LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY. Mayors and City officials from across Kentucky gathered last week in Louisville for the latest in a series of statewide mayoral summits where the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness has joined state and city partners to focus on the creation of 10-Year Plans. Building on the vision and action steps of the State’s 10-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness unveiled by Governor Ernie Fletcher in January 2006, Kentucky Housing Corporation, Kentucky League of Cities, and the City of Louisville joined forces to bring the Commonwealth’s Mayors together to focus on 10- Year Plans. Kentucky Housing Corporation CEO Ben Cook, Morehead Mayor Bradley Collins, President of Kentucky League of Cities, and Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson welcomed partners who included Lt. Governor Steve Pence, Ashland Mayor Stephen Gilmore, Richmond Mayor Connie Lawson, Bowling Green Mayor Elaine Walker, and Frankfort Mayor William I. May, Jr.

Lt. Governor Pence welcomed all Mayors and jurisdictional representatives and encouraged them to partner with the State and Interagency Council in creating 10-Year Plans.

United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano, invited to keynote the Summit, told the partners, “You are seeing the result of business planning in your State in the Governor’s Plan and in the statewide substance abuse initiative. These are ambitious steps that are predicated on change and outcomes. They are part of the new standard of expectation on homelessness all across our country, the national partnership where visible and measurable change is expected.”

Kentucky’s Council on Homeless Policy was created after Kentucky participated in two Federal interagency Policy Academies which brought together State agencies and nonprofits to coordinate policy decisions. As a result of the Academies, Governor Ernie Fletcher tasked the Kentucky Council on Homeless Policy to develop a 10-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness, which was coordinated with the Cities of Louisville, Lexington and Bowling Green, as well as the Northern Kentucky Area Development District, in a process that included 12 community forums held across the State.

In announcing the Plan in January, Governor Fletcher stated, “Thanks to all the hard work in developing this plan, Kentucky is ready to do our share in President George W. Bush’s and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness’s goal to end chronic homelessness across the nation within a ten-year period.” The Governor’s Plan spelled out a financing plan for the creation of 1,000 transitional housing units to be accomplished through the statewide Recovery Kentucky initiative. Financing for this initiative includes a $2.5 million annual allocation of Low Income Housing Tax Credits from Kentucky Housing, which will generate a total equity investment of approximately $20 million for construction costs. Operational funding includes approximately $4 million from GOLD’s Community Development Block Grant program and approximately $3 million from the Department of Corrections. The Plan also set a goal of creating 2,400 units of permanent supportive housing. A Memorandum of Understanding signed by representatives from the Governor’s office and State departments has reinforced the commitment of State agencies to facilitate interagency coordination, and broaden collaborative efforts, especially in the Plan’s call for better prevention through discharge planning.

Also present for the Summit were United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Louisville Field Office Director Krista Mills, and Council Regional Coordinator Michael German. Pictured here are Ben Cook, Kentucky Housing Corporation; Krista Mills, Louisville HUD Field Office Director; Lt. Gov. Steve Pence; and Director Mangano.

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HENDERSON, KENTUCKY. Led by Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher, federal, state, and local partners broke ground last week for the first of a dozen new residential recovery facilities targeted to reduce the state’s drug and homeless problems. The Women’s Addiction Recovery Manor (W.A.R.M.) in Henderson will provide counseling, support and hope for women recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. Garry D. Watkins, President of Wabuck Development Company, welcomed partners to the event.

The development is part of Governor Fletcher’s Recovery Kentucky initiative, a joint effort by the Governor’s Office for Local Development, the Department of Corrections, the Office of Drug Control Policy, and Kentucky Housing Corporation to build housing recovery centers across the state targeted to persons experiencing homelessness. Each center will use a recovery program model that includes peer support, daily living skills training, job responsibilities and challenges to practice sober living.

Partners present for the event included Kentucky Housing Corporation Chair Don Ball, Henderson Mayor Henry Lackey, Henderson County Judge Executive Sandy Watkins, Father J. Ed Bradley of Holy Name of Jesus Church, who has spearheaded the WARM project, local businessman Dale Sights who will chair the Board of the new Center, Rev. John Conn, Dr. and Mrs. Tom Logan who donated land for the center, Federal Home Loan Bank Senior Vice President Carol Peterson, and Ohio Valley National Bank President Jerry Wisher.

