WASHINGTON, DC. Just days before the July 22 anniversary date of the 20th anniversary of the signing by President Ronald Reagan of the then Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act (now McKinney-Vento Act), the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives this week convened its seventh Compassion in Action Roundtable event to focus on the partnership of faith-based and community organizations in ending homelessness and achieving the Administration's commitment to end chronic homelessness.

With successful OFBCI Roundtable events convened on reentry and economic development, Council Director Mangano earlier this year encouraged OFBCI Director Jay Hein to dedicate the July event to mark the 20th anniversary of federal response through the 1987 signing by President Ronald Reagan of the McKinney Homeless Assistance Act. The Roundtable focused on the role of innovation in achieving results in ending homelessness, including through faith-based and community partnerships.

United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson (pictured here) and HUD Regional Director and former Mayor Bob Young addressed the invitees. Council Executive Director Philip Mangano made remarks and moderated a panel including Volunteers of America of Florida, Inc. CEO Kathy Spearman, Sister Gloria Perez of Eva's Village in Passaic County, NJ, Reverend Faith Fowler, Cass Community Social Services in Detroit, and Denver Department of Human Services Manager Roxane White.

The event, moderated by OFBCI Deputy Director Jedd Medefind, will offer solutions to homelessness to faith and community based partners. Pictured here are (top) the panel moderated by Director Mangano which included (left to right): Director Mangano, Denver Department of Human Services Manager Roxane White, Volunteers of America of Florida CEO Kathy Spearman, Reverend Faith Fowler, Cass Community Social Services, and Sister Gloria Perez of Eva's Village in Passaic County, NJ; and (bottom, left to right) from Kentucky Housing Corporation: Father Ed Bradley, Director Mangano, CEO Ben Cook, and Board Chairman Don Ball.

More specifics on the innovations and partnerships will be featured in next week's e- newsletter.

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA. "On July 15, 2003, almost 4 years ago to the day, NACo adopted a Resolution supporting our efforts to end the homelessness of the most vulnerable and disabled Americans and supporting the development of local 10-Year Plans to do so," United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano reminded committees of the over 3,000 County partners gathered last week at their 72nd Annual Conference in Richmond, Virginia. "Has anything happened as a result of this Resolution? Did anyone pay attention? Have any communities benefited? Or has this Resolution and, more importantly, its implementation throughout our country, made a difference, created change? Did it move past archeology to 'activology'? The answer to every question is yes."

Invited to report to the nation's County leaders, Director Mangano identified the more than 215 Counties now partnered in the more than 300 jurisdictional 10-Year Plans encouraged and supported by the Interagency Council. Director Mangano, accompanied by Council Team Leader Michael German, was invited by the NACo Health Steering Committee (chaired by Lee County, Florida Commission Chair Robert Janes), Community and Economic Development Steering Committee (chaired by Fort Bend County, Texas County Commissioner Grady Prestage), and Human Services and Education Steering Committee (chaired by Sacramento County Supervisor Roger Dickinson), and hosted by Associate Legislative Directors Cassandra Matthews, Paul Beddoe, and Marlina Sanz.

Director Mangano also met with NACo President- Elect Eric Coleman of Oakland County, Michigan, a former business executive and educator who was inaugurated as President on July 15, and talked about the impact of homelessness and unemployment on communities.

Noting that new results require collaboration and coordination of resources in performance-based strategies at all levels of government, together with community institutions, businesses, and faith based organizations, NACo in 2003 unanimously supported a permanent policy resolution in support of the Bush Administration's goal of ending chronic homelessness and called for every county to work with the Interagency Council to develop a 10-Year Plan in support of the Administration's initiative to end chronic homelessness. The resolution was sponsored by Orange County Board of Supervisors Chair Richard Crotty, Franklin County, Ohio Board of Commissioners President Dewey Stokes, Shelby County, Tennessee Board of Commissioners Member Linda Rendtorff, and Maricopa County, Arizona Board of Supervisors Chair Fulton Brock and Member Don Stapley. NACo encouraged counties to develop 10-Year Plans incorporating the latest research on effective engagement, housing and services strategies to prevent and end chronic homelessness.

