IN THE NEWS

Survey Confirms ‘War on Terror’ Veterans Are Seeking Homeless Assistance

A recent survey conducted by NCHV confirms that combat veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and the Global War on Terror who need help – from mental health programs to housing, employment training and job placement assistance – are beginning to request assistance from community-based homeless veteran service providers. The survey was in response to a growing number of inquiries by media and government officials involved in veterans and budgetary affairs.

There currently is no reliable, scientific data available to accurately calculate how America's wartime mobilization is going to impact the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and community homeless service providers – it is too early. But there are enough studies and present-day indicators to conclude the nation is unprepared for the increased demand for homeless veteran services the "War on Terror" will generate. To read the complete story, go to http://www.nchv.org/news_article.cfm?id=101.

Administration Expected to Propose Major Cuts in HUD Programs in FY 2006 Budget

According to a January 15 article by Jonathan Weisman of the Washington Post, the White House is expected to propose major cutbacks in funding for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the president’s FY 2006 budget proposal. According to administration sources, the move is to consolidate or eliminate what the administration views as duplicative or ineffective programs. The writer reports, “Administration officials would not say how much the consolidation would save, but it could lead to steep funding cuts,” and references sources who say the Community Development Block Grant program could be cut by as much as 50 percent. View the article at http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/01/14/MNGEOAQETV1.DTL.

DOL-VETS Awards $3.78 Million in VWIP Grants in 15 States

On December 14, the U.S. Department of Labor-Veterans Employment and Training Service (DOL-VETS) announced $3.78 million in grants to 17 homeless veteran service providers under the Veterans Workforce Investment Program (VWIP). The grants are expected to provide classroom, skills upgrading and on-the-job training and job placement assistance for about 1,600 veterans in 15 states. These are first-year, six-month grants that may be renewed for a second year if organizations meet performance criteria outlined in their applications. For more information, and a list of grantees, go to: http://www.dol.gov/vets/grants/VWIP/NewsreleaseVWIPgrantsDecember04.pdf.

Contract Awarded to Complete VA’s CARES Modernization Plan Regional Studies

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi has announced the award of a contract to PricewaterhouseCoopers to complete regional studies required for the Capital Asset and Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) plan. The $9.6 million contract calls for completing studies at 18 sites throughout the country during a 13-month period. Study recommendations, including those from stakeholders, will be reviewed by the VA Under Secretary for Health and CARES Implementation Board, consisting of senior VA officials, who will make recommendations to the Secretary. The studies will be completed no later than February 2006. To review the CARES plan and find contact information for your area, go to http://www1.va.gov/cares/.

SAMHSA to Stop Announcing Grant NOFAs in Federal Register

The Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has announced it will no longer publish notices of grant funding availability (NOFAs) in the Federal Register. SAMHSA will instead post notices of funding availability only on http://www.Grants.gov and http://www.samhsa.gov. Only single source or limited competition announcements will continue to be published in the Federal Register. This change is effective immediately. Information on how to apply for grant funds will continue to be available at SAMHSA's two national clearinghouses: The National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI) – 1-800-729-6686 – for substance abuse prevention or treatment grants; and the National Mental Health Information Center – 1-800-789-CMHS (2647) – for mental health grants.

RESOURCES

NCHV, VOA Teleconference on Homeless Veterans Access to Mainstream Assistance

NCHV and Volunteers of America (VOA) are hosting the second call in a series of teleconferences that focus on homeless veterans' access to mainstream assistance programs January 27. The call will focus specifically on Social Security and Disability Income. Information will be presented on who is qualified for VA disability benefits, either service-connected or non service-connected, and the differences between the Social Security Administration's two disability programs. The program is made possible through a grant by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. For registration information, go to http://www.nchv.org/news_article.cfm?id=95.

Applications Requested for Capacity Building Technical Assistance Grants

NCHV and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announce the presentation of the Homeless Providers Grants – 2005. Cash grants up to $3,000 each will be made to nonprofit community-based groups with experience in providing assistance to homeless veterans. The purpose of these grants is to build the management capacity of community and faith-based organizations to better serve our homeless veterans. Individual nonprofit organizations are eligible for up to $1,000, but organizations working in partnership with multiple nonprofits that span the state are eligible for up to $3,000. For more information, http://www.nchv.org/news_article.cfm?id=99.

HUD Releases Guide to Counting Unsheltered Homeless People

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced the availability of a new guide to assist communities in collecting data on the number and characteristics of people who are homeless but living outside the housing continuum. The guide lays out the steps involved in three possible approaches and provides examples of their use by different communities. It includes relevant HUD definitions and standards, sample surveys and forms and other reference information. HUD has indicated that information on unsheltered homeless people will be requested in both future Continuum of Care applications and the homeless needs section of the Consolidated Plan. The guide can be accessed at http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/homeless/library/countinghomeless/countingguide.pdf.

CSH Launches Toolkit for Ending Long-Term Homelessness

The Corporation for Supportive Housing has recently produced a comprehensive online toolkit for ending long-term homelessness, with an emphasis on financing, developing, and operating supportive housing. The resource features information on both programmatic and systems-wide approaches. It highlights numerous promising practices, including program profiles, lessons learned, photo tours, sample documents. It also provides a useful reference to relevant resources available through other organizations and the federal government. To view the Toolkit, visit http://www.csh.org/toolkit.

Online Stand Down Guide Offers Help BEFORE You Start Planning Your Event

NCHV, with the help of Vietnam Veterans of San Diego, has produced a condensed Stand Down Guide for homeless veteran service providers and community leaders to help them understand the objectives of this innovative outreach program, and what it takes in human and material resources to stage a successful event. The guide includes tips on what services should be offered, a 10-step approach to organizing your event, and resources that will provide you with more complete information on set-up, logistics and costs. To view the guide, go to: http://www.nchv.org/standdown.cfm#section3.