Homeless

November 17, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Today the Senate passed legislation that will increase funding for housing and supportive services for veterans. Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley voted in favor of the measure which was passed as part of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act.

“After serving our nation selflessly and putting their lives on the line for the safety of our citizens, it is completely unacceptable that veterans are sleeping on the streets and not receiving the care and services they deserve,” said Merkley “This funding is an important step forward in helping veterans get off the streets and back on their feet.”    » read more »

Current Veterans Health And Homeless Programs Starved Of Funding And Cannot Handle New Wave Of Returning Soldiers From Afghanistan And Iraq

November 11, 2009 -- U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Robert Menendez today said that current federal veteran’s health and homeless prevention programs are starved for funding and cannot handle the massive wave of traumatized veterans forced to live on the streets. Schumer and Menendez cited a new 2008 Community Homelessness Assessment, Local Education and Networking Groups (CHALENG) report that found that between one-fourth and one-fifth of homeless persons in America is a veteran.    » read more »

November 6, 2009 -- WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-NM), Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and Kit Bond (R-MO) today introduced an amendment that would increase funding to provide transitional housing for homeless veterans, calling it our nation's sacred responsibility to support the men and women who answered America's call to duty.

The amendment would add $6 million to the $144 million already allocated for the Homeless Grant and Per Diem Program through the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations bill. This additional funding would bring the program to its full authorization level of $150 million. The appropriations bill is currently being debated by the full Senate.    » read more »

Five-Year Plan Unveiled at Homeless Summit

November 3, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Today, at the “VA National Summit Ending Homelessness among Veterans,” Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki unveiled the department’s comprehensive plan to end homelessness among Veterans by marshalling the resources of government, business and the private sector.

“President Obama and I are personally committed to ending homelessness among Veterans within the next five years,” said Shinseki. “Those who have served this nation as Veterans should never find themselves on the streets, living without care and without hope.”    » read more »

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3, 2009 – The secretary of veterans affairs today announced the framework of a bold initiative to end homelessness among veterans within five years.

VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki outlined the comprehensive plan to an audience of VA officials, other government representatives and private-sector homeless outreach organizers at the VA National Summit Ending Homelessness Among Veterans here. He called the goal an ambitious one that will take a nationwide collaborative effort to be successful.    » read more »

VA Secretary unveils plan at DC homeless summit

November 3, 2009 -- U.S. Senator Mark Begich today praised a plan released by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Erik Shinseki to end homelessness among veterans by marshalling the resources of the government, business and the private sector. According to the VA, the comprehensive plan includes preventive measures like discharge planning for incarcerated veterans re-entering society, supportive services for low-income veterans and their families, and a national referral center to link veterans to local service providers.    » read more »

Funds to boost comprehensive homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing efforts

BOSTON – Thursday, October 08, 2009 – As part of the Patrick-Murray Massachusetts Recovery Plan to secure the state’s economic future, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick today announced that the state will steer $17.9 million in federal recovery funds to community-based nonprofits throughout the Commonwealth to address the needs of families and individuals who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming so. A full list of awards is attached.    » read more »

Oct. 6, 2009 -- The State of Rhode Island, along with the cities of Providence, Pawtucket, and Woonsocket today announced the distribution of $6.9 million for the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The funds will prevent homelessness, due to the loss of housing and jobs, and will provide assistance to move from emergency shelters into stable housing.

Governor Donald Carcieri noted that with the state's high unemployment rate, agencies are seeing individuals and families who are desperate for assistance. "We will be able to help people before they become homeless and get those who are homeless back on their feet. With winter approaching and our shelters at capacity, this program comes at the right time."    » read more »

Sept. 17, 2009 -- HARRISBURG – Hundreds of Pennsylvania families who are struggling financially will receive critical financial and housing assistance thanks to $22 million in new federal stimulus funds, Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell said today.

“The national economic downturn has caused a significant number of people and families, through no fault of their own, to become homeless or nearly homeless,” said Governor Rendell. “These funds could not have come at a better time. They’ll boost county and local efforts to help those teetering on the edge of homelessness and provide assistance to those who are homeless.”    » read more »

Secretary Donovan Elected New Chair of the Council; HUD and VA announce $75 million for HUD-VASH program to provide rental housing and support for homeless veterans

June 18, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) met today for the first time under the Obama Administration. U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki chaired the meeting, at which U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan was elected rotating Chair for the upcoming year and U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis was elected Vice Chair. U.

S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Melody Barnes, Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, attended the meeting.    » read more »

June 10, 2009 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci today ceremonially signed LD 1127, An Act To Define Services for Maine Runaway and Homeless Youth.

The law establishes a comprehensive program for homeless youth and runaways. The Department of Health and Human Services will enter into performance-based contracts with agencies and organizations to provide street and community outreach, drop-in programs, emergency shelter and transitioning living services. Monitoring will be in place to ensure quality and track rates of homelessness.

“This is a very important and efficient piece of legislation,” Governor Baldacci said. “It provides the oversight while continuing to provide the resources. The law enables us to better address homelessness among our youth.”    » read more »

May 27, 2009 -- FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear, along with Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) Chief Executive Officer Richard L. McQuady, and Kentucky Interagency Council on Homelessness (KICH) Chair Kentucky Sen. Gerald Neal, today announced that Kentucky has applied for more than $18.5 million for a new program to provide rental assistance and services to prevent people from becoming homeless and to help those who are experiencing homelessness.

On Feb. 17, 2009, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which includes $1.5 billion for the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program. In Kentucky, this program is called Kentucky’s Housing and Emergency Assistance Reaching The Homeless (KY HEARTH) Program.    » read more »

May 12, 2009 -- MADISON - Vermont Governor Jim Doyle and State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster announced today that $1.7 million will be available to Wisconsin school districts to support families and students who are homeless. Over half of this funding comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

“The education we provide today will be the strength of our state and nation for decades to come,” Governor Doyle said. “We all need to pull together and make sure all our kids have the best education possible. This funding ensures schools can quickly identify and serve students and families affected by this national economic crisis.”    » read more »

WASHINGTON, Monday, May 11, 2009 — One year after an 8.0 magnitude earthquake killed more than 69,000 people and destroyed an estimated 5 million houses in southwest China, communities are filled with the signs and sounds of recovery. The focus has shifted from putting up prefabricated, transitional shelters and distributing relief items to constructing more permanent, earthquake-resistant homes and helping people work through their emotional trauma.

"The pace of recovery is remarkable, with tens of thousands of houses that the Red Cross is supporting under construction or complete," says David Meltzer, Senior Vice President of International Services for the American Red Cross.    » read more »

Funding renews critical lifeline for hundreds of persons at risk for homelessness

May 8, 2009 -- WASHINGTON - Seven local programs that offer critically needed housing and support services to extremely low-income persons living with HIV/AIDS are being awarded $8 million in grants announced today by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. These grants will help hundreds of persons and their families struggling to find a stable home as they receive the services they need to manage their illnesses.    » read more »