Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008: National Policy Update

Published by National Alliance to End Homelessness
This update describes three major parts of the Housing Bill recently passed by Congress and signed by the President.

Supportive Housing Legislation Approved by U.S. House Committee

Published by Corporation for Supportive Housing
The Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act of 2008 (H.R. 5772), was approved by the House Financial Services Committee on July 30, 2008.

House Committee Approves McKinney-Vento Reauthorization Bill

Published by National Alliance to End Homelessness
On Thursday, July 31, the House Financial Services Committee unanimously voted in favor of H.R. 840, the HEARTH Act, legislation introduced by the late Representative Julia Carson (D-IN) and Rep. Geoff Davis (R-KY) to reauthorize HUD's McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Grants program

Under One Roof : Denver Help the Homeless: Post Conference Report

Published by Denver's Road Home
This report summarizes the main themese that emerged at “Under One Roof: Denver Help the Homeless Summit in the Mile High City,” a two-day symposium in November 2007 dedicated to exchanging ideas between funders and mayors who share a commitment to ending longterm homelessness.

Why Supporting Advocacy Makes Sense for Foundations

Published by Atlantic Philanthropies
This report describes various forms of advocacy that a foundation can support, including commissioning research, policy development, community organising, coalition work, legislative lobbying, litigation, mass campaigns and more.

Policy Experts Call for Broad New Agenda for Mental Health Care: Research, Relationships, and Resources Needed to Bridge Costly Gaps

Published by John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
Legislators, policy makers and funders must acknowledge the critical role of mainstream institutions in providing mental health services in America’s informal mental health system according to a diverse group of mental health and other policy experts meeting in Washington for the Fundamental Policy: Spotlight on Mental Health conference.

US Interagency Council on Homeless Releases Comprehensive List of Programs that Assist Homeless Children

Published by US Interagency Council on Homelessness
This inventory of federal programs that have the capacity to serve homeless families with children has been developed by the member agencies of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH). The inventory consists of both targeted homeless programs, which are designed specifically to serve persons experiencing homelessness, as well as mainstream programs, whose mission may be to serve a far broader population, but for which persons experiencing homelessness may be eligible by virtue of the program’s eligibility criteria.

HUD Budget Contains Major Funding Shortfalls : Congress Needs to Add $6.5 Billion to Administration’s Request to Avoid Cuts In Assistance for Low-Income Families

Published by Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Last year, Congress rejected deep cuts the Administration proposed in affordable housing and community development programs and funded the Department of Housing and Urban Development at $2.1 billion above the Administration’s budget request for 2008. For 2009, Congress will have to provide a substantially larger increase — totaling $6.5 billion above the Administration’s request — to avoid cuts in core programs that help millions of low-income families secure decent housing at affordable rents.

VA Taps $37 Million for Homeless Grants

Published by KALB News Center 5
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is designating $37 million to fund at least 2,250 new transitional housing beds by giving grants to local providers. “This is the largest one-time designation of funds for homeless program in VA’s history,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake.

HousingPolicy.org Launched

Published by Center for Housing Policy
HousingPolicy.org is an online guide to state and local housing policy developed and maintained by the Center for Housing Policy, the research affiliate of the National Housing Conference. The purpose of HousingPolicy.org is to collect and provide examples of proven solutions for expanding the availability of homes for working families and others in your community. The site includes easily accessible information on a broad range of state and local policy tools, as well as guidance on how to put them together to form a comprehensive and effective housing strategy.