WASHINGTON, DC. "Drop in homeless count seen as 'success story' " was the USA Today headline on July 29 as the national newspaper reported on the announcement that, for the first time in the history of contemporary homelessness in the United States, the federal government had released national data reported by local communities showing a second year of consecutive decline in chronic homelessness with an average 15% decline each year from 2005 to 2007 in the number of persons experiencing chronic homelessness in the nation.

The unprecedented results and re-focused attention on the issue demonstrated over the last several years quickly took hold in other print and on-line media outlets, showing the new traction on the issue related to expanded resources, research, innovation, and documented results in ending homelessness.

"The numbers showing we are on track to meet the Administration's goal of ending chronic homelessness are the numbers we've been waiting to see for 30 years - a decrease in homelessness for our most vulnerable and disabled neighbors, living on our streets, languishing in our shelters, those experiencing chronic homelessness," indicated Philip Mangano, Executive Director of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. "The collaboration of many federal agencies - including HUD, VA, HHS, DOL, SSA - along with Governors, Mayors, County Executives, as well as non-profit and faith-based groups, has created a partnership characterized by increased resources, political will, innovation, and results that has supported the President's priority to reduce and end chronic homelessness. Today's numbers document that the partnership is working." Director Mangano is pictured here with HUD Secretary Preston at the announcement.

Speaking in Washington on Tuesday U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Steve Preston (pictured above) reported at the National Alliance to End Homelessness Conference that the chronically homeless population fell from 155,623 in 2006 to 123,833 in 2007. The data from the Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) are based on reports from a single Point in Time count from 3,800 cities and counties and represent a continued decrease over the 11.5% decline first reported last year.

AHAR for the first time also reports on the scope of homelessness in America over a full-year period, finding that nearly 1.6 million persons experienced homelessness and found shelter between October 1, 2006, and September 30, 2007. This estimate is based on year-long data collected from more than 284,000 persons located in 98 communities nationwide.

WASHINGTON, DC. New housing legislation signed into law this week as the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act includes several provisions that can assist people who are homeless. The new measures are designed to help families facing foreclosure keep their homes, help other families avoid foreclosures in the future, and help communities with empty homes from the foreclosure process. This e-news story focuses on a few of the provisions which have the potential to prevent and end homelessness.

Affordable Housing Trust Fund. A new permanent affordable housing trust fund is to construct, rehabilitate, and preserve 1,500,000 units of housing over the next 10 years. The fund will be financed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac through annual contributions based on a percentage of each company's annual new business. At least 75% of funds must go to extremely low-income families (below 30% of median income or national poverty level). At least 30% of funds must go to families with incomes below the SSI income limit. Resources can be used for construction, rehabilitation, acquisition, preservation incentives (including for manufactured housing and community land trusts) and operating assistance to facilitate affordability. Funds may be used for both rental housing that is affordable and for down payment and closing cost assistance by first time homebuyers. For every $2 of Trust Fund monies, the bill requires matching funds of $1 of state, local and private resources or for every $1 of Trust Fund monies, $1 in matching funds from federal sources.

Resources to Acquire Foreclosed Properties. Amidst the difficulties of the current housing market there are identifiable opportunities being acted on in some communities as innovators and entrepreneurs in the public and private sector identify strategies to use foreclosed stock to meet other housing goals. In Framingham, MA the South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC) is acquiring foreclosed duplex properties with the intent of converting them to housing for up to 30 people who are homeless. SMOC has the largest inventory of housing for homeless people in the state, and owns and manages almost 1200 units in 118 buildings.

In Ventura County, CA, Supervisor Kathy Long, who chairs the County's 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness, convened a meeting to look at opportunities in the market that could meet other housing goals, including meeting the needs of homeless people. Community leaders are looking at the feasibility of converting 100 foreclosed homes in Ventura County into residential opportunities for people who are homeless.

