http://npach.org/ 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. en Copyright 2009 Wed, 20 May 2009 13:46:31 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss by email.]]> http://npach.org/2009/05/npach_statement_on_hearth_act_1.html http://npach.org/2009/05/npach_statement_on_hearth_act_1.html Wed, 20 May 2009 13:46:31 -0500 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. ]]> http://npach.org/2009/04/mckinneyvento_reauthorization.html http://npach.org/2009/04/mckinneyvento_reauthorization.html Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:56:03 -0500 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.]]> http://npach.org/2009/04/recovery_act_resources_1.html http://npach.org/2009/04/recovery_act_resources_1.html Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:44:29 -0500 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]]> http://npach.org/2009/04/president_obama_calls_family_h.html http://npach.org/2009/04/president_obama_calls_family_h.html Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:31:56 -0500 Watch the video.]]> http://npach.org/2009/04/homeless_students_profiled_1.html http://npach.org/2009/04/homeless_students_profiled_1.html Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:59:35 -0500 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.]]> http://npach.org/2009/03/called_to_act_by_increase_in_h.html http://npach.org/2009/03/called_to_act_by_increase_in_h.html Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:45:39 -0500 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.]]> http://npach.org/2009/03/npach_executive_director_appea.html http://npach.org/2009/03/npach_executive_director_appea.html Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:37:39 -0500 Video Report News Story CNN: Video Report News Story]]> http://npach.org/2009/03/new_articles_and_videos_on_chi.html http://npach.org/2009/03/new_articles_and_videos_on_chi.html Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:25:52 -0500 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 ]]> http://npach.org/2009/02/good_summaries_of_the_economic.html http://npach.org/2009/02/good_summaries_of_the_economic.html Sun, 22 Feb 2009 18:32:15 -0500 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...]]> http://npach.org/2009/02/continuum_of_care_grants_annou.html http://npach.org/2009/02/continuum_of_care_grants_annou.html Sun, 22 Feb 2009 18:25:47 -0500 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.]]> http://npach.org/2009/02/good_news_for_the_gulf_coast_c.html http://npach.org/2009/02/good_news_for_the_gulf_coast_c.html Sun, 22 Feb 2009 18:23:58 -0500 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. ]]> http://npach.org/2009/02/npach_opposes_massachusetts_plan_to_tighten_shelter_rules_for_homeless_families.html http://npach.org/2009/02/npach_opposes_massachusetts_plan_to_tighten_shelter_rules_for_homeless_families.html Wed, 18 Feb 2009 17:07:12 -0500 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.]]> http://npach.org/2009/02/npach_executive_director_to_ap.html http://npach.org/2009/02/npach_executive_director_to_ap.html Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:06:07 -0500 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.]]> http://npach.org/2009/02/washington_post_highlights_nee.html http://npach.org/2009/02/washington_post_highlights_nee.html Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:52:50 -0500 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. ]]> http://npach.org/2009/02/renters_help_is_on_the_way.html http://npach.org/2009/02/renters_help_is_on_the_way.html Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:30:08 -0500