Pictured here are (top) NACo President Eric Coleman and Director Mangano, and (bottom): Los Angeles County Washington representative Reg Todd, NACo President Coleman, Marin County Supervisor and NACo Medicaid Committee Chair Susan Adams, Representative Bobby Scott (VA), Director Mangano, Los Angeles County Supervisor Yvonne Burke, and Council Team Leader Michael German.

DENVER, COLORADO. Having been recently re- elected with 87% of the vote, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper delivered his Second Inaugural Address this week at the City's Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre. Noting the City's progress through its 10-Year Plan in ending chronic homelessness and the fact that many of the goals set for the City in his first term have relied on planning, the Mayor affirmed the results of their efforts:

. . . .Immediately after we took office, more than 300 people participated in an 18-month process to create Denver's Road Home, our 10-year-plan to end homelessness. We looked to every sector, every neighborhood and every congregation to help us implement it. In just two years, the number of chronically homeless individuals in Denver decreased by 36 percent . . . and panhandling on the 16th Street Mall decreased by 92 percent.

We are on track to meet our 5-year goal of a 75 percent reduction in chronic homelessness.

. . . As we worked to fulfill these pledges, we've invested significant time and effort in strategic planning. No well-managed business operates without a long-range plan. This administration believes in long-range plans. "When you don't know to which port you're sailing," the saying goes, "no wind is a good one." "Look before you leap . . . an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure . . . a stitch in time saves nine." Our society has provided us with many reminders that foresight is always a preferable alternative to hindsight, and strategic planning is, while not the most pulse-stirring term, actually an ongoing celebration of the human mind and its powers.

Mayor Hickenlooper also noted in his remarks the problem-solving roles of Mayors who can lead their cities in the pursuit of innovation and solutions.

. . . Cities offer many of the most spirit-raising examples of clear-eyed analysis of problems and active pursuit of solutions. Change and innovation are far more rapid than in larger units of governance. When we achieve success it spreads rapidly to other cities, and then percolates up through state and ultimately to federal government . . . creating lasting impact far beyond our own municipal borders.

WASHINGTON, DC. Continuing the international convening of national government partners initiated by the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness after its revitalization in 2002, Council Executive Director Philip Mangano last week welcomed to Washington delegations from the United Kingdom and Canada and the representative of the government of Australia, along with delegates from the United States representing federal, state, and local government, as well as the private sector. Pictured here are the delegation leaders (left to right): Australia's Monsignor David Cappo, Council Director Mangano, United Kingdom's Terrie Alafat, and Canada's Bayla Kolk.

Director Mangano was joined in welcoming delegates by United States Department of Labor Assistant Secretary for Veterans Employment and Training (VETS) Charles Ciccolella (pictured here), who praised the leadership of the Council in bringing innovation and results to the issue of homelessness in the United States. The Assistant Secretary noted the important work of the federal agencies in supporting returning service members from Iraq and Afghanistan and applying lessons learned to the services and supports offered. In addition to the Department of Labor, the Departments of Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture, Homeland Security/FEMA, and the Social Security Administration took part.

At the International Colloquy on Homelessness opening session, delegation leaders provided an overview of the initiatives of their national governments. United Kingdom delegation leader Terrie Alafat, Director of Housing Strategy & Support for Communities and Local Government (pictured here) accompanied by delegation members from Northern Ireland and Scotland, reviewed key results in the more than 75% reduction in rough sleeping on the streets that has been achieved since the late 1990's and new initiatives targeted to homeless families.

Bayla Kolk, acting Canadian Associate Assistant Deputy Minister for Income Security and Social Development in the area of Human Resources and Social Development, is responsible for the policy and program direction of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, on which she briefed delegates. Ms. Kolk (pictured here) described the history of Canada's response through the National Homelessness Initiative (NHI) launched in 1999. The new Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) approved by the Cabinet in November 2006 and announced in December 2006 focuses on enhancing coordination of investments for prevention and reduction of homelessness in Canada and has been funded at $134.8 million per year for two years.