$4 billion in CDBG Funds under the new housing measure will go to communities hardest hit by the foreclosure and subprime crisis to purchase foreclosed homes, at a discount, and rehabilitate or redevelop the homes to stabilize neighborhoods and stem the significant losses in home values of neighboring homes. Foreclosed and rehabilitated homes can be sold or rented to individuals and families whose incomes do not exceed 120 percent of the area median income. At least 25 percent of the funds would be targeted to house low-income and very low-income persons and families -- whose incomes do not exceed 50 percent of area median income. Any profit from the sale, rental, rehabilitation or redevelopment of these properties must be reinvested in affordable housing and neighborhood stabilization.

Housing for Veterans. The measure increases the VA Home Loan limit for high-cost housing areas so that veterans have more homeownership opportunities. It also helps returning soldiers avoid foreclosure and stay in their home by lengthening the time a lender must wait before starting foreclosure, from three months to nine months after a soldier returns from service and providing returning soldiers with one-year relief from increases in mortgage interest rates. The Department of Defense will establish a counseling program for veterans and active service members facing financial difficulties and provides a moving benefit to servicemen and women who are forced to move out because their rental housing was foreclosed on.

Grants to State Education Agencies. The new measure amends the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act as it addresses the education of children and youth experiencing homelessness in public schools by increasing the program's authorization from $70 million to $100 million per year to provide emergency assistance for homeless children and youths and their families who have become homeless due to foreclosures, whether as owners or renters. Grants would be made to state educational agencies and then distributed to local educational entities.

WASHINGTON, DC. In the same week that the Administration announced the latest national results in ending chronic homelessness, the Congress moved forward and the President signed the Housing and Economic Recovery Act creating the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund, and the National Alliance to End Homelessness convened its annual conference in Washington, the House Financial Services Committee approved legislation to consolidate the HUD homeless programs and reauthorize the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. Programs administered by HUD under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act have not been reauthorized since FY 1994.

The House Committee, under the leadership of Chair Rep. Barney Frank and Subcommittee Chair Rep. Maxine Waters, approved HR 840 (HEARTH) with a "Manager's Amendment" from Rep. Waters and Rep. Gwen Moore making several changes to the original bill which was introduced by the late Indiana Democrat Julia Carson and Rep. Geoff Davis. Rep. Andre Carson, who was raised by his late grandmother, Rep. Carson, also spoke. The newly adopted version which will now move to the full House makes changes to eligibility for some HUD resources, consolidates the major homeless programs intro a single program, increases family and prevention funding, and codifies the 30% permanent supportive housing set-aside. The legislation also reauthorizes the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness.

Both some legislators and advocacy organizations had sought broader expansion of the HUD definition of homelessness, which is shared by several other federal agencies. Chair Frank and ranking Republican Spencer Bachus agreed to contact acting Comptroller General Gene Dodaro to request that a Government Accountability Office (GAO) study on the definition of "homeless" take priority over any other study the House panel requests.

PITTSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS. Berkshire County's Barrington Stage Company was the site of the unveiling of the new Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness and Housing Instability in Berkshire County, developed by the Berkshire County Leadership Council which first convened in February, 2007. Daniel C. Dillon, Co-Chair of the Leadership Council welcomed partners to the event with Co-chair State Senator Benjamin B. Downing, Pittsfield Mayor James Rubert, and Mayor John Barrett III of North Adams.

United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano, who previously met with the Mayor and planning group and visited with the local partners regarding a 10 Year Plan, was invited to address the partners at the unveiling of "Getting Home," which sets a goal of 15 new housing units for chronically homeless people, and another 85 housing units to be set aside within the next five years. "You've created a realistic plan in Berkshire County with benchmarks around the single antidote to homelessness," said Director Mangano. "It's a plan that's oriented toward housing the most vulnerable neighbors in the county."

Also addressing the partners for the unveiling were Robert Pulster, Executive Director, Massachusetts Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness, Executive Office of the Governor and Lt. Governor; and Dave F. Capeless, Berkshire County District Attorney. Soldier On's CEO Jack Downing and Executive Vice President Steve Como hosted Director Mangano between the two Massachusetts events. Council Regional Coordinator John O' Brien also participated.

