NCHV Can Help with Your New Year's Resolutions

The New Year is always a good time stop and assess what you have accomplished and where your organization is going.  Are you looking to expand?  Is there a program or grant that you are planning on applying for?  If so the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans would like to remind you that we can provide technical assistance to help you through the often murky world of grants.  Whether through a conversation over the phone or face to face during an on-site visit, NCHV employees are here to help you get the funds you need to assist the men and women who have served our country.  Call our office toll free at 1-800-VET-HELP or send an e-mail to nchv5@nchv.org.

NCHV would also like to announce that we are in the process of updating sections of our website to better assist service providers.  Visit the technical assistance and employment sections of our site for new and expanded information.

2008 NCHV Annual Conference Set For June 23-25

NCHV is excited to be hosting its 12^th annual conference in June.  The theme of this year's conference is "Special Challenges of a New Era," featuring speakers that will inspire, strengthen and even surprise attendees as we consider the emerging needs of a new homeless veteran demographic. 

Headquarters for the conference will be the Grand Hyatt Washington, 1000 H Street NW, in the heart of Washington, D.C.  NCHV has reserved a block of rooms for $201 each plus 14% tax; make your reservation by May 22 to assure this rate.  DO NOT WAIT– for five straight years the block of rooms NCHV reserves for this conference have sold out months before the event. Be sure to identify yourself as attending the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans Conference.  Reservations can be made by calling 202-582-1234 or toll-free 800-233-1234.

NCHV staff is currently working to finalize the agenda.  If you or if you or your organization would be interested in presenting during our conference, please contact Melanie Lilliston at nchv5@nchv.org.  Be sure to check our website in the new year for updated information.

Conference fees are $275 for members, $350 for non-members.  One day fees are $110 for members and $130 for non-members.

For more information click here. 

For the registration form click here.

Call for Entries: Annual NCHV Awards

NCHV members are invited to nominate deserving individuals and organizations for the following awards. Winners will be honored at the NCHV Annual Awards Banquet in Washington, D.C., on June 24, 2008. Watch for updates at www.nchv.org. 

• Outstanding Member
   To the NCHV member that has demonstrated leadership in coalition building.
• Partnership Award
   To a person or organization (not an NCHV member) who has contributed to the development of partnerships to expand the services available for homeless veterans.
• Public Policy Award
  To a local or state person or organization for influencing or implementing public policy to benefit homeless veterans.
• Unsung Hero Award                                                                                                       To a person who has contributed to the recognition of the homeless veteran issue in a supporting or unrecognized leadership role.
• Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Labor Staff Awards 
  To the VA and DOL employee who has done the most to assist homeless veterans.

 Mail, fax or e-mail your nomination to:

   National Coalition for Homeless Veterans

   333 ½ Pennsylvania Avenue, SE

   Washington, D.C. 20003

   Fax: 202-546-2063 Email: nchv4@nchv.org

Expanded Benefit Will Help Severely Disabled Veterans

Washington, D.C. – On January 4^th the VA announced that a new law will allow eligible, seriously injured veterans and servicemembers to receive special adaptive housing grants of $10,000 or $50,000 up to three times so long as the total grants stay within specified limits outlined in the law.  Previously they had only been allowed to use the benefit once.

Eligible for the benefit are those with specific service-connected disabilities entitling them to VA compensation for a "permanent and total disability."  They may receive a grant to construct an adapted home or to modify an existing one to meet their special needs. 

VA has three types of adapted housing grants available.  The Specially Adapted Housing grant (SAH), the Special Housing Adaptations grant (SHA), and the Temporary Residence Adaptation grant (TRA). 

For more information about grants and other adaptive housing programs, contact a local VA regional office at 1-800-827-1000 or local veteran service organization.  To view the full VA press release, and find links to more information and grant applications go to http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1440. 

 
FY 2008 HUD Budget Approved

Washington D.C. – On January 3rd the Department of Housing and Urban Developments released its FY 2008 budget which includes $1.568 billion for homeless programs, an increase of $140 million from the previous fiscal year. 

The FY 2008 budget directs a record $75 million to the HUD-VASH program for supportive housing through the use of approximately 7,500 housing certificates and services for homeless veterans.  HUD-VASH is a targeted program of the Departments of Housing and Urban Development and Veterans Affairs that uses HUD housing vouchers for homeless veterans who have been screened by VA for eligibility. Veterans receive case management from VA, and HUD allocates and distributes vouchers. The program reaches the chronically homeless population and has been shown to reduce the length of homelessness for the most vulnerable and disabled veterans.

New HUD resources will also focus on ending chronic homelessness, as well as forward new housing initiatives.  Included in the HUD homeless budget is $25 million for a demonstration program for rapid re-housing of homeless families.  Families will receive housing placement services, short-term housing assistance including up to 18 months of rental assistance, and appropriate services.  The new resources will be awarded competitively as part of the annual HUD funding competition.

Eli Lilly Suspends Stand Down Personal Care Kit Distribution

We would like to thank the Eli Lilly Corporation for the thousands of care packets they have provided to homeless veterans over the years.  Unfortunately they will not be able to provide these care packets through at least the second quarter of this year.  Hopefully they will be able to do so again in the future.  Check the NCHV website for updates about this throughout the year.

Don't forget to register your Stand Downs with us for 2008.  By Registering your Stand Down with us you will be eligible for resources and grants from companies and organizations that would not be available otherwise.