14% in homelessness, Wichita and Sedgwick County, which have been implementing their Ten Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness, this week reported a 27% decrease in homelessness for the period 2007 to 2009. Wichita and Sedgwick County adopted their plan in March under the leadership of Mayor Carl Brewer, William Buchanan, Sedgwick County Manager and United Way of the Plains CEO Patrick Hanrahan.

Wichita's Task Force to End Chronic Homelessness (TECH) Plan called for the creation of an oversight committee, with members being nominated by the City Manager and the County Manager. The members of the group were selected in May, and all have accepted their positions in anticipation of meeting in late June.

Also underway is an initiative by the United Methodist Open Door to create a services campus by converting the former Kansas Department of Labor building and a former office supply building. Open Door hopes to start operations, which will include a resource and referral center and a food distribution center, sometime next year.

"By focusing on ending chronic homelessness, through a strategy of permanent housing, the community will end the suffering endured by the most downtrodden, and will reduce the high associated financial costs," stated planners. "A reduction in these costs will free up public and private resources that can then be reallocated to reducing homelessness among other segments of the homeless population."

In his 2008 State of the City Address, Mayor Brewer named homelessness as one of "five core priorities that I believe reflect our current challenges, our vision and our values." Mayor Brewer is a signatory to America's Road Home Statement of Principles and Actions, signed by over 450 elected officials.

Wichita-based Inter-Faith Ministries, a key partner in the Wichita-Sedgwick County, Kansas 10 Year Plan under the leadership of Sam Muyskens, has partnered with the National Council of Churches USA and the Philadelphia-based public policy technology company Solutions for Progress to build a strong statewide network of free community-based sites - including permanent supported housing and homeless programs - where consumers, including persons who are homeless, can be screened for and submit applications for an expanded variety of mainstream resources that can prevent and end homelessness. Using Solutions' Benefit Bank one- stop technology, a proprietary tool, Inter-Faith Ministries has increased both the number of public benefit programs included in the benefit screening and the number of sites at which consumers can access the Benefit Bank. Inter- Faith has targeted both rural and urban areas for the establishment of these key supports to prevent and end homelessness. Read the innovations profile of this initiative.

CARRBORO, NORTH CAROLINA. Good news continues to be reported in North Carolina cities and counties this week, as the third city-county partnership reported progress in the implementation of its Ten Year Plan. The Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness reported to the Chapel Hill Town Council and the Carrboro Board of Aldermen on implementation of the five goals of the Plan. Overall, Orange County's 10-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness was found by members of the executive committee, chaired by Sally Greene, to be on course in reducing chronic homelessness, increasing employment, increasing access to services and public participation but not making progress needed in preventing homelessness. Efforts at improved discharge planning are underway.

Over 25 people experiencing chronic homelessness have moved to permanent housing since the Plan was completed in 2007, and the Homeless Outreach team in downtown Chapel Hill has engaged more than 279 homeless people and enrolled 52 in the Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness. More than 30 people found housing and received assistance with deposits under a housing support program.

Two business roundtables focused on the goal of increasing employment, and partners also heard from service providers on this goal. More work is being done to enroll eligible persons in SSI, 50 people have signed up for voice mail boxes, and the Real Change from Spare Change program has raised over $28,000. According to partners, Real Change from Spare Change is a community-wide, collaborative initiative designed to educate, encourage, and empower Chapel Hill and Carrboro citizens, and the UNC community to evoke real change for those in need. The Real Change from Spare Change has a two part goal; to raise funds to support the Orange County street outreach program administered through Housing for New Hope and to support community education to continue to teach people that there is a better way to help in our community.

Last week, the e-news reported on progress in "Partnering to End Chronic Homelessness in Guilford County," the expansive group of community stakeholders now implementing the High Point, Greensboro, and Guilford County 10- Year Plan to end chronic homelessness. The partnership's leadership council is composed of leaders from the cities of High Point and Greensboro, Guilford County, the Homeless Prevention Coalition of Guilford County and both the Greensboro and High Point chapters of the United Way. In April 2008, the partners gathered to launch their implementation strategy, and now the first results - far exceeding the Plan goals - are being reported. With a goal to house 20 people annually, Greensboro has moved 99 people and 31 families from homelessness.

In March, Asheville, North Carolina's Mayor Terry Bellamy reported a 25% decrease in chronic homelessness under the implementation of the city-county Ten Year Plan. Asheville has previously reported other decreases under its Housing First focused Ten Year Plan.

According to Martha Are, the North Carolina policy point person on homelessness who has been detailed to the North Carolina Office of Economic Recovery and Investment for ongoing planning and coordination, the State of North Carolina's Ten Year Planning efforts have been marked by city-county partnerships and United Way leadership across the state. In addition to the state's own Ten Year Plan, Ten Year Plans have been adopted in Brunswick/New Hanover/Pender Counties, Buncombe County/Asheville, Cleveland County/Shelby, Cumberland County/Fayetteville, Durham County/Durham, Forsyth County/Winston-Salem, Gastonia, Guilford County/Greensboro/High Point, Mecklenburg County/Charlotte, Orange County/Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, Carrboro, Pitt County/Greenville, Rockingham County, Vance County/Henderson, and Wake County/Raleigh.