Recovery Kentucky plans to develop recovery centers across the State to provide housing and recovery services for up to 1,000 people initially, with a center planned in each Congressional district. According to Kentucky officials, the model has been demonstrated successfully by both The Hope Center in Lexington and The Healing Place in Louisville and was named "A Model That Works" by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. W.A.R.M., which will be developed by The Shelter for Women and Children, Inc., with help from Wabuck Development Company, Inc., and will serve as many as 100 women at a time.

 

 

GALES FERRY, CONNECTICUT. “This is precisely the kind of regional effort that will attack the problem of homelessness comprehensively rather than trying to deal with it by setting up stop- gap emergency measures in the winter months . . . the plan deserves our support.” This affirmative editorial run by the The Day, the New London, Connecticut newspaper on the day prior to last week's kickoff announcement of the regional 10-year planning process, lent public support to the effort.

In an impressive display of public and private leadership, Federal, state and local elected officials joined over 50 local business and community leaders, as well as representatives from the Mohegan, Eastern Pequot and Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nations to kick off the Southeastern Connecticut 10- Year Plan last week at the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut. United Way President Janet Pearce and Stonington Warden Andrew Maynard, who is also Vice-chair of the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments, will chair the Steering Committee for the Plan which involves more than 20 jurisdictions. Bank of America, Dime Bank, and Thames Valley Council for Community Action are investing $15,000 to support plan development.

United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Council Executive Director Philip Mangano, who was invited to address the partners, told those assembled, “These Mayors, Selectpersons, City Councilors, and City Managers all have individual commitment sufficient to make your region take its place in the forefront of the mission to end homelessness. But not only are they committed, they are committed to a multi-jurisdictional partnership. And I also want to commend the participation of Tribal Nations in this plan. That alone is a best practice worthy of replication across our country."

Elected officials attending the kick off included Congressman Rob Simmons; State Representative Kevin Ryan; City of Groton Mayor Dennis Popp; Town of Groton Mayor Harry Watson; Ledyard Mayor Susan Mendenhall; Norwich City Manager Bob Zarnetske; New London City Councilor Kevin Cavanaugh; Stonington Selectman Nicholas Mullane; Bozrah Selectman Keith Robbins and Chair of the Southeastern Connecticut; and Council of Governments Executive Director Jim Butler. Mike Rosenkrantz, Executive Director of the Alliance for Living, who played a key role in the regional commitment leading to the event, was also present, along with Council Regional Coordinator John O'Brien.

Pictured here are (left to right): Norwich City Manager Bob Zarnetske; Ledyard Mayor Susan Mendenhall; United Way President Janet Pearce; Bozrah Selectman Keith Robbins; New London City Councilor Kevin Cavanaugh; Stonington Warden Andrew Maynard; Director Mangano; Groton Mayor Dennis Popp; Representative Kevin Ryan; Groton Mayor Harry Watson; Stonington Selectman Nicholas Mullane; and Council of Governments Executive Director Jim Butler.

 

 

MADISON, WISCONSIN. Madison and Dane County, Wisconsin took their state’s motto of “Forward’ to heart last week, as the jurisdictions unveiled the first 10-Year Plan in the Badger State. The public release of Housing for All, A Community Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness in Dane County also positioned Madison as the 33rd state capital to commit to a 10- Year Plan. The Plan commits to create a Housing First system that will take priority over emergency shelter and serve 360 households, with housing strategies to reach 300 individuals living on the streets, 60 unaccompanied youth, and 300 individuals being discharged from public care. The Plan will also seek to develop more effective street- level services and expand essential services such as transportation, showers, storage, and voice mail.

Stressing collaboration and the role of intergovernmental planning, Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk and United Way of Dane County President Leslie Ann Howard joined homeless services providers at Porchlight, a local program. "With our community working together and focusing efforts, we can change the lives and improve the future for homeless individuals and families in our community," stated Mayor Cieslewicz.

"As United Way has focused our work to reduce homelessness around strategies that have a lasting impact, we have seen real progress," stated United Way President Howard, who has led United Way's effort to focus on community priorities as listed in the Agenda for Change. "I am excited that with this strong partnership and this plan, we will create a solution locally to the problem of homelessness."

The Plan also affirms the importance of measurable outcomes to assure that strategies move the community toward success in addressing critical needs of housing and services and remain open to needed changes that will keep the plan a “living document” responsive to the community. Primary authors of the Plan were Sue Wallinger of the City of Madison; Liana Escott of Dane County, Adam Smith of Porchlight, Nan Cnare of United Way of Dane County, and Gayle Ihlenfeld of YWCA of Madison, Inc.

