U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness - HUD - 09/12/2012

>> HELLO, EVERYBODY. WELCOME TO OUR THIRD THIS YEAR
OF THE U.S. INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON HOMELESSNESS MEETING.
IT'S NICE TO HAVE EVERYBODY AROUND THE TABLE AGAIN, AND
I'M -- I WANT TO THANK OUR HOST, SECRETARY DONOVAN FOR HAVING US
HERE TODAY AND FOR HIS ON GOING COMMITMENT AND LEADERSHIP AND
ALL THE GREAT PARTNERS AROUND THE TABLE.
WE HAVE A LOT ON THE AGENDA, AS WE USUALLY DO.
WE HAVE TRIED TO KEEP SOME MORE TIME AVAILABLE TODAY FOR
DISCUSSION. I KNOW THAT'S BEEN OFTEN AN
AFTER-THOUGHT AT THE MEETINGS BEFORE WE PACKED THEM SO FULL.
I HOPE ALL OF YOU GET A CHANCE TO LEND YOUR THOUGHTS AND IDEAS
TO THIS PROCESS GOING FORWARD. WE WANT TO HAVE A DISCUSSION
ABOUT FAMILY HOMELESSNESS. WE HAVE SOME GREAT PARTNERS HERE
TODAY TO TALK ABOUT THAT. WE HAVE A PROGRESS REPORT ON OUR
OPENING DOORS AGENDA. I'M GOING TO TRY TO KEEP US
STAYING ON TIME. WITH US TODAY, WE'VE GOT
MICHELLE FLYNN FROM THE ROAD HOME IN SALT LAKE CITY AND
MICHAEL IS HERE. HE WILL GIVE US HIS THOUGHTS ON
PREVENTING AND ENDING FAMILY HOMELESSNESS.
I DO ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT FROM OUR DEPARTMENT WE HAVE WITH
US BRIAN SAMUELS, WHO YOU ALL KNOW, OUR COMMISSIONER ON YOUTH
AND FAMILIES, BUT ALSO OUR AGENCY ADMINISTRATOR, GEORGE
SHELDON, HAS JOINED US TODAY. WE HAVE AN EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT
TO MAKE. WHEN OUR COUNCIL WAS MEETING
LAST JUNE, WE TALKED ABOUT ACCEPTING PROPOSALS FOR THE
PARTNERSHIP TO DEMONSTRATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SUPPORTIVE
HOUSING FOR FAMILIES IN THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM GRANT.
THAT THAT WAS A REAL OPPORTUNITY.
THE GRANTS WERE ACTUALLY AWARDED TODAY.
THESE GRANTS WILL COUPLE STABLE HOUSING WITH COMPREHENSIVE
SERVICES FOR THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM.
A TARGET POPULATION. COMMUNITIES IDENTIFY HUD HOUSING
RESOURCES AT THE LOCAL LEVEL THAT WILL BE USED IN THE
DEMONSTRATION PROJECT. HUD WILL PROVIDE SUPPORTS LINKED
TO THE RESOURCES. SO THIS IS A REAL COLLABORATIVE
EFFORT OF US TARGETING VULNERABLE FAMILIES AND WORKING
WITH HUD. WE'VE AWARDED A MILLION DOLLARS
A YEAR TO EACH OF THE FIVE GRANTEES FOR THE NEXT FIVE
YEARS, $25 MILLION TOTAL. THE DEMONSTRATION IS SUPPORTED
IN PART WITHIN AN ADDITIONAL $10 MILLION BY PHILANTHROPIC
ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE HERE I THINK AT THE MEETING.
SO I THINK WE HAVE REPRESENTATIVES HERE FROM THE
ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION, FROM AETNA McCONNELL CLARK
FOUNDATION, THE NEKC FOUNDATION. ARE YOU ALL HERE AND COULD WE
THANK YOU FOR THOSE EFFORTS? [APPLAUSE]
AND I WANT TO PARTICULARLY RECOGNIZE OUR COMMISSIONER,
BRIAN SAMUELS FOR HIS VISION IN PUTTING TOGETHER THIS
DEMONSTRATION. THE FIVE GRANTEES ARE THE FOUR
OAKS FAMILY AND CHILDREN SERVICES IN CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA.
THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND
FAMILIES IN HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.
KIDS IN DISTRESS, INC. WILTON MANORS, FLORIDA.
AND THE SAN FRANCISCO HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY NOT SURPRISINGLY
IN SAN FRANCISCO. SO I THINK YOU SEE WE HAVE A
PRETTY BROAD GEOGRAPHIC RANGE. SOME DIFFERENT PARTNERS, NOT FOR
PROFIT GROUPS AND STATE GROUP A LOCAL GROUP.
AND I THINK IT WILL GIVE US A REAL OPPORTUNITY TO, YOU KNOW,
FIGURE OUT STRATEGIES THAT REALLY WORK, CAPTURE SOME BEST
PRACTICES AND DRIVE THE INITIATIVES FORWARD.
I WANT TO OPEN THE MEETING SHARING THAT GOOD NEWS WITH YOU.
I SHOULD MENTION THAT WE DO HAVE FOLKS JOINING US BY
TELECONFERENCE TODAY ONCE AGAIN. AND WE WANT TO WELCOME THOSE
LISTENERS WHO ARE OUT THERE WITH US TODAY AS A PART OF THIS
MEETING AGENDA. I WANT TO JUST TEE UP OUR GUESTS
BY GIVING YOU A LITTLE SNAPSHOT OF WHERE WE HOPE TO GO WITH THIS
SESSION. WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT MAINSTREAM
RESOURCES ARE CRITICAL TO PREVENTING AND ENDING
HOMELESSNESS AMONG FAMILIES. AND THOUGH THEY'RE NOT
SPECIFICALLY TARGETED TO PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
HOMELESS FAMILIES ARE OFTEN ELIGIBLE FOR MAINSTREAM
RESOURCES BASED ON FACTORS LIKE INCOME.
ALL FEDERAL AGENCIES HAVE MAINSTREAM PROGRAMS.
AND IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE PROGRAMS TO COMPLEMENT ONE
ANOTHER. WE THINK IT'S ALSO VERY
IMPORTANT TO IDENTIFY THE WAYS THAT MAINSTREAM PROGRAMS TOUCH
HOMELESS FAMILIES AND MAKE SURE THE PROGRAMS ARE CONNECTED TO
OTHER FEDERAL PROGRAMS. SO RATHER THAN JUST LOOKING AT
HOMELESSNESS AS AN ISOLATED SILO AND LOOKING AT GRANT FUNDING
THAT COULD BE AVAILABLE IN THAT CATEGORY, WHAT WE ALL HAVE ARE
PROGRAMS THAT INTERSECT WITH FAMILIES THAT MAY FIND
THEMSELVES HOMELESS BUT WE DON'T NECESSARILY SEE THEM THROUGH
THAT LENS. I WANT TO TURN TO BARBARA TO
GIVE A LITTLE BIT OF ADDITIONAL FRAME WORK.
AND THEN INTRODUCE OUR PANELISTS AND GUESTS WITH US TODAY.
BARBARA? >> THANK YOU.
WELL, AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AS A COUNCIL.
I THANK EVERYONE WHO IS WITH US IN THE ROOM TODAY.
WELCOME. ESPECIALLY WANT TO THANK THOSE
JOINING US VIA THE WEBCAST AS WELL AS THOSE HERE IN THE ROOM.
AS SECRETARY SABELIAS SAID, THESE PROGRAMS THAT WE ARE --
HAVE BEEN MOST FOCUS ON ARE THOSE THAT INCLUDE EVERYTHING
FROM MEDICAID TO PUBLIC HOUSING TO TANF.
WE'RE ENCOURAGING COMMUNITIES TO BLEND THESE RESOURCES TOGETHER
IN A WAY THAT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN IN THE PAST.
WE ARE JOINED TODAY BY TWO SPEAKERS THAT REALLY HAVE BEEN
ABLE TO MOVE FROM JUST A TARGETED ASSISTANCE-ONLY
APPROACH IN THEIR COMMUNITY TO ONE THAT REALLY BLENDS THE
MAINSTREAM RESOURCES IN WITH THE TARGETED PROGRAM.
