A program to help inmates get into housing, when most landlords
refuse to rent to people with criminal records!
Monday, October 29, 2007
All San Franciscians Treated Equal?
With out cash, housing or restroom facilities San Francisco is about to spend more money on poor people: TO PROSECUTE THEM!!
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
S.F. cop uses free speech, faces suspension
One S.F.P.D. officer in trouble for letter about Golden Gate Park sweeps.
(First story only.)
(First story only.)
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Legislative Update: HUD Definition of Homelessness
BACKGROUND:
The "Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act (HEARTH)," H.R. 840, reauthorizes the McKinney-Vento Act’s HUD Homeless Assistance Programs. H.R. 840 provides greater decision making at the local level and more closely aligns the HUD definition of homelessness with other federal agency definitions (including the U.S. Department of Education).
In contrast, the Senate bill, S. 1518, the Community Partnership to End Homelessness Act (CPEHA), contains a complex, restrictive definition of homelessness that requires those who are doubled-up or in motels to make multiple moves in order to gain eligibility and codifies permanent housing set-asides that deny communities the ability to meet the needs of all homeless populations that they identify.
UPDATE:
Two new documents are now available regarding the HUD McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act reauthorization. Please find attached:
1. A "Fact Check" on the HUD definition of homelessness. This document sets the record straight on the effort to update HUD definition of homelessness.
2. An organizational sign-on letter of more than 40 child and youth organizations supporting an updated HUD definition of homelessness.
NPACH Alert: Support the HEARTH Act - House Hearings Held, New Materials Available
Yesterday, the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity of the House Financial Services Committee held its second hearing on reauthorization of the HUD McKinney-Vento Act Homeless Assistance Grant Programs.
Four new documents are now available regarding the HUD McKinney-Vento Act reauthorization:
1. NPACH testimony from the October 4 McKinney-Vento reauthorization hearing.
2. A "Fact Check" on the HUD definition of homelessness. This document sets the record straight on the effort to update HUD's definition of homelessness.
3. A "Fact Check" on HUD funding and the "chronic homelessness initiative" that clarifies key points in the debate.
4. An organizational sign-on letter from 44 child and youth organizations supporting an updated HUD definition of homelessness.
These materials, along with a brief comment on the hearing, are available at the NPACH website, at: www.npach.org
ACTION NEEDED:
Please ask the House to take action on the HEARTH Act, H.R. 840. To find out if your Member of Congress has signed on to H.R. 840, visit: H.R.840
If your Representative is a co-sponsor, please call their office to thank them, and ask that they urge House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank and Housing Subcommittee Chairwoman Maxine Waters to pass the HEARTH Act and bring it to the House floor.
If your Representative is not a co-sponsor, please ask them to become one - the more co-sponsors we have, the more likely it is that HEARTH will move forward. Contact information for all House Members is available at http://www.house.gov If your Representative is interested in co-sponsoring HEARTH, they should notify Kathleen Taylor in the office of Representative Julia Carson or Lauren O’Brien in the office of Representative Geoff Davis.
For more information, visit http://www.naehcy.org/update.html
The "Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act (HEARTH)," H.R. 840, reauthorizes the McKinney-Vento Act’s HUD Homeless Assistance Programs. H.R. 840 provides greater decision making at the local level and more closely aligns the HUD definition of homelessness with other federal agency definitions (including the U.S. Department of Education).
In contrast, the Senate bill, S. 1518, the Community Partnership to End Homelessness Act (CPEHA), contains a complex, restrictive definition of homelessness that requires those who are doubled-up or in motels to make multiple moves in order to gain eligibility and codifies permanent housing set-asides that deny communities the ability to meet the needs of all homeless populations that they identify.
UPDATE:
Two new documents are now available regarding the HUD McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act reauthorization. Please find attached:
1. A "Fact Check" on the HUD definition of homelessness. This document sets the record straight on the effort to update HUD definition of homelessness.
2. An organizational sign-on letter of more than 40 child and youth organizations supporting an updated HUD definition of homelessness.
NPACH Alert: Support the HEARTH Act - House Hearings Held, New Materials Available
Yesterday, the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity of the House Financial Services Committee held its second hearing on reauthorization of the HUD McKinney-Vento Act Homeless Assistance Grant Programs.
Four new documents are now available regarding the HUD McKinney-Vento Act reauthorization:
1. NPACH testimony from the October 4 McKinney-Vento reauthorization hearing.
2. A "Fact Check" on the HUD definition of homelessness. This document sets the record straight on the effort to update HUD's definition of homelessness.
3. A "Fact Check" on HUD funding and the "chronic homelessness initiative" that clarifies key points in the debate.
4. An organizational sign-on letter from 44 child and youth organizations supporting an updated HUD definition of homelessness.