According to the new plan whose development was supported by the One Family Foundation: "This plan is based on the premise that homeless and chronic housing instability exacts too high a cost from individuals, families, and our community systems. It seeks to develop a cost-effective, sustainable, county- wide system to rapidly re-house all who are currently homeless and prevent homelessness for those who are at-risk. It rewards personal accountability and initiative and helps people move to self-sufficiency and independence. It ensures that people will receive the resources and support when they need it and at a level that matches need. It calls for a wide range of actions including some measures that can be taken immediately. It requires local service providers to examine and redesign current prevention, shelter and stabilization services. It asks local and regional providers and state agencies to collaborate and combine resources at unprecedented levels."

Pictured here are Director Mangano; State Senator Benjamin B. Downing, Co-Chair, Berkshire County Leadership Council; Daniel C. Dillon, Co-Chair, Berkshire County Leadership Council; Robert Pulster, Executive Director, Massachusetts Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness; Mayor James Ruberto, Pittsfield, MA; and Mayor John Barrett III, North Adams, MA.

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS. Springfield, Illinois Mayor Timothy Davlin, becoming the newest signatory to America's Road Home as he announced that the initial Phase of 10 Year Plan recalibration in his city is complete, briefed United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano on new steps the city is taking since the initial rollout of their plan in 2003.

Meeting with Mayor Davlin prior to a press event where the Mayor signed America's Road Home and announced new initiatives, Director Mangano and the Mayor discussed recalibration efforts and results in other communities. In conjunction with the completion of the recalibration of the 10 Year Plan, the Mayor's Task Force on Homelessness will transition this year into an oversight committee with a focus on business models, accountability and results. The Springfield Office of Community Relations will staff the newly formulated committee.

"Mayor Davlin deserves credit for moving ahead with recalibration of the 10 Year Plan," indicated Director Mangano. "The Mayor was an early adopter of the innovation of planning, so recalibration is most appropriate. The intent of the recalibration will be to create an actionable business plan framed around business principles and practices. The results will be a plan that is jurisdictionally-led, community- based, business-framed, and results-oriented, a plan focused on the single metric of reducing the number of people in your community experiencing the long misery of homelessness."

Since the completion of the Springfield plan many strategies and innovation have been identified that are leading to decreases in homelessness in cities across the country. Mayor Davlin and Director Mangano discussed how to identify and implement these strategies locally as part of the recalibration to insure it is implementing "what's working" to achieve results. The recalibration will insure that all community stakeholders, including private sector leadership, will create a business oriented plan with quantifiable, measurable outcomes based on innovative strategies. Progress on the plan benchmarks will be reported regularly to the community through the Ending Homelessness Scorecard.

Pictured here at the pre-meeting are (left to right): Mayor Davlin, Jim Donelan, Executive Assistant to the Mayor, Sandy Robinson, Director of Community Relations, City of Springfield, Ernie Slottag, Communications Director, City of Springfield, and Director Mangano.

Director Mangano also addressed the Chamber of Commerce in Springfield where he indicated the importance in other jurisdictions of engaging the business community as leaders and partners in the recalibration of the plan. Sarah Wolin, Director of Communications for the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce and Sandy Robinson, Director of Community Relations for the City of Springfield introduced Director Mangano.

While in Springfield, Director Mangano participated in a Community Forum attended by about 250 community partners at the Dove Conference Center, St. John's Hospital. Director Mangano also visited the hospital emergency room staff as well as the city's Rapid Response Team, and St. John's Breadline to talk with staff about the impact of homelessness in their facilities.

Just prior to the Springfield Community Forum, Director Mangano met with members of Homeless United for Change (HUC), currently and formerly homeless persons, as well as other community members that have joined HUC at 1st Presbyterian Church. In their discussions, they agreed that housing was the single most important step in ending their homelessness. HUC is advocating for a Housing First approach to end chronic homelessness in Springfield. Members of HUC also attended the Mayor's Press event in the morning and were well represented at the Community Forum.

