IN THE NEWS

NCHV Membership Elects Seven Homeless Veteran Advocates to Board of Directors

The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans elected four of its members to the NCHV Board of Directors and re-elected three directors to a second term during its annual meeting May 18 in Washington, D.C. Re-elected to second terms were George Basher, Director of the State of New York Division of Veterans Affairs, the current treasurer; Tom Cray, president of the Veterans Outreach Center in Rochester, NY; and Robert Norris, Executive Vice President of Century Housing Corp., Los Angeles. Newly elected to the board were John King, Director of the State of Washington Department of Veterans Affairs; Michael Lennon, President and CEO of HomeAid America, headquartered in Costa Mesa, CA; David Mandell, President and CEO of the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County, TX; and Job Mashariki, President and CEO of Black Veterans for Social Justice, Brooklyn, NY.

VA Publishes Final Rule on Grant and Per Diem Funds, Religious Organizations

The Department of Veterans Affairs has adopted, with changes, the provisions of a proposed rule that revises the regulations concerning the VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program. Specifically, the proposed rule revised provisions that apply to religious organizations that receive Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) funds under the program to ensure it is open to all qualified organizations, regardless of their religious character, and to clearly establish the proper uses to which funds may be put and the conditions for receipt of such funding.

Consistent with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the proposed rule removed the regulatory prohibition against religious organizations making employment decisions on a religious basis; as such organizations do not forfeit that exemption when administering VA-funded programs. It also ensured that direct government funds are not used for inherently religious activities. The Final Rule can be viewed in the June 8, 2004, Federal Register, pages 31883-31889, or find the document in the Federal Register via GPO Access at www.gpoaccess.gov [DOCID:fr08jn04-11].

VA and NCHV Present Training Workshops for Homeless Veteran Service Providers

This summer, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans are offering a unique training opportunity for homeless service providers in several communities across the nation. This training program, which will run through September, is designed for emerging and existing community and faith-based homeless service organizations that want to expand their programs to better serve homeless veterans. Sessions are currently scheduled in San Antonio, TX; Salt Lake City, UT; Columbia, SC; Augusta, ME; and Tulsa, OK. Other sessions are currently being planned and details will be released as soon as they are finalized.

The goal of the workshop is to give participants information about the basic components of resource development plans, how to go about developing a funding proposal, and an introduction to veteran-specific resources and how to access them. For more information on locations, registration and homeless veteran assistance programs, click here.

Legal Action Center Releases State-by-State Report on Barriers to Reentry After Incarceration

The Legal Action Center has recently released a state-by-state report card on the obstacles facing people with experience in the criminal justice system upon their reentry to society. The report card, which grades each state on whether its laws and policies help or hurt people seeking reentry, is accompanied by a comprehensive catalogue of each state's legal barriers to employment, housing, benefits, voting, access to criminal records, parenting and driving. The report also includes recommendations on how federal and state policymakers can help reintegrate people with criminal records into society in ways that better promote public safety. For more information on this report and other related resources, visit the Legal Action Center website at www.lac.org/roadblocks.html.

NLCHP Presents Audio Training Session on Homeless Voter Rights

The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty will hold an audio training session on Wednesday, June 30, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., EST. The session will provide information on ways to help homeless individuals register to vote, as well as on the laws and requirements involved in homeless voter registration, from residency and necessary identification to possible barriers for homeless individuals when registering and voting.

Tulin Ozdeger, a civil rights staff attorney with the Law Center, will conduct the session. She will spend a portion of the session discussing the Help America Vote Act of 2002. Under the new federal law, there are additional identification requirements that vary by state. Participants will be provided information on assisting homeless voters register within their states while staying within the confines of the new federal law. Registration is required to participate in the session. The fee is $25 for members and $45 for non-members. For more information on the audio session, visit www.nlchp.org.

HUD FY2004 SuperNOFA Corrections Published in Federal Register

The May 28, 2004, Federal Register announced two corrections to the HUD SuperNOFA, which was published on May 14. The first replaces the form that follows the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program section of the SuperNOFA with one that has been revised and approved by OMB. The second is a corrected reference to a form that was misidentified in the Housing Choice Voucher Family Self-Sufficiency Program Coordinators program section. To view the corrections, see: http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/04-12087.htm.

RESOURCES

Department of Labor Solicits Applications for Stand Down Grants

The Department of Labor (DOL) is accepting applications for grants that support the nation’s Stand Down programs for homeless veterans. Up to $5,000 is available for programs that enhance employment and training opportunities, or otherwise promote “self-sustainment” for homeless veterans. Funds may be used to provide food items, prepared meals, clothing, sleeping bags, hygiene care kits, tent rentals, transportation and event publicity.

The application must include a cover letter requesting the funds, a SF 424 or 424a, a budget narrative, and letters of support from DOL DVOP/LVERs, local Department of Veterans Affairs and HUD officials, and veteran service organizations. Applications should be sent to the state director for Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS) for consideration. A list of VETS state directors is available at www.dol.gov/vets/aboutvets/contacts/main.htm.

HUD Website Features Guide for Organizations Applying for Grants

A guidebook to HUD programs titled “Connecting with Communities: A User's Guide to HUD Programs and the FY2004 NOFA Process” is available from the NOFA Information Center. The guidebook provides a brief description of all HUD programs, eligible applicants for the programs, and examples of how programs can work in combination to serve local community needs. You may also request general information, paper copies of the Notice of HUD NOFA policy requirements, program NOFAs and applications. To order “Connecting with Communities,” call the NOFA Information Center at 800-HUD-8929 or 800-HUD-2209 (TTY) between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m., EST, Monday through Friday. HUD grant information is available at www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/fundsavail.cfm.