These materials, along with a brief comment on the hearing, are available at the NPACH website, at: www.npach.org
ACTION NEEDED:
Please ask the House to take action on the HEARTH Act, H.R. 840. To find out if your Member of Congress has signed on to H.R. 840, visit: H.R.840
If your Representative is a co-sponsor, please call their office to thank them, and ask that they urge House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank and Housing Subcommittee Chairwoman Maxine Waters to pass the HEARTH Act and bring it to the House floor.
If your Representative is not a co-sponsor, please ask them to become one - the more co-sponsors we have, the more likely it is that HEARTH will move forward. Contact information for all House Members is available at http://www.house.gov If your Representative is interested in co-sponsoring HEARTH, they should notify Kathleen Taylor in the office of Representative Julia Carson or Lauren O’Brien in the office of Representative Geoff Davis.
For more information, visit http://www.naehcy.org/update.html
Monday, October 15, 2007
Waco Homeless Administrator Does Overtime For Local Efforts
This article highlights the work of one Waco Administrators dedication to put forth efforts beyond the job description.
Full Article: Waco woman finds fulfilment helping area homeless
Full Article: Waco woman finds fulfilment helping area homeless
So. Ill. tries to eleviate "homeless student" sterotype
While the federal law describes them as children "who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence," the Illinois State Board of Education further defines them as children sharing housing with others because of a lack of housing, economic hardship or other reasons.
Full Story: Program to help schools educate homeless students
Full Story: Program to help schools educate homeless students
Friday, October 12, 2007
L.A. County Homeless Down, Skid Row Up!
Thursday, October 11, 2007
W.V. Discusses H.E.A.R.T.H. Act!!
Advocate says legislation needed to help homeless in rural areas:
This article(in full) is a start of a new line of talks between D.C. and local advocates.
This article(in full) is a start of a new line of talks between D.C. and local advocates.
Friday, October 5, 2007
Filmmakers Document Homelessness In Austin
As the Austin City Council reviews a measure to ban panhandling, some local moviemakers are looking into the issue of homelessness and solicitation in their documentary.
Full Story:
"Under the Bridge"
Full Story:
"Under the Bridge"
New bill addresses homelessness
BENNINGTON, VT. — The Douglas administration is aware of a spike in homelessness in Bennington County, which is one reason officials say they are pushing hard for a new housing bill in the Legislature.
Full Story:
Bennington area — a scarcity of affordable housing.
Full Story:
Bennington area — a scarcity of affordable housing.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Skid row crime drops 35%, but the program is faulted
"There have been unintended consequences that have negatively impacted the homeless and mentally disabled people, with unpaid citations for jaywalking leading to people going to jail and a focus on small-quantity drug buys ending up with ordinary addicts being sent to state prison,"
Full Story:
The Safer City Initiative has added police but few social services.
Full Story:
The Safer City Initiative has added police but few social services.
Providing housing to homeless saves money
AUGUSTA, Maine --Providing housing for Maine's homeless costs money, but it results in overall savings thanks to the reduced cost of social, medical and other services, according to a study commissioned by the Maine State Housing Authority.
Full Story:
Cuts the average costs of services they receive in half.
Full Story:
Cuts the average costs of services they receive in half.
Suit alleges Hawaii fails homeless kids
The state has failed so badly at helping homeless children get to and from public schools that federal courts should intervene in the situation, according to a class-action lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and two other parties.
Full story:
Hawaii fails homeless kids
Suit: State denies homeless kids equal access to public education
A class-action lawsuit has been filed against state officials, claiming they are failing to provide homeless children with equal access to public education.
Don’t let red tape deny homeless children their education
The prospect of federal intervention should prompt the state and the Department of Education to resolve quickly.
Full story:
Hawaii fails homeless kids
Suit: State denies homeless kids equal access to public education
A class-action lawsuit has been filed against state officials, claiming they are failing to provide homeless children with equal access to public education.
Don’t let red tape deny homeless children their education
The prospect of federal intervention should prompt the state and the Department of Education to resolve quickly.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Support the HEARTH Act
Support the HEARTH Act: Congressional Hearings Oct. 4 and Oct. 11
Background:
The "Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act (HEARTH)," H.R. 840, reauthorizes the McKinney-Vento Act’s HUD Homeless Assistance Programs. H.R. 840 provides greater decision making at the local level, more closely aligns the HUD definition of homelessness with other federal agency definitions (including the U.S. Department of Education), expands resources for emergency shelter and supportive services, provides a framework for greater homeless prevention activity, allows communities the flexibly to implement a range of housing solutions, and makes HUD policy more sensitive to the needs of children, youth, and families.
