tag:npach.org,2009://4 2009-05-20T18:49:05Z The National Policy and Advocacy Council on Homelessness is a grass roots anti-poverty organization. Our mission is to ensure that national homelessness policy accurately reflects the needs and experiences of local communities. Movable Type 3.33 tag:npach.org,2009://4.152 2009-05-20T18:46:31Z 2009-05-20T18:49:05Z

Yesterday, Congress passed the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act, re-writing the portion of the McKinney-Vento Act that governs HUD’s homeless assistance programs. President Obama will sign the bill into law today. Over the course of...

Jeremy Rosen by email.]]> tag:npach.org,2009://4.149 2009-04-14T21:56:03Z 2009-04-14T22:53:47Z

Identical legislation to reauthorize HUD's McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Grant programs was recently introduced in both the House and Senate. The bills, H.R. 1877 and S. 808, are available at http://thomas.loc.gov/. Both bills are nearly the same as H.R. 7221 -...

Jeremy Rosen http://thomas.loc.gov/. Both bills are nearly the same as H.R. 7221 - the McKinney-Vento legislation that passed the House in 2008 but did not pass the Senate before the 110th Congress adjourned last year. We have updated our analysis of key issues in McKinney-Vento reauthorization, to reflect H.R. 1877 / S. 808. That document is available here. As indicated in the analysis, we continue to be concerned by several provisions in this legislation, particularly the language codifying a new HUD definition of homelessness. In a time of dramatically rising homelessness among children, youth, and families, the language in these bills does not sufficiently align HUD's definition of homelessness with the definition used by the U.S. Departments of Education, HHS, Justice, and Agriculture. To better meet the needs of these families, we call on Congress to use definition language from the bipartisan H.R. 29 - the Homeless Children and Youth Act of 2009. Information about HCYA, including bill text and a fact sheet, can be found here. We look forward to working with Congress, the Administration, and our advocacy partners to ensure that any final legislation has a definition of homelessness that meets the needs of all children, youth, and families who are experiencing homelessness. ]]> tag:npach.org,2009://4.148 2009-04-14T21:44:29Z 2009-04-14T23:54:37Z

The recent "Recovery Act," also referred to as the "stimulus package," provides states, localities, and nonprofits with significant resources that can be used to prevent and end homelessness. The funding most directly related to addressing homelessness is $1.5 billion dollars...

Jeremy Rosen This category can include people considered homeless by federal agencies such as the Department of Education and HHS, but not by HUD - such as people who are living doubled up or in motels.]]> Federal Government - Recovery.gov HUD's Homelessness Resource exchange/ - for more information on HUD's $1.5 billion in homelessness prevention funding US Department of Education guidance on use of Recovery Act Education for Homeless Children and Youth funds Children's Defense Fund memo on how to access Recovery Act funds for children Policy brief from the National Center on Housing and Child Welfare (NCHCW) on using Recovery Act funds to house child welfare families. ]]> tag:npach.org,2009://4.143 2009-04-14T21:31:56Z 2009-04-14T21:44:47Z

At a recent news conference, President Obama was asked about a recent National Center on Family Homelessness report that one in fifty children in the United States are homeless. The President responded that child and family homelessness is "not acceptable."...

Jeremy Rosen National Center on Family Homelessness report that one in fifty children in the United States are homeless. The President responded that child and family homelessness is "not acceptable." We are pleased to have worked with NCFH on the report and its policy recommendations, and will be working further with NCFH, our long-standing partners at NAEHCY and First Focus, and other children's and education groups - to provide guidance to the White House on how to effectively move towards an end to family homelessness.
Watch CBS Videos Online]]> tag:npach.org,2009://4.147 2009-04-14T19:59:35Z 2009-04-14T20:10:11Z

The NewsHour on PBS did a wonderful profile of homeless students in Green Bay Wisconsin. The story really goes in depth, talking to students, parents, teachers, and school administrators to examine the impact of homelessness on children and their schools....

