The National Alliance to End Homelessness Conference...details and national policy news.

What's going on, in the light of housing and economic challenges? If you'd like to know, here is your dose of policy news and views...

Toward the end of July, I volunteered with The National Alliance to End Homelessness. Attending the conference afforded me with an opportunity to find out just how widespread the issue of homelessness is. Participants gathered from around the country to find out what's going on, and what is on the agenda to do something about it. Workshops included everything from providing better services for homeless children, to how to reach out to chronically homeless individuals. The link between healthcare reform and housing was also apparent. Preventative strategies to stop people from becoming chronically homeless makes moral and financial sense.

Moreover, people with disabilities often slip through the cracks. What about those who are classified as disabled, by law? In Priced Out; THe Housing Crisis for People with Disabilities (2008), it was reported that, "In 1998, there were 44 housing market areas, across 13 states, where a person with a disability needed to pay more than their entire monthly income for housing costs. Ten years later, 219 housing market areas, across 41 states, had modest on-bedroom rents higher than monthly SSI." This hidden housing crisis is growing, not shrinking. What are signs of progress? What costs more, in the long run? Seniors are also another often overlooked population. Attending the conference made it clear that the issue is broad and deep. It's hard to imagine that most individuals wouldn't want to keep abreast of Federal Policy agendas, alternative shelter models, and local policy that comingles with supportive housing.

The last day of the conference, many participants took a trip to The Hill. We spoke to our representatives about the aforementioned issues, in addition to a great deal more. Appropriations are important to meeting the needs of countless Americans. In light of the economic crisis, many Americans need practical help just to survive.

Just to re-cap, here are some major points that offer probative discussion:

1.MCKinney Appropriations- HUD's McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Grants funds numerous homeless assisstance programs, but due to the crisis at end, The National Alliance supports an initiative to increase funding to $2.2. billion.

2. To encourage stability of families released from shelters, The Alliance desires to close the gap between those who can and cannot afford housing. Increasing vouchers would include HUD Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing Programs, as well as funding for 200,000 new vouchers. SERVA, (The Section Eight Voucher Reform Act), could also foster easier use of moving with vouchers, revise how apartments and homes are rented by voucher holders, and streamline the program.

3. Strengthening the health care system by recommending that every American living below the federal poverrty level being elgible for Medicaid.

4. Requesting service funding for SAMHSA homeless programs, which include mental health and substance abuse treatment for homeless families, youth, and individuals.

5. In keeping with President Obama and Department of Veterans' Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki's effort to make ending verteran homelessness a top priority, pass legislation to increase funding to assist veterans who are at risk of becoming homeless. These recommendations include rapid rehousing, emergency services, and also outreach activities.

6.The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act needs increased funding to offer crisis services for homelesss youth. Recommendations include increasing funding by $50 million over the FY 2009.

7. The Services for Ending Long Term Homelessness Act, (SELHA), should be supported by funding for targeting services to permanent supportive housing. This would move individuals experiencing chronic homelessness to move toward recovery, as well as self-sufficiency.

8. Lastly, it was reported that The National Alliance to End Homelessness urges Congress to provide more support to those who often return from jail or prisons. The Second Chance Act was identified as "the first step in developing a more effective federal response to the problem of people leaving corrections without adequate support." The Alliance urges Congress to provide $100 million for the program, int he 2010 fiscal year.


If you would also like to read about HUD Secretary Donovan's speech to attendees, please visit the link that is listed here. http://www.ich.gov/


This concludes our policy and advocacy news for the summer, here at Community Voice Mail, DC.

Thank you for visiting our blog,

Staff