In contrast, the Senate bill, S. 1518, the Community Partnership to End Homelessness Act (CPEHA), is flawed. It contains a complex, restrictive definition of homelessness which requires those who are doubled-up or in motels to make multiple moves in order to gain eligibility; it codifies permanent housing set-asides that deny communities the ability to meet the needs of all homeless populations that they identify; and it excludes community planning provisions that would ensure participation by homeless education liaisons and also help ensure that homeless children and youth are able to exercise their educational rights.
Legislative Update:
The House Financial Services Committee, Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, will hold two hearings on reauthorization of HUD's McKinney-Vento homeless assistance grant programs. The hearings will take place on Thursday, October 4 at 10am, and Thursday, October 11 at 2pm.
Ms. Pittre Walker, NAEHCY Board Member and Homeless Liaison for Caddo Parish Schools in Shreveport, Louisiana, will testify at the October 4 hearing. Her testimony will be available from the NAEHCY web site prior to the hearing. Diane Nilan, President of HEAR US, will testify at the October 11th hearing. Other partners, including the National Policy & Advocacy Council on Homelessness, the National Network to End Domestic Violence, and the National Network for Youth, also will provide testimony. Both hearings can be viewed via webcast, by going to: http://financialservices.house.gov/hearings_all.shtml
Recommended Action:
Please ask the House to take action on the HEARTH Act, H.R. 840. A list of the current 78 co-sponsors can be found here: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:HR00840:@@@P
If your Representative is a co-sponsor, please call their office to thank them, and ask that they urge House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank and Housing Subcommittee Chairwoman Maxine Waters to pass the HEARTH Act and bring it to the House floor.
If your Representative is not a co-sponsor, please ask them to become one - the more co-sponsors we have, the more likely it is that HEARTH will move forward. Contact information for all House Members is available at http://www.house.gov/ If your Representative is interested in co-sponsoring HEARTH, they should notify Kathleen Taylor in the office of Representative Julia Carson.
Background:
The "Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act (HEARTH)," H.R. 840, reauthorizes the McKinney-Vento Act’s HUD Homeless Assistance Programs. H.R. 840 provides greater decision making at the local level, more closely aligns the HUD definition of homelessness with other federal agency definitions (including the U.S. Department of Education), expands resources for emergency shelter and supportive services, provides a framework for greater homeless prevention activity, allows communities the flexibly to implement a range of housing solutions, and makes HUD policy more sensitive to the needs of children, youth, and families.
In contrast, the Senate bill, S. 1518, the Community Partnership to End Homelessness Act (CPEHA), is flawed. It contains a complex, restrictive definition of homelessness which requires those who are doubled-up or in motels to make multiple moves in order to gain eligibility; it codifies permanent housing set-asides that deny communities the ability to meet the needs of all homeless populations that they identify; and it excludes community planning provisions that would ensure participation by homeless education liaisons and also help ensure that homeless children and youth are able to exercise their educational rights.
Legislative Update:
The House Financial Services Committee, Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, will hold two hearings on reauthorization of HUD's McKinney-Vento homeless assistance grant programs. The hearings will take place on Thursday, October 4 at 10am, and Thursday, October 11 at 2pm.
Ms. Pittre Walker, NAEHCY Board Member and Homeless Liaison for Caddo Parish Schools in Shreveport, Louisiana, will testify at the October 4 hearing. Her testimony will be available from the NAEHCY web site prior to the hearing. Diane Nilan, President of HEAR US, will testify at the October 11th hearing. Other partners, including the National Policy & Advocacy Council on Homelessness, the National Network to End Domestic Violence, and the National Network for Youth, also will provide testimony. Both hearings can be viewed via webcast, by going to: http://financialservices.house.gov/hearings_all.shtml
Recommended Action:
Please ask the House to take action on the HEARTH Act, H.R. 840. A list of the current 78 co-sponsors can be found here: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:HR00840:@@@P
If your Representative is a co-sponsor, please call their office to thank them, and ask that they urge House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank and Housing Subcommittee Chairwoman Maxine Waters to pass the HEARTH Act and bring it to the House floor.
If your Representative is not a co-sponsor, please ask them to become one - the more co-sponsors we have, the more likely it is that HEARTH will move forward. Contact information for all House Members is available at http://www.house.gov/ If your Representative is interested in co-sponsoring HEARTH, they should notify Kathleen Taylor in the office of Representative Julia Carson.
SoMa patrols to shepherd homeless away from tourist areas
The city will send teams of outreach workers and police officers to offer social services to any homeless person caught littering, camping, trespassing, urinating, defecating, blocking sidewalks or publicly intoxicated.
If the homeless people refuse the services, they will receive a citation and will be told to appear in traffic court in 45 days. If a person is caught committing another quality-of-life crime within the same 8-hour period, he or she will be taken into custody.
Check out full story:
Robbing Peter to pay Paul, everyone else goes to jail
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