Monsignor David Cappo of Australia briefed delegates on his work as Commissioner for Social Inclusion and Chair of the South Australian Government's Social Inclusion Board where he is leading the development of new social policy and recommending new structures in government to implement such policy. He has also been appointed a member of the South Australian Government's Economic Development Board to assist in the process of forging closer links between economic and social policy in the State. He is currently the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Adelaide, and as such is the deputy to the Archbishop of Adelaide and is Chief Executive of the Archdiocese. Director Mangano is pictured here with Monsignor Cappo.

WASHINGTON, DC. From opening remarks to closing testimony on the role of political will, delegates to the International Colloquy on Homelessness last week learned much that will support their individual national government initiatives and partnership among countries.

Research. In plenary session, delegates heard new research reports, including an overview of new research on family homelessness from Dr. Dennis Culhane and family research emerging in the United Kingdom that was reported by Suzanne Fitzpatrick, Professor of Housing Policy at the University of York and Director of the Center for Housing Policy. Discussion included issues of cost savings and cost shifting, along with focus on the questions of "who pays, who saves, who benefits?" in addressing the findings from cost benefits analysis.

Subpopulation Strategies and Mainstream Resources. Strategies for subpopulations, including persons who are chronically homeless, youth, and the reentry population, were discussed. Monsignor Cappo stressed the importance to the national initiative of focusing on specifics populations in the context of a single plan, providing support to what is working - including high impact innovations - and further scrutiny to what is not.

Canada's Bruce Pearce, who co-chaired the 2006 inaugural Beyond The Street, Canada's national conference on youth homelessness which was based on research from the National Homelessness Initiative, described the impact of the event and business case implications. United Kingdom delegates observed that, beginning in 2002, their "dependence to independence" strategy for youth has supported their efforts to develop appropriate accommodations and identify successful engagement and transition interventions, which include life skills, recreation, arts initiatives, and support for youth culture.

Canada's Joy Cramer reviewed homelessness data from First Nation or aboriginal people. Canadian delegates also noted the needs of persons who are severely alcohol addicted. Findings from a long-term initiative with chronically homeless persons in Boston were presented by Dr. James O'Connell of Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program. The Federal initiatives of HHS, HUD, IRS, SSA, and USDA to improve access strategies for consumer-focused mainstream resources of benefits, entitlements, and income, were the focus of remarks from Council Deputy Director Mary Ellen Hombs.

Housing- The Antidote. HUD Deputy Assistant Secretary Mark Johnston, Common Ground Community founder Rosanne Haggerty, and Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance Executive Director Joe Finn addressed new strategies in federal housing investment, especially those targeted to ending chronic homelessness, local innovation, and Housing First initiatives. DAS Johnston noted that HUD's investments have shifted to create incentives for housing creation, which Mr. Finn observed has been a key driver in creating local leverage for housing investment. Canada's Phil Brown of the Shelter, Support and Housing Administration Division of the City of Toronto described progress toward creating a return on investment for public resources, including successful local housing initiatives supported by the national government partnership that have moved the orientation of investment from "how can I help you?" to "how can I help you find housing?" Success rates of over 85% to date have allowed the closure of shelters. United Kingdom delegation leader Terrie Alafat noted that two important questions to the issue are identifying which interventions begin change and what will be the role of shelters as results in ending homelessness accrue. UK delegation member Jane Everton, Deputy Director for Housing Care and Support, observed the importance of pooled investment resources which then flow to the local level to be customized according to local decisionmaking regarding the need for services.