 

 

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA. “Together, you form a national All-Star team of government officials, housing leaders, corporate executives and policy experts. You're a great source of expertise, and a great source of inspiration,” stated Freddie Mac President Eugene McQuade as he opened the recent Fairfax County, Virginia "Community Summit to End Homelessness: Creating a Blueprint for Success.” The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, with sponsorship from Freddie Mac and the Freddie Mac Foundation, recently hosted the Summit which brought together partners from the public sector, business, philanthropic, nonprofit and faith communities to contribute to the plan which is due to the Board of Supervisors later this year.

“There are many reasons why people end up on the streets. But the homeless all have the same desire. As Fortune magazine put it just this week, they don't want a 12-step program or a bed in a shelter. What they want is a room of their own," said Mr. McQuade. The Summit agenda reflected both a commitment to housing solutions and the recognition of political will that is driving results in other 10-year plan cities and counties around the country. Panels addresses “Bringing People Home: Housing First to End Homelessness,” a data-driven, performance- based philosophy for programs and practices that focus on prevention and quickly moving people out of shelters into housing, and “Making It Work: Community Commitment to End Homelessness,” policies and strategies that community, public and private leaders have used to build support for ending homelessness.

National Alliance to End Homelessness President Nan Roman delivered a keynote address to attendees, discussing emerging strategies to end homelessness, including the roles of business, government, faith- based and nonprofit organizations. Enterprise Community Partners' (formerly The Enterprise Foundation) Bart Harvey also spoke.

"Homelessness is a problem across the United States," said Board of Supervisors Chair Gerald E. Connolly in opening remarks. But in a county "where the median household income is $88,133 annually and six Fortune 500 companies sit in our back yard, we as a community actually have the resources to fix it." Fairfax County is the most populous county in Virginia, with a population of over 985,000 people, larger than that of seven states (Alaska, Delaware, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming). Deputy County Executive Verdia L. Haywood estimated that the County spends $12-13 million annually in local, state and federal funds to address homelessness.

 

 

NEW YORK CITY. Calling New York’s City’s newly designated Commissioner of Homeless Services “the most innovative human services administrator in the nation,” and citing Philadelphia’s results in dramatically reducing chronic homelessness over the last several years, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg last week announced that he had successfully recruited the City of Brotherly Love’s results-oriented point person, Deputy Managing Director Robert Hess, to become New York’s new Commissioner of Homeless Services on May 1. Mayor Bloomberg announced the appointment at a City Hall press conference where he stressed the importance of viewing homelessness as a solveable problem where increasing prevention and housing solutions are key.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Hess stated, "I am proud of the results that we have been able to achieve in Philadelphia over the past five years, including our results in ending homelessness through supportive housing in the federal Collaborative Initiative. Imagine, people who used to spend years walking our streets now live in their own apartments. Mayor Bloomberg and Deputy Mayor Gibbs have set the goal in front of us to continue the momentum and produce results. I look forward to continuing to work in partnership with other City leaders and the Interagency Council, which has done so much to create a spirit of national partnership and an expectation of results.”

During his tenure in Philadelphia, Mr. Hess developed the City's 10-year plan, reduced the number of individuals living on the streets by over 60% and created new Housing First programs for chronically homeless individuals. He was responsible for overseeing Adult Services, which includes the Office of Emergency Shelter and Services, the City's personal care boarding home, the Office of HIV Planning, Philadelphia Housing Support Services, and a number of collaborative programs with other City departments. In this position he was responsible for supporting his staff, from front-line workers to division directors, to ensure that the mission of Adult Services is carried out each and every day: to assist individuals and families to move toward independent living and self-sufficiency.

Prior to his work in Philadelphia, Mr. Hess was President & CEO of the Center for Poverty Solutions, Executive Director of the Maryland Food Committee and Action for the Homeless prior to the merger of the two organizations. He played a key role in the start-up of the Maryland Center for Veteran Education and Training, serving as President and CEO, and also worked his way up to Executive Director of Economic Enterprises during a 16 year stint with the Disabled American Veterans of Maryland. He was appointed by former Mayor Schmoke to the Baltimore City Homeless Advisory Board, by Maryland Governor Glendening to the Council on Block Grants, and by former Maryland Governor Schaefer to the Vietnam and Disabled Veterans Business Resource Council.