Jeremy Rosen Watch the video.]]> tag:npach.org,2009://4.140 2009-03-03T19:45:39Z 2009-03-03T20:01:40Z

The City of Boston today unveiled a plan to cut family homelessness in half by 2012. This new initiative will involve saving homes from foreclosure, producing new affordable rental housing units, and purchasing foreclosed properties for use as affordable rental...

Jeremy Rosen Boston Globe story on the new proposal indicates that city officials were shocked into action when the recent homeless count in Boston revealed that the number of homeless children had jumped from 1,540 in 2006 to 2,288 at the end of 2008. We are pleased that the City of Boston has recognized the need to help house vulnerable children and their families. However, we note that the city's count of homeless children is incomplete, as it follows HUD rules by not counting families living in dangerous "doubled up" or motel situations. These families need permanent housing, too - and they are unfortunately being left out of this new plan! Based on this stunning increase in child homelessness, we renew our call for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to repeal new shelter rules for homeless families that would result in currently sheltered families with young children being forced onto the streets.]]> tag:npach.org,2009://4.139 2009-03-03T19:37:39Z 2009-03-03T19:39:42Z

See the video of NPACH Executive Director Jeremy Rosen debating University of Pennsylvania Professor Dennis Culhane, as part of the annual homelessness radio marathon last week....

Jeremy Rosen See the video of NPACH Executive Director Jeremy Rosen debating University of Pennsylvania Professor Dennis Culhane, as part of the annual homelessness radio marathon last week.]]> tag:npach.org,2009://4.138 2009-03-03T19:25:52Z 2009-03-03T19:32:37Z

Both CNN and MSNBC recently covered the crisis of children made homeless by foreclosures - children who are now struggling to get by in school. MSNBC: Video Report News Story CNN: Video Report News Story...

Jeremy Rosen Video Report News Story CNN: Video Report News Story]]> tag:npach.org,2009://4.137 2009-02-22T23:32:15Z 2009-02-22T23:53:29Z

Many organizations have published summaries of key provisions in the economic stimulus plan that recently became law. That's why NPACH has not put out our own summary document. However, we have been getting questions about where to find a good...

Jeremy Rosen Detailed summary of housing provisions - from Citizens Housing and Planning Association Analysis of key housing, human services, education, and tax provisions - from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Includes estimates of funding allocations by state. Table of program funding that benefits children - from First Focus ]]> tag:npach.org,2009://4.136 2009-02-22T23:25:47Z 2009-02-22T23:30:56Z

On Thursday, February 19, HUD announced this year's Continuum of Care grant awards. Details about the awards can be found on the HUD website. We need your help to analyze this year's awards. Please email us with information about how...

Jeremy Rosen on the HUD website. We need your help to analyze this year's awards. Please email us with information about how much money your commmunity received compared to what you were expecting. Was a critical program unfunded? Did your community do better than you were anticipating? Drop us a line...]]> tag:npach.org,2009://4.129 2009-02-22T23:23:58Z 2009-02-22T23:23:51Z

*** Update *** On Friday, February 20, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan announced that the DHAP extension would last 6 months, through August 31, 2008*** While details remain to be worked out, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan announced yesterday that the Disaster...

Jeremy Rosen announced yesterday that the Disaster Housing Assistance Program, which is providing ongoing rental assistance to 31,000 households along the Gulf coast, will not terminate as scheduled on February 28. Instead, a transition period will be established, during which all DHAP voucher holders will have their income reviewed to determine whether they are eligible for a "standard" Section 8 voucher. If the household is eligible, HUD will provide a voucher; if not, assistance will terminate after a period of time still to be determined.]]> In announcing the new plan, Secretary Donovan estimated that approximately half of the 31,000 DHAP recipients would be eligible for permanent vouchers. While the plan would leave the remaining DHAP recipients without ongoing rental assistance, these households do not qualify for Section 8 now, and in most cases likely did not qualify before the 2005 hurricanes. Nevertheless, these are households who have had significant difficulty transitioning into housing they can afford. It is incumbent upon HUD to recognize these challenges and work with all affected households to ensure that they do not become homeless after they leave the DHAP rolls. Family homelessness is rising across the country - HUD must do everything in its power not to create additional homelessness along the Gulf coast. tag:npach.org,2009://4.135 2009-02-18T22:07:12Z 2009-02-18T22:13:50Z

Today NPACH issued a press release opposing a new Massachusetts proposal which would force homeless families to leave shelters if they could not comply with strict new work and savings requirements. In a time of crisis, but also a time...