Prevention of Homelessness. Prevention strategies were accorded equal discussion with interventions, and United Kingdom delegates noted that prevention discussions had revitalized their ongoing initiatives on homelessness, allowing them to set targets for outcomes, incorporate structural change in systems, and prioritize those at highest risk. 50% fewer people are falling into homelessness now. Canadian delegation leader Bayla Kolk noted that prevention tackles all root causes of homelessness and contributes to reductions. A multi- level Calgary initiative for pregnant and parenting mothers has helped ensure that families at risk have remained 100% housed. Canadian and United Kingdom delegates stressed the usefulness of using early warning signs such as visits to food banks and requests for rental assistance to forestall possible homelessness.

Minnesota Director of Ending Long-Term Homelessness Laura Kadwell described the State Business Plan strategy for prevention and noted that there is little the State does with mainstream programs that does not contribute to prevention of homelessness. Minnesota's Family Homelessness Prevention and Assistance Program has been most recently funded at $15 million for two years, providing services and direct financial support. Data show that the average intervention costs about $570 per episode and resources reached 16,000 household in FY 2006, with 90% remaining housed 6 months later. United Way of Atlanta Vice President Chris Allers described the United Way of American's new Financial Stability initiative focused on asset building strategies and partnership with the Internal Revenue Service regarding the Earned income Tax Credit.

Pictured here are (top to bottom): Delegates meeting in the Indian Treaty Room at the White House; and discussion among delegates (l-r): Dr. James O'Connell, Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, Australia's Monsignor David Cappo, HUD Deputy Assistant Secretary for Special Needs Programs Mark Johnston, and Quincy, Massachusetts City Council member Joe Finn.

WASHINGTON, DC. The key topics of private sector involvement and the role of political will were the focus of the final day of International Colloquy dialogue.

Private Sector Partnership. United Way of Atlanta Vice President for Impact Dr. Chris Allers described the key roles of private sector leaders, such as Atlanta's 10-Year Plan Champion Horace Sibley, in leveraging business and civic partnership and investment. Atlanta's United Way was the nation's first to adopt the community impact model now used nationally. Atlanta's regional plan investment from the private sector now tops $36 million new dollars invested in four years. Dr. Allers (pictured here at top), noting that the more than 1300 United Way chapters annually invest over $3 billion in health and human services initiatives at the local level, identified that successful partnerships are involving all sectors, and creating new champions as they evolve, citing the example of efforts to improve reentry by involving police department officials, judges, and sheriffs. He noted the important role of cost benefit analysis and business thinking, as well as a resource- based validation strategy that helped Atlanta's original plan hone its first fourteen goals to nine based on dialogue with local and regional investors in the philanthropic community.

Dr. Allers observed that United Way's culture brings more business orientation than non-profit thinking to its work, and sees success in current initiatives by involving thought leaders first, followed by investors. Noting that corporate partners seek accountability and impact from their investments, Dr. Allers encouraged the partners to recognize that business partners will go to the bottom line of a proposal first, and then work their way back to see their role clearly.

UK's Jeremy Swain of the Thames Reach program described an early visit to New York City to see both Common Ground Community and Ready, Willing, and Able's (RWA) employment programs, and noted that the private sector role in Canadian homelessness initiatives is a "sleeping giant" relative to U.S. initiatives, citing RWA's relationship with Toyota as an example. Chris Hampson of UK's Look Ahead program identified the issue of historic providers who are strongly "branded" for their services, with Dr. Allers noting that corporate donors are best supported in investing in solutions rather than focusing on competition among brands.

Canada's Yves St-Onge, Director of Partnership Development for the Homelessness Partnership Secretariat, noted the importance of addressing business on its own unique terms, recognizing that there is $23 million private sector investment in Canada's programs, posing the challenge of how to federate this local investment on a national basis. Mr. St-Onge affirmed the importance of developing a rationale for investing in solutions, noting the business and market opportunities offered both by former consumers as they integrate to the mainstream, as well as by procurement and spending in existing emergency systems as they shift to other emphases such as housing.