Since the Mayor announced his Plan in June 2004, the City has reported a 23% decrease in the number of homeless children and a 10% decline in the number of homeless families. Mr. Hess will fill the position left vacant when former Commissioner Linda Gibbs was tapped by the Mayor to become the City’s seventh Deputy Mayor, overseeing the Department of Homeless Services, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Human Resources Administration, Administration for Children’s Services, Department for the Aging, Health and Hospitals Corporation, Department of Correction, Department of Probation, Department of Juvenile Justice, Office of Health Insurance Access, and the HIV Health and Human Services Planning Council.

Pictured here are (left to right) Deputy Mayor Gibbs, Mr. Hess, Mayor Bloomberg, and Jennifer Jones Austin, appointed as Family Services Coordinator by the Mayor.

 

 

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS. Over 1,000 partners from federal, state, and local government, non-profit providers, researchers, consumers, and family members gathered last week in Boston for the National GAINS Center’s 2006 Conference, System Transformation at the Interface of the Criminal Justice and Mental Health Systems.

The conference heard keynote remarks from officials from three key agencies focused on GAINS Center issues: A. Kathryn Power, Director of the Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Domingo S. Herraiz, Deputy Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice and Philip Mangano, Director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. Policy Research Associates President and GAINS Center Director Dr. Henry Steadman and Vice President Pam Robbins welcomed attendees.

The National Gains Center is focused on helping states create collaborations to expand access to community-based services for adults diagnosed with co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders and in contact with the criminal justice system. The Center emphasizes the provision of consultation and technical assistance to help communities achieve integration among these systems for the individual. The GAINS acronym translates as gathering information, assessing what works, interpreting and integrating the facts, networking, and stimulating change.

 

 

WASHINGTON, DC. The White House Office of Faith- Based and Community Initiatives has two new Targeted Workshops scheduled over the next two months, to support experienced organizations with a track record of applying for government funds, particularly those that have not yet been successful. The targeted workshops will offer grant writing tutorials for certain Federal grant programs that present the greatest opportunity for faith-based and community organizations.

Each event will also provide an opportunity to inform State and local officials about equal treatment regulations and other central elements of the White House Faith-Based and Community Initiative. The conferences and workshops are being supported by the United States Departments of Justice, Agriculture, Labor, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Education, Commerce, and Veterans Affairs, the Small Business Administration, and the Agency for International Development.

Cincinnati, Ohio will be the site of the free Targeted Workshop scheduled for 8 am – 5 pm on Friday, May 812, 2006, and Las Vegas will be the June 6 site. Registration is open until May 8 for Cincinnati and will open soon for the Las Vegas event. On-line registration is available for up to four representatives for interested organizations. The conference hotel for Cincinnati is the Hyatt Regency. For detailed information, visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/fbci/

Have you looked at the resources of the faith-based centers established in a dozen federal agencies to date? The Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Education, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Justice, Labor, and Veterans Affairs, as well as the Small Business Administration and Agency for International Development all have such centers. Visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/fbci/ to link to these centers.

REMINDER: The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) currently has underway its annual competition for targeted Homeless Assistance Grants. Materials on the competition and the changes to application and planning requirements for 2006 are available at http://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/nofa06/grpco c.cfm A second webcast on the competition will be broadcast on-line on April 26 at 11 am Eastern time.

WASHINGTON, DC. Current grantees under a targeted homeless treatment program sponsored by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) may apply for up to $200,000 in additional funding to continue treatment for people experiencing chronic homelessness. Grantees under the Development of Comprehensive Drug/Alcohol and Mental Health Treatment Systems for Persons Who are Homeless program may apply for funds to expand or enhance grant activities for a one-year period. Applications are due by May 2, 2006.

The purpose of this program supplement is to enable current grantees to expand and strengthen their treatment services for persons experiencing chronic homelessness and who have substance abuse disorders, mental illnesses, or co-occurring conditions. The purpose of the Treatment for Homeless grant supplements is to link treatment services with housing programs, primary care, employment, veterans assistance.

Eligibility for this funding opportunity is limited to current Treatment for Homeless grantees whose awards began in FY 2004 and FY 2005. The estimated funding available is $4 million. For more information, visit http://www.samhsa.gov/grants06/RFA/sm06_009_sup p.aspx

 

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