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Obama Administration Highlights Priorities

"Zero tolerance" policy toward homelessness among veterans

Date Published: November 18, 2008
Publisher: National Alliance to End Homelessness

President-elect Barack Obama has launched a transition website, which includes a series of pages focusing on the agenda of the new Administration upon entering office. That agenda includes a number of housing and poverty issues.

On the website, President-elect Obama states that he is committed to establishing a "zero tolerance" policy toward homelessness among veterans. While in the Senate, Obama introduced the Homes for Heroes Act of 2007 and the Veterans Homelessness Prevention Act.

The new Administration also promises to "restore cuts to public housing operating subsidies, and ensure that all Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs are restored to their original purpose." Of additional interest to homeless and housing advocates is the fact that, as senators, President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden supported the creation of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to increase the supply of affordable housing. Furthermore, according to the website, the new Administration supports fully funding the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, increasing the minimum wage, and expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit.

Agenda of the New Administration

 

On the Trail With Obama: Homeless Veterans


READ MORE: OBAMA ADMINISTRATION'S APPROACH TO HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS

SELECTED AGENDA POSITIONS RELATED TO HOMELESSNESS

Combat Homelessness among Our Nation's Veterans: Establish a national "zero tolerance" policy for veterans falling into homelessness by expanding proven programs and launching innovative services to prevent veterans from falling into homelessness.

Supports Affordable Housing Trust Fund: Obama has supported efforts to create an Affordable Housing Trust Fund to develop affordable housing in mixed-income neighborhoods.

Fully Fund the Community Development Block Grant: Obama and Biden will fully fund the Community Development Block Grant program and engage with urban leaders across the country to increase resources to the highest-need Americans.

Reduce Crime Recidivism by Providing Ex-Offender Supports: Obama and Biden will work to ensure that ex-offenders have access to job training, substance abuse and mental health counseling, and employment opportunities. Obama and Biden will also create a prison-to-work incentive program and reduce barriers to employment.

Supports independent, community-based living for Americans with disabilities by enforcing the Community Choice Act, which would allow Americans with significant disabilities the choice of living in their community rather than having to live in a nursing home or other institution, creating a voluntary, budget-neutral national insurance program to help adults who have or develop functional disabilities to remain independent and in their communities, and streamline the Social Security approval process.

Increase the Supply of Affordable Housing throughout Metropolitan Regions: Communities prosper when all families have access to affordable housing. Barack Obama and Joe Biden supported efforts to create an Affordable Housing Trust Fund to create thousands of new units of affordable housing every year. Barack Obama and Joe Biden will also restore cuts to public housing operating subsidies, and ensure that all Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs are restored to their original purpose.