|
Partners In a Vision
BOSTON GLOBE EDITORIAL: PROPOSED SAMARITAN INITIATIVE PROMISES "A
COMPASSIONATE AND EFFECTIVE END TO HOMELESSNESS"
Stating that, instead of "indifference, pity, or good intentions,
Samaritan programs promise a compassionate and effective end to
homelessness," the Boston Globe on July 5 gave its editorial support to
H.R. 4057, the proposed Samaritan Initiative now in Congress. The Globe
affirmed that ending homelessness will require partnership by cities,
states, and the federal government to achieve the goal of ending
homelessness for the "men and women who have spent years on the streets or
in shelters. They are 10 to 20 percent of the adult homeless population
but consume more than 50 percent of emergency resources for the homeless.
Even when they get help with mental illness or substance abuse, the
results can almost literally wash away in the rain, because it's hard to
maintain recovery without a permanent home."
Pointing out that "mayors and governors need federal help," the Globe
described the proposed Samaritan Initiative which would authorize three
federal agencies -- the Departments of Housing and Urban Development,
Health and Human Services, and Veterans Affairs -- to distribute $70
million of new FY 05 investment toward the goal of ending chronic
homelessness. Stated the Globe, "It is not a lot of money given the size
of the problem, but $70 million could fund more than 20 competitively
chosen projects to create "supportive housing" units. The immediate payoff
would be to get chronically homeless adults places to live. The long- term
'supportive' components would bring social services to their homes. With a
secure place to live, they could work more effectively to manage drug
addictions, mental illnesses, and developmental delays."
The Globe emphasized that "Samaritan programs would help people who
otherwise would seem to have little hope of building healthier, more
independent lives . . . Supportive housing is a proven approach. One
example is Pathways to Housing in New York City, where the philosophy is
to get clients housing first, then services if they agree to them. Staff
members stick by clients, helping them keep housing even if they suffer
relapses, which can disqualify clients in other programs. The program has
an 85 percent retention rate for keeping mentally ill homeless people in
housing. The money is well spent: Pathways officials point out that their
annual cost of providing supportive housing for one year is $22,500, much
less than the $175,000 annual cost of staying in a state psychiatric
hospital bed."
H.R. 4057, introduced by Representative Rick Renzi and sponsored by a
bipartisan list of House members, will be the subject of a hearing before
the House Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, chaired by
Representative Bob Ney of Ohio, on July 13 in Washington.
Read
the Globe editorial
|
|
ALASKA CONVENES FIRST MEETING OF NEW STATE INTERAGENCY
COUNCIL ON HOMELESSNESS |
 |
 Alaska's new interagency council
on homelessness, created by Governor Frank Murkowski by Executive
Order in May, convened its first meeting on July 7 in Juneau. The
Alaska Council on the Homeless meeting agenda included a "State of
the State" work session surveying existing conditions and data.
State agency representatives briefed attendees on current issues in
behavioral health, Medicaid, labor and work force, veterans, public
safety, education, and housing. Governor Murkowski, in signing the
Executive Order, stated, "Homelessness is one of the most
challenging domestic issues facing the United States as a nation.
Alaska is no exception. Alaska's Faith-Based and Community
Initiatives Task Force found housing to be the most commonly
identified challenge facing those in need."
U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director
Philip Mangano, invited to make the opening remarks at the inaugural
meeting, affirmed the new council's purpose: "Today is an historic
day in Alaska, set in motion by Governor Murkowski's commitment to a
state interagency council. I'm proud to be here to witness the
setting of the trajectory to reduce and end homelessness in your
state. The moral common sense of the future will be a home for every
American. So, in the words of your state motto, 'North to the
Future,' to the day when that goal is realized." Executive Director
Mangano is shown here with Governor Murkowski's Special Assistant
Denny DeWitt.
