Homeless Provider Forum
August 7, 2008
Meeting Minutes
Kelly Lupro, Office on Aging and Homeless Prevention
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A good "how to" guide to access Federal programs Guide to Public and Social Services
http://www.lacehh.org/tpg/index.php.
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Orange County Continuum of Care Community Forum “Counting the People” on
September 16th, 2008. The meeting start time will begin promptly at 1:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Please arrive to the LA Times Meeting Room – 1375 Sunflower, Costa Mesa, CA
92626.This quarter’s forum will focus on the Point in Time Count & Survey and an
update from the Client Management Information System (CMIS). Please RSVP to
Sharon McKeag at [email protected] or 714-288-4007. Please feel free to
pass this information onto those who would benefit from participating in the count.
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NPACH Statement: House Committee Approves HEARTH Act – The House Financial
Services Committee approved H.R. 840, the Homelessness Emergency Assistance and
Rapid Transition to Housing Act (HEARTH), after first adopting a substitute amendment
offered by Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Congresswoman Gwen Moore
(D-WI). As expected, Congresswoman Judy Biggert (R-IL) and Congressman Geoff
Davis (R-KY) later offered an amendment to include children, youth, and families who
are verified as homeless by federal program personnel (including school district liaisons,
Head Start programs, Runaway and Homeless Youth Act programs) in the HUD
definition of homelessness. After an intense and emotional debate, the amendment was
withdrawn in an exchange for a commitment from Full Committee Chairman Frank and
Housing Subcommittee Chairwoman Waters to continue working to improve the HUD
definition of homelessness before the bill moves to the floor in September. We will
continue to fight for these improvements, and are confident that with your help they will
occur. The Committee leadership of both parties also agreed to send a letter to the
Government Accountability Office, next week, requesting a study on expanding the HUD
definition of homelessness.The markup was an important step forward in our ongoing
effort to ensure that the HUD definition of homelessness is expanded to accurately
reflect the full range of people experiencing homelessness in this country. We are
pleased that almost the entire debate was focused on the issue of the HUD definition
and the needs of children, youth, and families. While the Biggert-Davis amendment was
not approved, we are confident that its introduction and the spirited debate will result in
meaningful improvements to HR 840 before it is considered on the House floor. And we
are deeply grateful to Mrs. Biggert and Mr. Davis for their leadership. We also thank
Congressman Andre Carson (D-IN) for his support of the HEARTH Act, and recognize
his late grandmother, Congresswoman Julia Carson (D-IN), for her vision in working with
Mr. Davis to introduce HEARTH.
Dawn Lee, OC Partnership
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National News on Homelessness – The US Interagency Council on Homelessness
reported last week that chronic homelessness decreased approximately 30% across our
country from 2005 to 2007. This is the largest decrease in the nation’s history. 52,000
Americans are now off the streets, out of shelters, and living more productive and stable
lives in housing. While changes in counting methodologies has played a role in the
numbers produced, the Council attributes the reduction to the commitment and political
will invested in 10 Year Plans across the nation and innovative housing initiatives.
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Orange County’s 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness – Work on Orange County’s 10
Year Plan has begun in earnest. Those who’d indicated a desire to participate in the
process have been contacted and informed of their role on the Stakeholders Comment
Group. This group was responsible for nominating individuals for the Working Group
that will take the lead in the strategy development effort. Their work will be available for
feedback that will lead to the construction of the final document. Development meetings
will begin in late August. The goal is to have a draft of the plan toward the end of the
year.
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Legislation – Last week, both the House and Senate passed the Housing & Economic
Recovery Act of 2008, H.R. 3221. The legislation contains many measures to respond to
the nation’s housing crisis, including the creation of a permanent Housing Trust Fund to
increase and preserve the supply of rental housing and homeownership opportunities for
extremely low and very low income families. The legislation also provides $4 billion in
emergency assistance to states and cities for the redevelopment of abandoned and
foreclosed homes. The President has indicated that he will sign the legislation. The
legislation increases the funding level for the McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless
Children and Youth program from $70 million to $100 million, and authorizes emergency
grants to school districts to meet the needs of children and youth who become homeless
due to foreclosure (including rental housing that has been foreclosed). The key
unresolved issue is the HUD definition of homelessness. A coalition of homeless,
housing, education, and children’s groups are supporting a closer alignment between the
HUD definition of homelessness and the definitions used by other federal programs –
the U.S. Department of Education’s Education of Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY)
program, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Runaway and
Homeless Youth, Head Start, and Individuals With Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA)
programs. After much debate, the issue was left unresolved as other advocacy groups
contest the expanded definition but agreement was made to continue to a compromise.
On June 24, the House Financial Services Committee approved H.R. 3329, the Homes
for Heroes Act. The bill will create a new HUD program to provide permanent housing
for low income and homeless veterans, modeled on the HUD 202 Senior Housing
program. It would also authorize 20,000 Section 8 vouchers under the HUD-VASH (HUD
VA Supportive Housing) initiative, to provide housing and services to disabled homeless
veterans. Currently, the program is only authorized to provide 2,500 vouchers.
Approximately 10,000 new vouchers are being issued this year, and it is expected that
10,000 more new vouchers will be issued next year. The bill is expected to pass in the
House and it is hopeful that the Senate will hear it this fall for implementation in 2009.
Shelter Information & Openings
Cassie Eidem with South County Outreach will have two to three openings in their Transitional
Housing Program starting in late August or Early September.
Sharon Halsey-Hoover with Bethany has openings for women in their Transitional Living
program.
The Orange County REstart Program, sponsored and organized by the Orange County chapter
of the Institute of Real Estate Management, provides an amazing 11 week training course that
gives individuals with high school degrees and people skills an opportunity for a career in multifamily residential real estate management and a home. Founded by the Bobbi Jo Lewis
Foundation, our target is homeless abused women with children and homeless families. Aaron
Weiner, Chairman of the Orange County program outlined the program at the July Homeless
Provider Forum. If your shelter or facility is oriented is interested in becoming a REstart
Community Partner and has clients that are well suited to this career opportunity, please contact
Aaron at (714) 850-0085 ext. 20 or email him at [email protected] to get more information.
Katherine Nutter with Orange County Community Housing Corporation has three vacancies for
Section 8 tenants. One, 1 bedroom in Garden Grove and two, 3 bedroom apartments in
Placentia and Cypress.
Toby's House has two openings for pregnant women, at least 18 years old, with or without
children under the age of 5. Any interested client can call during business hours for a phone
intake (949) 661-4408.
Lilly Orozco with Women’s Transitional Living Center has one opening for a large family of six in
their Emergency Program.
Daniel Saunders with Orange County Rescue Mission has 21 openings in their Strong
Beginnings Program.
Hope Family Housing in Buena Park is now open and has 14 openings. Please contact 714247-4379 for further information.
Barbara Nelson with Mary’s Shelter has openings for women under the age of 18 in their
program for pregnant minors.
Jolie Sheppick with Toby’s House has 4 bed openings. Our client requirements are: pregnant,
homeless and a strong desire to become self-sufficient.
Featured Topic: Job Development & Training
Erin Kanaly, Arbor E&T
Erin shared information on the best practices and the R.E.A.C.H. Program from Arbor E&T.
Next Homeless Provider Forum is scheduled for
September 4, 2008 - 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Topic: Caring for the Caregivers