Political Will. Political will in Portland, Oregon, through a Plan which has achieved an 70% reduction in chronic homelessness 2 ½ years into its 10-Year Plan implementation, was the focus of Portland Bureau of Housing and Community Development Manager Heather Lyons' remarks to delegates. Ms. Lyons (pictured here, bottom), who noted the crucial role of the Interagency Council's leadership and presence in local communities, noted that the Plan's importance to the new reductions and its strategies for implementation. Unique strategies for political and civic champions - including Portland Mayor Tom Potter and City Commissioner Eric Sten who himself ran on the issue for using the documented results - for providers and local service organizations, and for public sector partners are needed and have proven successful. Ms. Lyons stressed the importance of these strategies in increasing flexibility for the public sector to invest, in removing barriers to regulatory concerns, and in engaging all needed sectors.

Ms. Lyons indicated the value of partnerships achieved in implementation of Project Homeless Connect, including those with Nike and the Portland Trailblazers. Support for the Plan has resulted in moving from a $1.3 million investment of public funds 3 years ago to $5.2 million in general funds and an $11 million bond issue for supportive housing. She identified the significance of using data to engage partners and the importance of sharing credit in the partnership when results are achieved.

Australian Monsignor David Cappo also noted the importance of community champions and key role for political partners of third party endorsements, whether they come from media or other sectors, adding to the impact of identifying costs and creating "constant tension" in how the issue is addressed.

Canadian delegation leader Bayla Kolk observed that the management of political will is as important as the creation of it. She reflected on the summit: "We appreciated the generosity and sharing of experiences by the American delegation. Connections were made with representatives from Atlanta, Portland, Minneapolis, and Boston. Many good ideas were conveyed stemming from 10-Year Plans, Project Homeless Connect, mobilizing through groups such as United Way, and moving beyond shelters to enlightened and sustainable solutions. Once again, it is compelling how much we can learn from each other. Such discussion serves to validate and educate and push forward the possibilities for innovation in tackling and ending homelessness."

Delegates concluded their visit with a site visit to the Pathways DC Housing First program where they met with formerly homeless consumers and Pathways COO Linda Kaufman for an open discussion on the Housing First model. The Council initiated the site visit based on the high level of interest that the delegations had in the Housing First model.

An ongoing collaboration between The Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness and the Department of Mental Health, the Pathways to Housing-DC ACT Team serves chronically homeless, dually-diagnosed adults who are living on the streets or in low-barrier shelters of the District of Columbia. The program introduces these consumers to the "Housing First" initiative and its direct route to stable housing. The Assertive Community Treatment Team (the ACT Team), managed by Pathways to Housing-DC, is a subsidiary of the nationally recognized Pathways to Housing, Inc, based in New York City.

WASHINGTON, DC. Expert faculty from across the country and 70 representatives of North American cities gathered last week in Washington, DC for the inaugural National Project Connect Best Practices Institute convened to promote rapid dissemination of best practices and innovations in the one-day, one-stop engagement model. United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano welcomed attendees to the half-day Institute, where the Council briefed partners on its emerging toolkit of PHC best practices to continue to encourage their adoption by the now more than 130 communities that have implemented PHC.

Expert faculty for the Institute included San Francisco Project Homeless Connect Director Judith Klain, Mary Carroll from the Office of Portland City Commissioner Erik Sten, City of Norfolk Office to End Homelessness Director Katie Kitchin, City of Knoxville Community Development Manager Michael Dunthorne, and Denver 10-Year Plan Manager Jamie Van Leeuwen. Experts were seated among attendees for the Institute, and available for questions and discussion, including a concluding panel moderated by Director Mangano. As leaders from experienced Project Homeless Connect cities, faculty stressed best practices and strategies in hospitality, immediacy of results, and partnership.

Council Director Mangano noted in his remarks, "National Project Homeless Connect can support initiatives at the local level to achieve the goals of jurisdictional 10-Year Plans and to engage persons experiencing homelessness through Project Homeless Connect events that move them to a trajectory towards greater stability. "

Key toolkit elements included Political Will and Civic Leadership, Expansive partnership, Event Execution, Planning Teams, Site Selection, Volunteers, Resources for Consumers, Consumer Engagement, Media and Communications, and Reporting Data and Results.