The Alaska Council, chaired by Dan Fauske (shown here on right),
CEO of the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, is charged with
creating performance measures and accountability mechanisms, and
examining funding opportunities and systems integration issues. The
Council will deliver the Statewide Homeless Alaskans Action Plan by
June 30, 2005, and will concentrate on engaging both public agencies
and the private sector in creating solutions to homelessness as well
as educating all Alaskans about the issues. The Action Plan will
inventory fiscal and demographic data on the homeless population,
assess existing statues and regulations for needed changes, and
design short and long-term strategies to "substantially lessen
homelessness in the state within the next 10 years." 
While in Alaska, Executive Director Mangano met with Anchorage
Mayor Mark Begich whose city of 260,000 has committed to a 10-Year
Planning process and participated in a roundtable event with the
Mayor's Task Force on Homelessness. He also met with Fairbanks North
Star Borough Mayor James Whitaker to encourage the development of a
10-Year Plan in that community of over 85,000, which includes
Fairbanks (population 30,000) and met with local service providers
in a meeting organized by the Fairbanks Native Association.
Read
Alaska Governor's Murkowski's Executive Order »
|
|
|
CALIFORNIA'S CAPITAL CITY LAUNCHES 10-YEAR PLAN |
|
 With unanimous support from
Sacramento, CA, Mayor Heather Fargo (pictured here) and the 8-member
Sacramento City Council, California's Capital City last week
committed to a 10-Year Planning process. The Council's resolution
noted that "the elimination of chronic homelessness requires a
coordinated collaborative planning process to determine how best to
implement prevention and intervention strategies." The City is a
member of the Sacramento County and Cities Board on Homelessness,
and the new resolution commits the City to participate in the
regional efforts of both the Board and Sacramento County in
developing a 10-Year Plan.
Sacramento, the oldest incorporated city in the state, is the
fortieth largest city in the nation, with a population of just over
400,000 people. Sacramento becomes the third California community to
act on a 10- Year Plan during the month of June. On June 30, joined
by 10-Year Planning Council Chair Angela Alioto, San Francisco Mayor
Gavin Newsom (pictured here) on June 30 unveiled his city's "10-Year
Plan to Abolish Chronic Homelessness," calling for a reduction in
the number of emergency shelters and the creation of 3,000 units of
permanent supportive housing for those living on the streets. On
June 8, with the approval of the County Board of Supervisors, Contra
Costa County, California, became the first California county to
produce a 10-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness. Richmond, Mayor
Irma Anderson, who chairs the Health and Human Services Committee of
the U.S. Conference of Mayors, stated, "This is the right way to go,
to find permanent solutions."
|
|
|
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR INVESTS $17 MILLION IN EMPLOYMENT
PROGRAMS FOR HOMELESS VETERANS |
|
 Homeless veterans in 31 states
will benefit from $17 million in U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)
investments announced on July 1 by Secretary Elaine Chao, Vice chair
of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (shown here with VA
Secretary and Council Chair Anthony Principi). $6.7 million in new
DOL funds were awarded to 16 states under the Homeless Veterans
Reintegration Program, which provides occupational training,
placement assistance, education, and other services to veterans. An
additional $10.3 million in second year funding was awarded to
expedite reintegration of veterans into the work force. HVRP is a
McKinney-Vento Act program and is the only federal program
exclusively focused on employment of homeless veterans. HVRP funds
are competitively awarded to state and local workforce investment
boards (WIBs), local public agencies, and non-profit organizations,
including faith-based and community organizations.
According to Deputy Assistant Secretary Charles Ciccolella of
DOL's Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS), 8,000
homeless veterans are projected to be served by the HVRP awards.
HVRP programs offer veterans employment and training services to
support reentry to the labor market, including job counseling,
resume preparation, and job development and placement. Supportive
services such as clothing, shelter, referral to medical or substance
abuse treatment, and transportation assistance are also provided.
HVRP has an outreach component using veterans who themselves have
experienced homelessness, and projects can use formerly homeless
veterans in positions where there is direct client contact if
outreach was not needed extensively, such as counseling, peer
coaching, and intake and follow up.