Mayor Davlin announced several initiatives related to the 10 Year Plan. Washington Street Mission is close to completing a $60,000 renovation that will allow it to expand its Day Center services. This expansion includes new shower/changing facilities, expanded restrooms and a laundry area.

Fifth Street Renaissance/Springfield Housing Authority have partnered on a planned rehabilitation of the old All Star Inn Motel on East Cook Street to provide 19 Single Room Occupancy (SRO) affordable housing units and an on site resource center for residents. Fifth Street Renaissance has been selected for funding for the construction of a 15 bed Disabled Veterans facility that will have homeless veterans as a focus.

The Springfield Housing Authority applied and was successfully awarded funds through the Illinois Housing Development Authority's (IHDA) Rental Housing Support Program. In collaboration and partnership with Abundant Faith Ministries, Fifth Street Renaissance, Helping Hands and M.E.R.C.Y. Communities units were expanded by 19 for low and moderate income families.

Pictured here at top are (left to right): Mary Stone, Executive Director, MERCY Communities; Gloria Sampson, Director, Abundant Faith Supportive Services; Major Paul Logan, Salvation Army; Ken Mitchell, Executive Director, Washington Street Mission; Adelle Nevitt, Resource Care Manager, Mental Health Centers of Central IL; Cindy Kiriakos, Marketing & Training Supervisor, Mental Health Centers of Central IL; Rose Thomas, Executive Director, Options, Inc.; Archie Ford, Shelter Director, Salvation Army; Barb Olson, Homeless United for Change; Billie Aschmeller, Homeless United for Change; Jackie Newman, Executive Director, Springfield Housing Authority; Brenda Johnson, Executive Director, Helping Hands, Inc. - Co-Chair, Heartland Continuum of Care; Penny Harris, Executive Director, Fifth Street Renaissance, Inc.; Sandy Robinson, Director of Community Relations, City of Springfield; Director Mangano; and Mayor Davlin. Council Regional Coordinator John O'Brien also participated in the Springfield visit.

SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS. Soldier On, the regional Massachusetts program for homeless veterans featured in the "20 in 20" e-news innovations series, has announced a new partnership with local law firm Robinson Donovan. Soldier On is a nonprofit organization based at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center campus in Northampton which provides programs that help veterans with education and job training and treatment. Robinson Donovan will provide Soldier On with legal support and marketing resources for its initiatives.

United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano, who has participated in Soldier On event and was invited to the announcement event, met with Soldier On President and Chief Executive Officer John F. Downing and Jeffrey L. McCormick, managing partner at Robinson Donovan. Director Mangano noted that the partnership is part of a national trend in which business volunteers into its area of expertise to end homelessness, targeting specific resources and talents to the goal. "Jeff and his team are volunteering to reinforce on the front lines all that Soldier On has established," he said.

According to Executive Vice President Steve Como, Soldier On operates transitional living facilities for homeless veterans in Northampton and Pittsfield. The organization is moving toward the creation of limited equity housing for homeless veterans in Pittsfield and eventually Leeds. Legal support and strategy provided by Robinson Donovan will include the limited equity housing projects as well as veteran-owned businesses.

Council Regional Coordinator John O' Brien, who represents the Council on the VA Secretary's Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans, also participated.

Pictured here are (left to right): Jeffrey McCormick, Principal Partner, Robinson Donovan, P.C.; Director Mangano; and Jack Downing, President and CEO, Soldier On.

TUCSON, ARIZONA. The Tucson Planning Council for the Homeless expected approximately 100 homeless individuals to attend Tucson's recent inaugural Project Homeless Connect event at Trinity Presbyterian Church. When over 100 persons arrived in the first hour, volunteers were quickly dispatched to duplicate more registration and exit forms and buy more cases of water.