THEY'RE GOING TO HIGHLIGHT THE WAYS THAT THE SYSTEM WORKS IN
THEIR COMMUNITY. THEY'RE BROUGHT TO US BECAUSE
THEY HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY INNOVATIVE IN THEIR APPROACHES.
THEY HAVE BEEN USING THE EVIDENCE THAT HAS THE BEST
PRACTICES. THE WORK THEY HAVE DONE HAS
REALLY BEEN TO STREAMLINE AND AVOID THE DUPLICATION OF EFFORT.
SO THEY'RE REALLY MODEL COMMUNITIES AND WE HOPE AS WE
ENGAGE WITH THEM, THEY CAN BRING FORWARD THEIR -- THE STRATEGIES
THAT THEY HAVE FOUND TO BE MOST USEFUL IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND
THAT INTERSECTION OF SERVICES DELIVERY AND THE INTERSECTION
WITH THE PUBLIC POLICY PERSPECTIVE.
WITH THAT, I WANT TO INTRODUCE MICHELLE FLYNN AND LET YOU KNOW
THAT SHE'S BEEN WITH THE ROAD HOME IN SALT LAKE CITY FOR A
NUMBER OF YEARS AND HAS BEEN QUITE THE INNOVATOR THERE.
WE'VE BEEN FANS OF HER WORK FOR A LONG TIME.
ROAD HOME PROVIDES EMERGENCY SHELTER TO TRANSITIONAL HOUSING.
MOST RECENTLY HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTING REALLY INNOVATIVE
RAPID RE-HOUSING. SHE'S HAD A GREAT PARTNER IN THE
STATE OF UTAH. SHE'S GOING TO TALK ABOUT HOW
THEY HAVE USED EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE TO BUILD A REAL
CONTINUUM. SHE'S JOINED ON THE PANEL BY
MICHAEL MIRA. HE'S THE DIRECTOR OF THE TACOMA
HOUSING AUTHORITY. I'VE HAD THE PLEASURE OF
VISITING WITH MICHAEL IN HIS HOME AND SEEING THE GREAT WORK
THEY'RE DOING THERE. MICHAEL IS ONE OF THOSE HOUSING
AGENCIES THAT HAS REACHED OUT AND WORK WITH LOCAL CONTINUUM OF
CARE. MICHAEL IS ONE WHO HIS WORK IS
ABOUT THE EVIDENCE AND CREATING NEW EVIDENCE.
SO I THINK WE CAN LISTEN TO WHAT HE'S LEARNING AS THEY'RE
BUILDING THE EVIDENCE AND HOW THEY HAVE BEEN MODIFYING THEIR
PROGRAMS IN EVER MORE INNOVATIVE WAYS.
SO THEY EACH GET TO MAKE A FIVE-MINUTE PRESENTATION.
I THINK I'LL TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU.
PROCEED? >> I WOULD SAY LET'S PROCEED.
>> ABSOLUTELY. >> THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, BARBARA AND SECRETARY SEBELIUS AND SECRETARY DONOVAN.
THROUGH OUR YEAR-ROUND AND WINTER SYSTEM PROGRAMS, WE
PROVIDED SHELTER TO 659 FAMILIES LAST YEAR.
OF THOSE FAMILIES, 572 MOVED OUT OF THE SHELTER DUE IN LARGE PART
TO THE PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS WITH HOUSING
AUTHORITIES, SERVICE PARTNERS AND LOCAL AND STATE AND FEDERAL
AGENCIES. AT THE ROAD HOME, WE OPERATE AS
A HOUSING-FIRST SHELTER. THE HART OF OUR PROGRAM IS RAPID
REHOUSING. WE GEAR OUR PROGRAMS TOWARDS
HELPING FAMILIES MOVE OUT OF HOMELESSNESS AS QUICKLY AS
POSSIBLE. WITH AN INITIAL INFUSION OF
SERVICES WHILE IN THE SHELTER AND CONTINUE THAT SUPPORT INTO
HOUSING. AS THE CENTRAL RAPID REHOUSING
AGENCY IN SALT LAKE COUNTY, WE PROVIDE THE SERVICE TO PARTNER
AGENCIES THAT WORK WITH FAMILIES EXPERIENCING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE,
WORK WITH FAMILIES WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT LIAISONS AND
ANOTHER FAMILY CHURCH-BASED SHELTER PROGRAM.