The emphasis on helping homeless veterans get and retain jobs is
enhanced through linkages and coordination with veterans' services
programs and organizations such as the Disabled Veterans' Outreach
Program and Local Veterans' Employment Representatives in the State
Employment Security/Job Service Agencies or the newly instituted
workforce development systems, Workforce Investment Boards, One-Stop
Centers, Veterans' Workforce Investment Program, the American
Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the
Departments of Veterans' Affairs, Housing and Urban Development and
Health and Human Services.
Read
the list of DOL HVRP awardees »
|
|
|
DID YOU KNOW . . . |
|
 . . . that Alaska's capital city of
Juneau is named for Canadian miner and prospector Joe Juneau, who
arrived there in 1880 as part of a mining party that made the first
major Alaskan gold discovery. "Juneau" was the new settlement's
third name, and since 1906 the city has been the center of
government in what became the 49th and largest state in 1959.
. . . that the Alaska flag, eight gold stars on a field of blue,
represents the seven stars in constellation Ursa Major, or the Big
Dipper, with the eighth star being the North Star and representing
the northern most state. The flag's design was submitted by
13-year-old Native American John Bell (Benny) Benson in a school
contest in 1926. From the village of Chignik, the school boy was
living in an orphanage in Seward, Alaska, when he participated in
the American Legion's flag contest. He received a $1,000 scholarship
and a watch for winning the contest.
. . . that Alaska's official motto, North to the Future, was
adopted by the state legislature in 1967 during the Alaska Purchase
Centennial. The motto, according to its creator, newsman Richard
Peter, "...is a reminder that beyond the horizon of urban clutter
there is a Great Land beneath our flag that can provide a new
tomorrow for this century's 'huddled masses yearning to be free.' "
And to be housed. 
|
|
|
FEDERAL PARTNER PROFILE: DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION |
|
 WITH THIS ISSUE, we continue our
focus on the federal partners in the Interagency Council with a
profile by the U.S. Department of Transportation on transportation
affecting homeless people. A number of strategies can facilitate
access to transportation services for those who are homeless or at
risk of becoming homeless. For example, the U.S. Department of
Transportation's Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) program helps
low-income individuals get the transportation services they need by
working with other human services programs such as the Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Workforce Investment Act
(WIA) to solve transportation problems. Significantly, JARC is one
of the few Federal programs that can be matched by other Federal
funds, which has inspired greater state and local collaboration. GAO
found that almost 60 percent of JARC grantees collaborated with
agencies that receive funds from the TANF program to support
services. Under the Administration's proposed reauthorization of the
surface transportation programs, two additional programs - the
Elderly and Disabled Program and the President's New Freedom Program
- will be eligible for the same matching provision.
In New York City, JARC funds support Project Renewal's Suburban
Jobs Program which connects formerly homeless individuals to job
opportunities, bridging the gap between new, entry-level suburban
jobs and formerly homeless job seekers in urban areas. Project
Renewal transports 450 job-ready, formerly homeless substance
abusers to unsubsidized employment in suburban locations via mass
transit and private van shuttle service. Other transportation
services provide temporary assistance until homeless individuals can
save enough money to purchase a car or pay for their own
transportation. Individuals at homeless shelters in Toledo, Ohio,
receive weekly bus passes until they are able to support their own
transportation costs to and from work, health appointments, and
other community activities. West Monroe, Louisiana, provides
transportation services for homeless individuals so that they can
get to work, and continues to provide these services until their
clients have saved enough money to purchase a vehicle to get to a
local job.
The goal of ending chronic homelessness can be achieved if city,
state, and Federal officials work together to make it happen - and
transportation is a key element of that strategy. It is a lifeline
for homeless individuals seeking a foothold in a competitive
economy. When budgets are tight at all levels of government, it is
more important than ever to collaborate to reach common goals. By
coordinating the work of the Interagency Council on Homelessness and
the Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility, we can do even more
to fulfill the President's call to help the most vulnerable
populations in our Nation. 