By the end of the Project Homeless Connect event, approximately 250 persons had received services, including 50 who obtained identification cards from the Department of Motor Vehicles.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Field Office Director Phyllis Lim (shown below at left) was on hand for the event to welcome elected officials and members of the press. Ruben Betancourt, Debbie Debroeck, and Robert Webber of the Tucson HUD Office served as volunteer greeters, conducted registration and exit interviews, and assisted with food services. Regional Interagency Council on Homelessness Coordinator Eduardo Cabrera represented the Council.

Planning your first Project Homeless Connect? Looking for best practices in getting results for homeless consumers, eliminating lines and waiting, creating new partnerships, changing the way business is done in your community?

Mark your calendar for August 5 for the National Project Homeless Connect Best Practices Colloquy. Expert practitioners from the public and private sectors from experienced and successful Project Homeless Connect cities across the country will share their strategies and results on-line as you listen and ask questions.

It's called a "webinar," and it will allow you and your local partners to take part in a live, on-line web conference. All you need is a phone and internet access - no travel funds required! You and your local partners will not want to miss this live, on-line event from 1:00 - 2:30 pm Eastern on August 5.

With over 170 cities across the nation, in Canada, and Australia convening Project Homeless Connect events, there's a lot to know about Best Practices. Peer-to-peer support has proven to be critical for results-oriented Project Homeless Connect events, and this webinar will help you to learn what makes a successful Connect event.

Expert faculty will include a trio of partners from Springfield, Massachusetts who will share their diverse views: Community 10 Year Plan Champion and business leader Bob Schwarz, City 10 Year Plan Point Person Gerry McCafferty, and Faith-Based Project Homeless Connect Chair Pastor Greg Dyson. You'll also hear from experienced jurisdictional experts Jamie van Leeuwen from Denver, Katie Kitchin from Norfolk, and Cathy ten Broeke from Minneapolis.

Interested? Send your complete contact information by email to nphc@usich.gov to receive your invitation! You'll receive within 24 hours complete registration information. Then we'll keep you posted on the program, access instructions, and more!

For the first time in the history of contemporary homelessness in the United States, the federal government this week released national data reported by local communities showing a second year of consecutive decline in chronic homelessness with an average 15% decline each year from 2005 to 2007 in the number of persons experiencing chronic homelessness in the nation. A statement from the White House recognized and affirmed the federal policy direction and leadership that have contributed to the national partnership with every level of government and the private sector to realize the new results. Excerpts from the White House statement follow.

"At the beginning of his Administration, President Bush set a goal to end chronic homelessness in America. Today, Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Preston reported that the Administration has continued to make progress on this goal. The Department of Housing and Urban Development's Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress reports that chronic homelessness decreased an average of 15% per year between 2005 - 2007 and demonstrates that targeted, focused resources can achieve measurable results . . .

"President Bush also appreciates the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness' leadership in convening 20 federal agencies to work together, using increased federal resources to reach the most vulnerable and disabled of our neighbors and end their homelessness. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Peake continues to do an excellent job in leading the Council and specifically strengthening the VA's support for projects that serve and target homeless veterans. VA expects to spend more than $300 million this year in programs to assist homeless veterans.

"The President will continue to direct his Administration to make measurable progress on the streets and in the shelters of our communities to build on this momentum."
The White House Press Secretary

"Good news on homelessness: more resources, more political will, more private sector involvement. Good news for those of us who have our sleeves rolled up, our hearts opened up, and our minds sharpened up, know that rhetoric won't get the job done.

"We're committed to the other three R's, beyond rhetoric, of our efforts on homelessness - Research, Resources, and Results. Resources. More than ever before from Washington, from your communities. Research that now tells us that we're making progress.

"And results. Just this week in numbers collected from across the country, we learned of the largest reduction in homelessness in our nation's history. Literally hundreds of thousands of years of homelessness ended. Fewer in our emergency rooms, in our doorways, in our libraries. The trajectory is in the right direction for the first time in a quarter century."
Philip F. Mangano, Executive Director
United States Interagency Council on Homelessness

email: usich@usich.gov

web: http://www.usich.gov