OUR RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAM WAS BUILT WITH THE INFUSION OF HUD,
HOMELESS PREVENTION AND HPRP DOLLARS.
WE ALSO HAD AT THAT TIME A LARGE COMMITMENT FROM THE STATE'S TANF
FUNDS. ALL FAMILIES IN OUR EMERGENCY
SHELTER HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ASSESSED FOR HOUSING AFTER
SEVEN DAYS. THE ASSESSMENT AND THE SERVICES
PROVIDED ARE VERY FOCUSED ON IDENTIFYING AND MITIGATING
HOUSING BARRIERS. THE FLEXIBILITY WITH THE FUNDS
ALLOWED US FOR THE FIRST TIME TO HELP PAY DOWN A UTILITY DEBT SO
A FAMILY COULD GET THE GAS OR ELECTRICITY TURNED ON IN THEIR
APARTMENT. THAT FLEXIBILITY ALLOWED US TO
PAY RENTAL APPLICATION FEES SO FAMILIES COULD APPLY FOR
APARTMENTS AND PAY DEPOSITED TO GET PAST THE BARRIER OF THE UP
FRONT PAYMENT. THROUGHOUT OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH
THE STATE DWS AND TANF, WE DEVELOPED A STRONG COMPONENT OF
THIS PROGRAM. FAMILIES ARE REQUIRED TO MEET
WITH A COUNSELOR AT OUR SHELTERS PRIOR TO BEING APPROVED FOR
RAPID REHOUSING. DWS PROVIDES EACH FAMILY WITH AN
ASSESSMENT AND MAINSTREAM BENEFITS ELIGIBILITY REVIEW AND
THEN THE FAMILY CAN LEAVE WITH A PLAN TO INCREASE EMPLOYMENT AND
HOUSING. FOLLOWING THE INFUSION OF
SERVICES, WE CONTINUE TO PROVIDE RENTAL ASSISTANCE ONCE THE
FAMILY IS HOUSED FOR AN AVERAGE OF FIVE MONTHS.
EACH FAMILY SITUATION IS REVIEWED ONCE A MONTH AND THAT
SUPPORT IS CONTINUED BASED ON
THE OUTCOME OF THAT REVIEW. FOR EXAMPLE, WE'RE SEEKING MORE
FLEXIBILITY AROUND RULES, WHICH PREVENT US FROM BREEDING
TOGETHER DIFFERENT KIND OF HOUSING SUPPORT.
SPECIFICALLY, WE HAVE A FEW HOUSEHOLDS THAT WE MOVED OUT
INTO LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT PROPERTIES.
AND WE UTILIZE TANF OR HPRP TO HELP THEM MOVE OUT INITIALLY.
AFTER A FEW MONTHS, WE DETERMINED THAT A COUPLE
FAMILIES NEEDED LONGER ASSISTANCE AND WE'RE ATTEMPTING
TO USE HUD LEASING CARE DOLLARS. THAT PROGRAM REQUIRES THE LEASE
TO BE IN THE NAME OF THE AGENCY AND IN A LOW-INCOME HOUSE TAX
CREDIT PROGRAM. WE'RE LOOKING AT SOLUTIONS
AROUND THAT. THIS TYPE OF FRONT LINE
FLEXIBILITY IS REALLY NEEDED TO BRING IN THE RESOURCES FROM A
VARIETY OF AGENCIES. I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU JUST A
BRIEF LIST OF OUR PARTNERSHIPS AND RESOURCES THAT ORIGINATE IN
ALL THE DEPARTMENTS AROUND THE STABLE.