Jeremy Rosen NPACH issued a press release opposing a new Massachusetts proposal which would force homeless families to leave shelters if they could not comply with strict new work and savings requirements. In a time of crisis, but also a time where the new economic recovery package is offering state and local governments additional resources to assist homeless and other low income people, it is irresponsible for government agencies to take action that will punish young children and their parents who are homeless. Instead, communities should look to solutions that help transition all homeless families into safe, decent, affordable housing. ]]> tag:npach.org,2009://4.134 2009-02-18T00:06:07Z 2009-02-18T00:13:48Z

From 10-11pm eastern on Monday, February 23, NPACH Executive Director Jeremy Rosen will be appearing on the 12th Annual Homelessness Marathon radio show. Rosen will debate University of Pennsylvania Professor Dennis Culhane, on the topic of "What It Means to...

Jeremy Rosen Click here to learn more about the marathon, view the complete marathon schedule, and learn how to listen to the event - both online and on the radio.]]> tag:npach.org,2009://4.133 2009-02-16T21:52:50Z 2009-02-16T22:14:30Z

Today's Washington Post featured a front page story on increased family homelessness in the DC region. The story noted that many of these newly homeless families are renters whose landlords lost their homes due to foreclosure or families where one...

Jeremy Rosen featured a front page story on increased family homelessness in the DC region. The story noted that many of these newly homeless families are renters whose landlords lost their homes due to foreclosure or families where one or both parents have lost a job in the worsening economy.]]> For this reason, we continue to advocate for at least 400,000 new Section 8 rental housing subsidies and $10 billion in funding for the National Housing Trust Fund, as well as strong tenant protections that would allow many tenants in foreclosed properties to remain in their homes. Email us to get involved in this campaign!]]> tag:npach.org,2009://4.132 2009-02-16T21:30:08Z 2009-02-16T22:12:59Z

The Akron Beacon-Journal recently published a powerful article outlining the plight of renters after foreclosures occur. The article features the Neidenthal family of Springfield Township, Section 8 tenants who faithfully paid their rent on time but were evicted with only...

Jeremy Rosen Akron Beacon-Journal recently published a powerful article outlining the plight of renters after foreclosures occur. The article features the Neidenthal family of Springfield Township, Section 8 tenants who faithfully paid their rent on time but were evicted with only ten days notice after the owner of the property they were renting lost the home through foreclosure. The Neidenthals received no notice that the homeowner was having difficulty paying the mortgage. After the foreclosure, the Neidenthals lived in the basement of a family member for three months, before finding new rental housing. The new economic stimulus package offers communities resources to help families like the Neidenthals. ]]> NPACH and other partners secured $1.5 billion on homelessness prevention funds, to be distributed through state and local grantees of HUD's Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) program. These ESG funds can be used to provide families with moving expenses, a new security deposit to replace a deposit not refunded by a landlord, and even short or medium term rental assistance. If this assistance had been available for the Neidenthal family, they would likely have been able to avoid their three months of homelessness. NPACH is also advocating for strong tenant protections, to keep Section 8 voucher holders and other families in their homes for as long as possible after a foreclosure. We are hopeful that Congress will enact tenant protections to serve as a floor, and that many states will choose to go beyond any legislation that is approved at the federal level. ***In the next several days, NPACH will post a detailed summary of key provisions in the economic stimulus package, including the ESG funding referred to in this post.***