AUGUSTA, MAINE. Governor John Baldacci this week signed into law a new initiative to assist homeless youth in the state. Maine will now establish a comprehensive program for homeless youth and runaways. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to implement the comprehensive program through performance-based contracts with organizations and agencies licensed by the department that provide street and community outreach, drop-in programs, emergency shelter and transitional living services. The bill requires the department to collect data to monitor the success of the program as well as changes in the rates of homelessness among Maine's youth.

According to Maine's state point person, Nancy Fritz, homeless youth service providers sought to respond more effectively to the needs of homeless youth, and to establish clear and common definitions of service terms and ensure the inclusion of prevention services. This group was instrumental in moving the legislation. Passage of a Maine runaway and homeless youth act that mirrors federal programs was a priority in the youth section of Maine's plan to end and prevent homelessness.

Detailed provisions include:

Street and community outreach and drop-in programs: Youth drop-in centers to provide walk-in access to crisis intervention and ongoing supportive services, including one-to-one case management services on a self-referral basis and street and community outreach programs to locate, contact and provide information, referrals and services to homeless youth, youth at risk of homelessness and runaways. Information, referrals and services provided may include family reunification services; conflict resolution or mediation counseling; assistance in obtaining temporary emergency shelter; case management aimed at obtaining food, clothing, medical care or mental health counseling; counseling regarding violence, prostitution, substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV and pregnancy; referrals to other agencies that provide support services to homeless youth, youth at risk of homelessness and runaways; assistance with education, employment and independent living skills; aftercare services; and specialized services for highly vulnerable runaways and homeless youth, including teen parents, sexually exploited youth and youth with mental illness or developmental disabilities.

Emergency shelter program: Emergency shelter programs to provide homeless youth and runaways with referrals and walk-in access to short-term residential care on an emergency basis. The program must provide homeless youth and runaways with safe, dignified, voluntary housing, including private shower facilities, beds and at least one meal each day, and assist a runaway with reunification with family or a legal guardian when required or appropriate. The services provided at emergency shelters may include family reunification services or referral to safe, dignified housing; individual, family and group counseling; assistance obtaining clothing; access to medical and dental care and mental health counseling; education and employment services; recreational activities; case management, advocacy and referral services; independent living skills training; and aftercare, follow- up services and transportation.

Transitional living programs: Transitional living programs to help homeless youth find and maintain safe, dignified housing. The program may also provide rental assistance and related supportive services or may refer youth to other organizations or agencies that provide such services. Services provided may include, but are not limited to, provision of safe, dignified housing; educational assessment and referrals to educational programs; career planning, employment, job skills training and independent living skills training; job placement; budgeting and money management; assistance in securing housing appropriate to needs and income; counseling regarding violence, prostitution, substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy; referral for medical services or chemical dependency treatment; parenting skills; self-sufficiency support services or life skills training; and aftercare and follow-up services.

WASHINGTON, DC. The federal Corporation for National and Community Service has announced the results of its 2009 funding competition, selecting 259 national and local nonprofits that will engage 23,000 new AmeriCorps members in supporting food banks and shelters, helping communities recover from disasters, building homes, preventing high school dropouts and expanding college access, conserving parks and public lands, and recruiting and mobilizing volunteers.

The grants total $131 million and will go to a wide range of national and local organizations, state service commissions, faith-based groups, educational institutions, and Indian Tribes. Together with other positions in AmeriCorps State and National, VISTA, and NCCC, the announcement puts AmeriCorps on track to support nearly 75,000 members through regular fiscal 2009 funding. An additional 13,000 one-time positions were funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, allowing AmeriCorps to support the largest class in its 16-year existence.

"AmeriCorps members give a tremendous boost to organizations that are serving our most vulnerable citizens and communities- especially during tough economic times," said Nicola Goren, Acting CEO of the Corporation. "As the economy drives up the demand for social services, AmeriCorps members and the volunteers they mobilize are a vital resource to meet immediate community needs and bring about lasting change."

Many of the new grants support programs to help individuals improve their economic and social conditions. The Homeless & Housing Coalition of Kentucky will engage 40 members in serving homeless families and building and renovating homes for low-income families throughout Kentucky. The national grant to Habitat for Humanity will support 262 members to build homes and recruit, train, and manage volunteers.

The grants will continue AmeriCorps support of entrepreneurial organizations that bring innovative business-based approaches to citizen problem- solving. They will also continue AmeriCorps emphasis on expanding capacity by recruiting and managing other volunteers. Last year, AmeriCorps programs mobilized and managed 2.2 million volunteers for the organizations they serve with.