THE TANF FUNDING HELPS WITH RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND CASE
MANAGEMENT. TANF SUPPORTS THE DWS STAFF THAT
PROVIDE THE EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE TO OUR FAMILIES IN A
SHELTER AND AFTER THEY MOVE INTO HOUSING.
THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SUPPORT.
THE SCHOOL DISTRICT LIAISONS THAT COME ON SITE TO OUR SHELTER
EVERY DAY, BOTH BRINGING US REFERRALS FOR FAMILIES LIVING
OUTSIDE AND GETTING KIDS ENROLLED IN SCHOOL.
HUD'S GRANT FUNDING HOPES WITH LOCATION.
THERE'S LEASING DOLLARS FOR THE FAMILIES THAT NEED LONG
ASSISTANCE. THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS, WE HAVE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR A FAMILY'S GRANT
THAT WILL BEGIN OCTOBER ONE. THAT WILL BETTER SERVE VETERAN
FAMILIES AND FREE UP OTHER DOLLARS FOR TRADITIONAL
FAMILIES. AND VOUCHERS FOR HOUSEHOLDS
EXPERIENCING CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FUNDING PROVIDES
SHELTER FOR THE FAMILIES WHO WE CAN THEN HELP WITH REPAID
REHOUSING ASSISTANCE. THE AMERICORPS PROGRAMS WORKS
WITH THE LANDLORD TO DESCRIBE PROGRAMS.
WE CONTINUE TO STRIVE TO WORK WITH A VARIETY OF FUNDING
STREAMS AND SEW THEM TOGETHER TO CREATE THIS BACKBONE OF SUPPORT
THAT WILL ENABLE FAMILIES TO LOOK BACK AT THEIR TIME OF
HOMELESSNESS AND LOOK AT A BLIP IN THEIR LIVES.
THANK YOU. >> VERY IMPRESSIVE, MICHELLE.
WE'LL GET A CHANCE TO DRILL DOWN ON SOME OF WHAT YOU'VE TALKED
ABOUT. MICHAEL, IF YOU WANT TO GO
FORWARD. >> THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION TO VISIT WITH YOU.
I'D LIKE TO TELL YOU ABOUT THREE INITIATIVES OF THE TACOMA
HOUSING AUTHORITY THAT WILL TEST OUR ABILITY TO SERVE HOMELESS
FAMILIES EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY.
I'LL START BY NOTING FOUR THEMES TO THIS WORK.
THAT EACH OF THESE THREE EXAMPLES ILICIT.
THESE THEMES AROSE OUT OF ALMOST TEN YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE
PUGET SOUND AREA AND PROGRAM DESIGN AND EVALUATION LED IN
MEANINGFUL WAYS BY THE BILL AND BELINDA GATES FOUNDATION,
BUILDING CHARGES IN WASHINGTON STATE AND OUR CONTINUUM OF CARE
SYSTEM IN PIERCE COUNTY, WHICH IS THE COUNTY IN WHICH THE CITY
OF TACOMA SITS. THE FIRST THEME IS THAT THE MAIN
LINE PROGRAMS OF PUBLIC HOUSING AND HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERS WE
FIND TO BE NOT WELL-SUITED TO INTERVENE INTO FAMILY
HOMELESSNESS. FOR REASONS WE CAN DISCUSS, IF
YOU WISH. BUT IT PUSHED US TO THINK OF
OTHER WAYS TO DO BUSINESS. THE SECOND THEME WOULD HAVE A
HOUSING AUTHORITY UNDERSTAND ITS MISSION BROADLY.
THAT A HOUSING AUTHORITY SHOULD BE INTERESTED NOT JUST IN
HOUSING FAMILIES, BUT HELPING THEM PROSPER.
THE TACOMA HOUSING AUTHORITY HAVE WRITTEN INTO ITS AGENCY
STRATEGIC MISSION THE GOAL OF HELPING FAMILIES SUCCEED NOT
JUST AS TENANTS BUT AS PARENTS, STUDENTS, WAGE EARNERS AND ASSET
BUILDERS. I BROUGHT A COPY OF OUR
STRATEGIC DIRECTIVES, IF YOU'D LIKE TO SEE THEM.