At the Institute, the Council oriented interested cities to the Council's new strategy for incorporating these best practices in local Project Connect events. This year, the Council has invited several city experts to convene an "expert panel" to support cities in using best practices in their events. The panel will interact with proposed events to offer the opportunity to become an "official" National Project Homeless Connect event for 2007, providing increased access to technical assistance and support for their events.

The Institute was planned to offer the best level of support to partners in preparation for the Council's 2007 national events in October and December. In October the Council will coordinate its efforts to the United Way Days of Caring events, and in December, the Council will conduct the Council's third annual National Project Homeless Connect event during the week of December 3- 7, 2007.

Pictured here are (top to bottom): plenary panel experts Council Director Mangano, Jamie Van Leeuwen, Judith Klain, Mary Carroll, Katie Kitchin, and Mike Dunthorn; and experts Mary Carroll and Jamie Van Leeuwen in table discussion with attendees.

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS. "Our current homeless shelter system was designed 30 years ago as a response to an emerging problem and has resulted in a system of managing homelessness rather than ending homelessness," stated United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley Senior Vice President for Community Impact Jeffery Hayward, as he announced United Way's new $950,000 investment in Housing First initiatives in fourteen community-based agencies. The new resources represent the largest single investment in the region into the Housing First approach, which seeks to change the way homeless families and individuals are served by placing them in housing as a first step and providing home-based case management. It is based on the premise that individuals and families are more responsive to interventions and support once they are in permanent housing.

Beginning this month, United Way will invest $750,000 in 14 organizations in Boston, Cambridge, Lynn, Lowell, Malden, Quincy and Somerville to expand the work of agencies using the Housing First approach or to enable agencies to shift their homelessness services in this direction. An additional $200,000 will be invested over the course of this fiscal year. United Way's investment will enable programs that are already working to build on their success while enabling other agencies to begin using a Housing First philosophy."

"Jeff Hayward and the United Way are to be commended for a vision that moves beyond simply funding good intentions and well meaning programs to investing in the field tested, evidence-based, and results-oriented innovation of Housing First," indicated Philip Mangano, Executive Director of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. "The United Way has partnered with communities across Massachusetts to create 10-Year Plans to end homelessness for the most disabled and vulnerable. Investing in Housing First is a tangible expression of the United Way's commitment to reduce and end homelessness and to create visible and quantifiable change on our streets, in our neighborhoods, and in the lives of our poorest neighbors." The United Way of America has been partnered with the Council to advance 10-Year Plans and is central to the leadership and support of more than 35 10-Year Plans across the nation.

Housing First is already underway in the Commonwealth, with the FY 2008 budget newly signed by Governor Deval Patrick doubling the investment in the Home and Healthy for Good (HHG) program to $1.2 million. The Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance, lead agency for the Housing First initiative, recently reported on the pilot year of the statewide initiative. MHSA data show that the Commonwealth saves more than $11,000 per year for every individual placed in housing under the effort.

The first HHG housing placements were made in September 2006. As of June 2007, 155 formerly homeless people have been housed, with more than 85% stably housed. In the six months prior to entering housing, 95 participants accounted for 198 emergency room visits, 411 days in inpatient care, and 8,692 nights in emergency shelter. The use of these services decreased substantially following participation in HHG. MHSA has made conservative estimates of the costs associated with these and other services, using data from Blue Cross Blue Shield, Massachusetts Division of Health Care Finance and Policy, Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, and the Massachusetts Departments of Public Health and Transitional Assistance.

The average monthly cost for all services combined per person prior to housing was $2,720, compared to $698 after placement in housing. Taking into account the monthly average program cost of $1,104 per person (which includes both housing and intensive case management), average monthly costs per person are approximately $1,802 per month after housing placement, for a savings to the state of $918 per person per month.

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