Read
more about the Executive Order on transportation coordination »
|
|
|
WORDS OF THE WEEK: MOVING FORWARD IN THE SPIRIT OF
PARTNERSHIP |
|
 FOR THIS ISSUE, the e-newsletter
focuses on remarks delivered on June 30 by U.S. Interagency Council
Executive Director Philip Mangano (pictured here at the San
Francisco press conference) at the unveiling of San Francisco's
10-Year Plan. " . . . I was in the Midwest not long ago. We were
conducting a city focus group on innovative ideas from around the
country that are creating change in reducing and ending
homelessness. City Administrators were inspired by the faculty they
were hearing and the results being reported. After the session the
woman responsible for homeless policy in Wichita, Kansas, came up to
me and said this: 'I feel like there's a train pulling out of the
station and I want Wichita on it.' She's right. There is a train
pulling out of the station. And today San Francisco climbed on
board. It's the train of abolition. And it's gone down the tracks
before in our country's history. When social wrong seemed
intractable and hope was being lost, those who understood the moral
common sense of the future got on board and rode."
" . . . Mayor Newsom and I agreed at our first press conference
together in his first week in office, that new ideas are important
just as new resources are. And those new ideas - assertive community
treatment teams, housing first, Direct Access to Housing are making
a difference. Every week new cities and counties are committing to
10-year plans. Mayors and County Executives know that around our
country homelessness is yielding to planful partnerships, innovative
ideas, and strategic solutions. All the elements of San Francisco's
plan."
" . . . When San Francisco's toleration of homelessness
diminishes, our country's soul will feel the healing. Together our
efforts will overcome this national disgrace. Our plans and
resources and investments have a single intent - to reduce and end
homelessness. That everyone in our community will be known by a
single name - neighbor - and be treated as one."
Read
the San Francisco Plan »
|
|
|
FEDERAL SURPLUS PROPERTY: USING MCKINNEY TITLE V PROPERTIES
TO END HOMELESSNESS |
|
| WITH THIS ISSUE, the e-newsletter continues its
focus on federal surplus property and opportunities to secure
resources for homeless programs. Under Title V of the McKinney-Vento
Homeless Assistance Act, state and local governments, as well as
nonprofit organizations, are eligible to apply for land and
buildings that have been determined by the federal government to be
"suitable and available." Properties are listed each Friday in the
Federal Register. The Title V program is historically an interagency
initiative involving the Department of Housing and Urban Development
and Health and Human Services, as well as the General Services
Administration and the U.S Interagency Council on Homelessness. The
Council and its federal partners in the Title V process have
convened a policy work group on the Title V program to support the
President's commitment to end chronic homelessness in 10 years and
expand policy coordination and collaboration to benefit people
experiencing homelessness.
July 2 Federal Register listings for the Title V program include
both land and buildings declared suitable and available under Title
V. Building in California, Georgia, and Maryland - including former
motels, barracks, housing, a health clinic, and a recreational
building - were identified for off-site use. "Off-site: use requires
that recipients of the property will be required to relocate the
building at their own expense. Two parcels of farmland in Delaware,
Ohio, have also been declared suitable and available. Properties may
be used for a wide variety of programs and services for homeless
people, including, but not limited to, emergency shelters,
transitional programs (with occupancy limited to 24 months), food
banks, job training, storage facilities, or administrative space.
All programs and activities must be operated in a manner that is
consistent with Federal civil rights and non- discrimination laws.
HUD FIELD OFFICES: Contact the HUD field office for your state to
obtain property information and/or to be put on a mailing list.
FEDERAL LANDHOLDING AGENCIES: Further information on specific
properties can be obtained from the specific federal landholding
agency. The name and number to contact can be obtained from the HUD
field office or the HUD toll-free number: 1-800-927-7588 DEPARTMENT
OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES: For a copy of the application packet
for a specific property, write to the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, Division of Property Management, Program Support
Center, Room 5B-17, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville,
MD 20857. Telephone Number: (301) 443-2265. Your letter should
identify the property in which you are interested, including the
date of the Federal Register notice in which it was published,
include the name of your organization, whether it is a private or
public entity and request an application packet.
Read
the Federal Register announcement »
|
| Quick Links... |
|
|