THE THIRD THEME IS THAT HOUSING AUTHORITY, IF IT'S LIABLELY AND
ALERT, MUST EMBED ITSELF DEEPLY INTO A WIDE-RANGING PARTNERSHIP
IN THE COMMUNITY. IN ORDER TO GET THAT WORK DONE.
AND ALL THREE OF THOSE THEMES ARE EVIDENT IN THE EXAMPLES I'M
ABOUT TO DESCRIBE. THEY'RE ALL DEPENDENT UPON THE
FOURTH THEME, WHICH IS THE PROGRAMMATIC AND FINANCIAL
FLEXIBILITY OF THE MOVING TO WORK PROGRAM.
HERE I'D LIKE TO OFFER MY FIRST THANK YOU TO SECRETARY DONOVAN
FOR TACOMA HOUSING AUTHORITIES MOVING TO WORK STATUS.
WE'RE IN OUR SECOND FULL YEAR OF MOVING TO WORK ACTIVITIES AND WE
COUNT IT TO BE A TRANSFORMING AUTHORITY THAT ALLOWS US TO DO
THE FOLLOWING WORK AMONG OTHERS. FIRST, THE TACOMA HOUSING
AUTHORITY IS REDIRECTING A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF ITS
HOUSING DOLLARS INTO PIERCE COUNTY'S RAPID REHOUSING
PROGRAM. PIERCE COUNTY HAS A RAPID
REHOUSING PROGRAM WITH MANY OF THE ELEMENTS SIMILAR TO WHAT
MICHELLE JUST DESCRIBED IN SALT LAKE CITY.
AND WE WILL REDISTRICT OUR HOUSING DOLLARS INTO THAT
PROGRAM TO SERVE HOMELESS FAMILIES.
AND I'LL ASK YOU TO DO THIS THOUGHT EXPERIMENT WITH US.
IF WE REDIRECTED A MILLION DOLLARS OF -- FOR EXAMPLE, FROM
OUR VOUCHER PROGRAM, WE WILL SERVE 130 FEWER VOUCHER
FAMILIES. PROCESSED THROUGH THE RAPID
REHOUSING SYSTEM, WE WILL THEN BE ABLE TO SAVE MORE THAN 300
FAMILY AS YEAR FROM HOMELESSNESS.
WE COUNT THAT AS A GOOD USE OF A HOUSING DOLLAR AND MAKE US
RELEVANT IN THE LOCAL EFFORT TO INTERVENE INTO THE CRISIS OF
HOMELESSNESS WHEN OTHERWISE WE'RE ACTUALLY VERY MUCH LESS
RELEVANT. THE HOUSING DOLLARS USED IN THIS
WAY REPRESENT ONLY ABOUT 3% OF OUR VOUCHER DOLLARS, BUT USED IN
THAT WAY COULD INTERVENE IN MORE THAN A THIRD OF THE HOMELESS
FAMILIES THAT COME -- WHO SURFACE FOR ASSISTANCE IN PIERCE
COUNTY EVERY YEAR. THE SECOND EXAMPLE PERTAINS TO
TACOMA HOUSING AUTHORITY EDUCATION PROGRAM.
WE FIND OUT HOW THEY SPEND HOUSING RESOURCES TO GET TWO
OTHER THINGS DONE. HELP THE CHILDREN WE HOUSE
SUCCEED IN SCHOOL, HELP THE SCHOOLS THAT SERVE OUR
COMMUNITIES SUCCEED. AND I'LL ASK YOU TO NOTE THAT
THOSE ARE TWO DIFFERENT GOALS. OUR EDUCATION PROJECT HAS MANY
ELEMENTS TO THEM. I'LL LEAVE YOU WITH A
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT. I WANT TO TELL YOU ABOUT THE
McCARVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROJECT.
McCARVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IS AN IMPORTANT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN
TACOMA. IT HOUSES THE POOREST POPULATION
OR IT SERVES THE POOREST POPULATION OF STUDENTS IN THE
REGION. IT'S GOT THE MOST HOMELESS
CHILDREN OF ANY SCHOOL IN THE REGION AND HAS ALL THE OUTCOMES
THAT WE HAVE SOMEHOW COME TO EXPECT AND ACCEPT OF A SCHOOL
LIKE THAT. WHAT CAUGHT OUR ATTENTION IS THE
TURNOVER RATE AMONG THE CHILDREN.
IN THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS RANGE FROM 107 TO 170%.
IF YOU'RE A TEACHER IN FRONT OF A CLASSROOM IN SEPTEMBER, IT
MEANS BY JUNE YOUR STUDENT IN THE AGGREGATE HAVE TURNED OVER
ONCE AND SOMETIMES A SECOND TIME.
IT'S LIKE TEACHING CLASS IN THE WAITING AREA OF A BUS DEPOT.
NO MATTER HOW GOOD THAT TEACHER IS, ALL THE DATA SHOWS THAT THE
EFFECTS OF THE TURNOVER ARE DESTRUCTIVE.
FOR THE CHILDREN THAT ARE COMING AND GOING AND FOR THEIR
CLASSMATES THAT SEE IT HAPPEN. THIS IS NOT A POPULATION
TRANSIENT BECAUSE OF OCCUPATION. IT'S NOT A FARMER POPULATION.
IT'S NOT A MILITARY POPULATION. IT IS A POPULATION TRANSIENT
BECAUSE OF DEEP POVERTY AND THE HOMELESSNESS AND FAMILY
DYSFUNCTION THAT COMES WITH IT. SO WHEN WE SAW THAT, WE THOUGHT,
WELL, WE'RE A HOUSING AUTHORITY. WE HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT
THIS. THAT BEGAN A YEAR'S WORTH OF
PLANNING AND DISCUSSION WITH OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT AND A WIDE ARRAY
OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS THAT RESULTED IN THE McCARVER
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROJECT, WHICH IS NOW BEGINNING ITS SECOND
YEAR. IT HAS THESE ELEMENTS.
THE FIRST ELEMENT IS WE ARE POURING HOUSING DOLLARS INTO THE
SCHOOL TO STABILIZE IT. AND WE ARE PROVIDING RENTAL
ASSISTANCE TO 50 FAMILIES WHOSE 79 CHILDREN CONSTITUTE ABOUT A
FIFTH OF THE SCHOOL. PROVIDING THEM WITH RENTAL
ASSISTANCE THAT LASTS A MAXIMUM OF FIVE YEARS.
STARTING HIGH PAYING MOST OF THE RENT, TAPERING DOWN TO ZERO
AFTER FIVE YEARS. THE PROGRAM COMES WITH
EXPECTATIONS OF THOSE FAMILIES. THE FIRST EXPECTATION, WE
ACTUALLY ASKED THEM TO SIGN A BLOOD OATH WITH US THAT FIRST
SAYS THEY HAVE TO KEEP THEIR CHILDREN AT McCARVER.
THIS IS WORTH SOME EMPHASIS. A STANDARD HOUSING STRATEGY TO
INTERVENE INTO A SCHOOL LIKE THAT IS TO PROVIDE VOUCHERS TO
FAMILIES SO THEY CAN ESCAPE AND GO FIND THEMSELVES A BETTER
SCHOOL. HERE WE'RE ASKING THE FAMILIES
TO STAY IN PLACE. THE REASON WE'RE DOING THAT IS
BECAUSE IF WE HAD GIVEN 50 VOUCHERS TO FAMILIES, THEY WOULD
HAVE LEFT PERHAPS AND PERHAPS TO THEIR ADVANTAGE OR THEY WOULD
HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY ANOTHER 50 FAMILIES FROM THE SHELTER AND
THE COULDN'T WOULDN'T HAVE CHANGED, THIS PROGRAM IS FOCUSED
ON THE SCHOOL AS MUCH AS IT IS THE INDIVIDUAL FAMILIES.
