IN THE NEWS

Senate Appropriations Committee Calls for Increase in HVRP, VWIP Funding
The Senate Appropriations Committee has completed its mark-up of the FY 2005 Labor-Health and Human Services-Education appropriations bill (S. 2810, S. Rept. 108-345). The legislation would provide $23 million for the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP), a $4 million increase over FY 2004. During a budget climate in which many programs face level funding, this is a significant victory for homeless veterans, and could permit DOL to operate a new start competition in FY 2005. The Senate bill also provides $9.683 million for the Veterans Workforce Investment Program (VWIP), a $2.133 million increase over FY 2004. Many NCHV members contacted their senators and representatives this summer to advocate for additional funding for these critical homeless veteran employment assistance programs. The House bill does not include increases for these programs, so advocates need to remain involved to protect the Senate committee's proposed increases.

Included in the Senate bill are provisions instructing the Department of Labor to: ensure that a module on homelessness prevention is added to the Transition Assistance Program curriculum; develop a guide for veterans accessing VWIP; and produce a guide to inform workforce systems about the employment services needs of veterans and the responsibility of such systems to prioritize veterans for services. To view the entire Senate Appropriations Committee report, go to http://thomas.loc.gov, click on "Committee Reports," select Senate Reports, and enter 108-345.

DOL-Vets Proposes Implementing USERRA for Iraq War Veterans
The Department of Labor Veterans' Employment and Training Service (DOL-VETS) is issuing proposed rules for implementing the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA). Congress enacted USERRA to protect the rights of persons who voluntarily or involuntarily leave employment positions to undertake military service. USERRA authorizes the Secretary of Labor (in consultation with the Secretary of Defense) to prescribe rules implementing the law as it applies to States, local governments and private employers. VETS is requesting public comments on the proposed rules outlined in the September 20, 2004, Federal Register [pages 56265-56301], which are intended to provide guidance to employers and employees concerning their rights and obligations under USERRA.

The deadline for submitting comments is Nov. 19, 2004. Note that security-related problems may result in significant delays when sending comments and other written materials by regular mail. Contact Mr. Charles Dawson, VETS Office of Operations and Programs, at 202-693-4711 for information regarding security concerning materials delivered by mail or express delivery.

SAMHSA National Survey on Drug Abuse and Mental Health Released
While the number of persons with substance dependence or abuse stayed about the same over the past year (22.0 million in 2002 and 21.6 million in 2003), the number that reported receiving specialty treatment dropped, according to an annual survey released yesterday by the Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Formerly called the "Household Survey," the National Survey on Drug Use and Health is the government's primary vehicle for determining how many people are abusing drugs and alcohol and also includes figures for treatment of substance abuse, mental health and co-occurring disorders. The complete report is available at http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/nhsda.htm#NHSDAinfo.

San Francisco Public Housing Program Cited as Model for Disabled, Mentally Ill
Due to documented outcomes that demonstrate two-thirds of chronically homeless people placed in its units are still successfully housed two years later - with reduced use of acute public assistance systems - the City and County of San Francisco's Department of Public Health (DPH) Direct Access to Housing (DAH) program has become a model of outcome-oriented public sector investment in housing resources for the most costly homeless people in communities, according to the Interagency Council on Homelessness. With over 400 persons housed, DAH has shown that its residents, most of whom have one or more disabilities, have a 58% reduction in emergency room use, a 57% reduction in hospital inpatient bed use, and a reduction in the length of psychiatric hospitalization.

DAH uses primarily City General Fund resources to provide permanent supportive housing by master-leasing entire SRO buildings and providing a low threshold housing environment. Other resources are state funds and reimbursement as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). Residents pay fifty percent of their income towards rent, with the average rent about $300. About 80% of residents receive public income supports, such as SSI. For more information about this program, click here.

RESOURCES

NCHV Posts New Homeless Veterans Assistance Guide on Website
NCHV has posted a new Homeless Veterans Assistance guide on its website. Veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless can go to www.nchv.org and click on "Are You a Homeless Veteran" to find information about how to find housing, health services, employment assistance, veteran-specific assistance programs, drug and alcohol treatment, and mental health services. Links are provided to steer veterans to VA facilities, local emergency shelters, homeless veteran service providers, and public assistance agencies.

Audio Conference Focuses on Successful Housing First Systems
The September edition of the Leadership to End Homelessness Audio Conference Series described how a community-wide housing first approach could effectively and efficiently reduce homelessness for families. The housing first approach focuses on moving homeless people into housing as quickly as possible, then providing stabilization services to help them remain in permanent housing for the long term. Shirley Hendrickson of Hennepin County, MN, and Kara Hill of the Salvation Army in Columbus, OH, shared the challenges and successes that their communities experienced in implementing this approach. In Columbus, about 90 percent of families are still in permanent housing after one year. In Hennepin County, the shelter system sees only about 3% to 5% of families return after one year. A recording of the call will be accessible on the PATH website within the next week (see http://www.pathprogram.samhsa.gov/naeh.asp).

Urban Institute Releases Guides on Reporting Program Outcomes
Being able to report successful program outcomes is critical as organizations compete for funding from both the public and private sectors. The Urban Institute has released four guidebooks on what information to capture, reporting clients' feedback, and how best to use the information you track. For more information about the outcome reporting guidebooks, visit the Urban Institute at http://www.urban.org.

Help Ensure that Homeless People Participate in the Electoral Process
NLIHC has been engaged in extensive efforts over the last year to encourage organizations that work with homeless and low income people to help ensure the people they serve are registered to vote and participate in the electoral process. It has also amassed a formidable toolbox of voter registration, education and mobilization materials. During the week of September 26 through October 2, organizations across the country will take part in activities associated with National Homeless and Low Income Voter Registration Week, which is sponsored jointly by NLIHC and the National Coalition for the Homeless. To learn more about how organizations that serve low income and homeless people can get involved, visit: www.nlihc.org/vrem/homelessvoterweek.pdf.