WASHINGTON, DC. For the first time in the history of contemporary homelessness in the United States, the federal government has released national data reported by local communities showing a 12% decline in the number of persons experiencing chronic homelessness in the nation. At a press conference today at the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and in conjunction with national media attention, including a USA Today article, HUD Secretary and former United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Chair Alphonso Jackson reported that the chronically homeless population fell from 175,914 in 2005 to 155,623 in 2006. The data are based on reports from a single day from 3,900 cities and counties, of which more than 1,500 reported a decrease over one year. Secretary Jackson is pictured here at the press conference (HUD photo).

"President Bush strongly believes that we can help to reduce chronic homelessness in America with good policy and sufficient funding," said a statement released by the White House Press Secretary. "Today, we're learning that his leadership on this issue is paying off." The statement continued: "Because of the Administration's commitment to providing permanent housing solutions for homeless individuals, there are nearly 20,000 fewer persons living on our streets this year."

Noting that the President has requested $1.6 billion for HUD's homeless programs for the FY 2008 budget - representing a 55 percent increase in funding over 2001 levels - the press statement concluded: "We will continue to help the most vulnerable in our society find housing and other services as we work towards the President's goal of eliminating chronic homelessness."

"While we have a lot of work ahead of us to eliminate chronic homelessness in America, these numbers show remarkable progress is being made," said Secretary Jackson. "HUD and local communities are increasingly providing permanent housing solutions and breaking a vicious cycle of homelessness for those who have lived on the streets as a way of life."

"These are the numbers we've been waiting to hear for a quarter of a century," stated Council Executive Director Philip Mangano. "This Administration, in partnership with the Congress, has made record resources available through HUD and other federal agencies for six consecutive years. The national partnership created by the Council of mayors, county executives, and governors has used those HUD housing-focused resources along with new local resources to invest in strategies that focus on housing and supports. The result - the first decrease in memory."

"Fewer of our most vulnerable and disabled neighbors are living on the streets or languishing in shelters. Increased resources, innovative initiatives, and a national partnership of every level of government with the private sector are the ingredients of a new strategy that is making an impact across the country," he said. "Mayors and county executives deserve much credit as do agencies who have stepped up to create housing. We are moving beyond managing the crisis to ending the disgrace of homelessness. That's good for the homeless person, good for the quality of life in our communities, and good for the taxpayer."

In his remarks, Secretary Jackson noted that the President had set the goal of ending chronic homelessness early in his Administration and that the announcement of reduced numbers is evidence that the hard work of creating "serious and sustainable assistance" to reach the most vulnerable people on the streets was paying off. The Secretary noted the constructive and successful bi-partisan, multi- governmental, public-private partnership at work in communities to achieve these results.

HUD Deputy Assistant Secretary for Special Needs Mark Johnston noted the important role of research in shaping the goal to end chronic homelessness first established under then HUD Secretary Mel Martinez, who was the first Chair of the revitalized United States Interagency Council on Homelessness in 2002 and cited as one factor in the new results the Interagency Council's partnership with mayors and other jurisdictional officials. Ann Oliva, Director of the Office of Special Needs Assistance Programs also took part in the briefing.

"There's much more to be done," indicated Director Mangano. "But today's report moves beyond conjecture and anecdote to data and research and offers hope that new strategies based on business principles and innovations are creating a tipping point to end a national disgrace once thought to be intractable. Most importantly, in moving beyond simply servicing homeless people to solving their homelessness, the visible and quantifiable change on our streets is re-moralizing our nation to bring an end to this human tragedy."

email: usich@usich.gov

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