WASHINGTON, DC. Local jurisdictions seeking to increase the participation of low income and underserved populations in the Earned Income Tax Credit will be interested in the announcement of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that it will renew the $7.4 million Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) grant program for the 2009-2010 tax season. The new grants will help cities increase the capacity of local VITA sites that provide free tax preparation services to low-income filers, and will enhance VITA site programs targeting individuals with disabilities, urban and rural communities and other underserved areas.

Cities may apply for this funding directly or as part of a coalition or campaign. VITA sites are often run by local governments or community-based organizations and are staffed by trained volunteers who assist tax filers in filling out and submitting their tax forms. Each year, VITA programs are responsible for returning more than $1 billion in tax refunds to low-income communities across the country. These programs help families claim tax credits that they may not have been aware of, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

The grant application package is available at Grants.gov and IRS.gov. The application must be submitted in paper form no later than July 17. Applications will be evaluated based on a variety of criteria, including eligibility, technical merit, geographic coverage and amount of funding requested. Grantees must provide matching funds, which can be non-cash items such as computer hardware or software, office supplies, salaries, space, and volunteer services.

The National League of Cities Institute for Youth, Education, and Families offers a toolkit for municipal leaders on "Maximizing the Earned Income Tax Credit in Your Community," which is available at www.nlc.org/iyef/eitc. For more information about NLC's efforts to support city EITC outreach campaigns and asset-building initiatives, visit www.nlc.org/iyef.

MEDFORD, OREGON. Jackson County became the tenth county in Oregon to complete a Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness last week. Located along the California border, Jackson County includes the communities of Medford and Ashland along the Rogue River Valley. The new plan was released during the county's first Project Homeless Connect. Over four hundred homeless neighbors came to the Oregon National Guard Armory in Medford, supported by the work of over two hundred community volunteers and 45 resource providers. U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness Regional Coordinator Paul Carlson represented the Council.

Jackson County Commissioner C.W. Smith held a press conference during the Connect event to announce the new plan. "This new plan is needed is these difficult economic times," he said. "We will be responsible in our planning but we will begin action. I can't thank enough the Jackson County Homeless Task Force who worked with us to write this plan. I must also recognize the leadership of County Chair Dr. David Gilmour is getting this plan complete."

Ed Angeletti of the ACCESS Inc, the local community action agency, organized the event with support from the Jackson County United Way, and Jackson County Bar Association. Among the services available were legal aid, dental assistance, mental health assessments, drug screening, and veterinary care. 400 transit passes were available from the Rogue Valley Transit District, and Goodwill gave $1,000 in clothing vouchers. WalMart employees provided more than a dozen backpacks they purchased and filled with supplies.

A local volunteer also set up shop with a jar of buttons and two sewing machines to apply her skills to stitch up backpacks, patch pants, mend torn clothing, and even repair a dog harness. Among the broad array of services included in the event were those of local judges, including Judge Lison Grief, Jackson County Circuit Court Judge. Her colleague Circuit Court Judge Tim Barnack noted that they were simply following the historical example of judges, since the term "circuit court" is derived from a time when judges traveled from town to town, "riding the circuit."

Judge Grief was able to resolve numerous warrants for minor offenses that prevented guests from starting the process of securing housing and jobs. "I was able to work with one homeless man who had a warrant out for failure to complete his community service. I had him complete that service right here by working in the kitchen. Situation solved!" Shown here at the Connect event are (left to right): Roberto Franco, Oregon Housing and Community Services; Roxanne Jones, Chair, Jackson County Commission on Children and Families; Ed Angeletti, event organizer; Angela Curtis, Jackson County Planning; Jackson County Commissioner C.W. Smith; Katie Shepherd, Oregon Easter Seals; Mr. Carlson; Christie Van Aiken, Housing Authority of Jackson County; and David Christiansen, Jackson County Homeless Task Force.

Regional Coordinator Carlson joined the Commissioner in celebrating the release of the plan. Addressing the many homeless persons present Carlson said, "Releasing this plan to you today during this wonderful event is part of our pledge to you that we are earnest about doing something to bring you home into this community and ending homelessness." Pictured here are (left to right): City of Medford Councilor John Huttl; Mayor Gary Wheeler; and City Manager Michael Dyal in their discussion of the Plan.

Project Homeless Connect is a one-day, one-stop engagement event sponsored by Mayors and other community leaders and designed to provide housing, services, and hospitality in a convenient one-stop model directly to people experiencing homelessness. More than 220 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Australia have adopted Project Connect, evidence of the rapid implementation of this innovation. Cities of every size from coast to coast have engaged in Project Homeless Connect events.

From its origins in San Francisco, Project Homeless Connect has been identified by the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) as an innovation that mobilizes civic will to end homelessness. Communities replicate this model to move people more quickly toward housing and stability and to help further the goals of their 10 Year Plans to end homelessness.

Is your community planning a Connect event? Email us your event details at nphc@usich.gov

email: usich@usich.gov

web: http://www.usich.gov