THE OTHER OBLIGATION WE ASKED THE FAMILIES TO UNDERTAKE IS TO
DO WHAT PARENTS NEED TO DO FOR THEIR CHILDREN'S SCHOOL SUCCESS,
GET THEM TO SCHOOL ON TIME EVERY DAY, ATTEND EVERY PARENT/TEACHER
STUDENT CONFERENCE, ATTEND EVERY PTA MEETING, MAKE HOMEWORK TIME
AND HOMEWORK SPACE AVAILABLE. WE ALSO ASK THE PARENTS WHO
PARTICIPATE ACTIVELY IN THEIR INDIVIDUALIZED PLAN FOR THEIR
OWN EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS.
WITH A WIDE ARRAY OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS, INCLUDING OUR LOCAL
WORK FORCE INVESTMENT AGENCY. OUR LOCAL TITLE 4 A, 4 B, 4 E
AGENCY. THEN WE HAD EXPECTATIONS OF THE
SCHOOL DISTRICT. WE DIDN'T WANT TO JUST HAND THE
SCHOOL DISTRICT THE ARRAY OF RESOURCES.
WE WANTED THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO STEP UP AND USE THE OCCASION TO
DO WHAT LEADING EDGE THINKING SUGGESTED TO BE NECESSARY TO
TURN A SCHOOL LIKE THAT AROUND. AND HERE I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE
THE FULL PARTNERSHIP OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT WELCOMED US
WARMLY INTO THAT SCHOOL. AND I'LL JUST MENTION ONE
INVESTMENT THEY'RE MAKING, WHICH IS TO TURN THAT SCHOOL INTO AN
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PRIMARY GREAT PROGRAM, WHICH
WILL RAISE THE TEACHERS AND THE STUDENTS SCHOOLWIDE.
WE HAVE BE HAPPY CHANCE THIS SUMMER TO HOST HUD DEPUTY
SECRETARY MAURICE JONES WHEN HE CAME TO VISIT McCARVER AND SPENT
THE MORNING WITH THEM LEARNING ABOUT THIS PROGRAM.
THE THIRD EXAMPLE IS A COLLABORATION 16 PUBLIC HOUSING
AUTHORITIES IN WASHINGTON STATE AND THREE NONPROFIT PROVIDERS OF
HOUSE HAVING ARRANGED WITH OUR CHILD WELFARE AGENT.
THE GIST OF IT IS TO EQUIP MORE WELFARE WORKERS FOR MORE HOUSING
RESOURCES WHEN IN THEIR JUDGMENT WOULD WORK AND AS NECESSARY TO
PREVENT FOSTER CARE PLACEMENT, TO SHORTEN IT OR TO SAVE A
TEENAGER AGING OUT OF FOSTER CARE FROM HOMELESSNESS.
IT'S OUR EFFORT TO BOLSTER AND IMPROVE UPON THE STATE'S
EXPERIENCE WITH THE FAMILY UNIFICATION PROGRAM, WHICH HAS
HAD SOME LIMITATION. WE'RE PRETTY EXCITED ABOUT THIS.
AND WE THINK THIS WILL BE A VERY GOOD USE OF THE HOUSING DOLLARS,
SERVING FAMILIES HOUSES ARE SERVICING ANYWAY BUT WITHOUT THE
SUPPORT THAT THESE HOUSES NEED TO SUCCEED.
I'LL MENTION AS WELL THAT THE STATE OF WASHINGTON HAS INCLUDED
THIS COLLABORATION IN ITS TITLE 4 E WAIVER APPLICATION, WHICH IS
PRESENTLY BEFORE HHS. THESE ARE THREE EXAMPLES OF WHAT
WE COUNT TO BE THE ROLE OF A PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY.
THAT UNDERSTANDS ITS MISSION BROADLY AND EMBEDS ITSELF DEEPLY
IN A RAY OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU TO BOTH MICHELLE AND MICHAEL.
SOMETHING IS GOING ON IN NORTHWEST UNITED STATES THAT IS
VERY EXCITING AND GIVES US A LOT OF FOOD FOR THOUGHT.
RECOGNIZING THAT WE HAVE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE VISITING
THROUGH THE TELECONFERENCE, I DON'T WANT TO GO ON TO THE
DISCUSSION BEFORE I ASK THE FOLKS AROUND THE TABLE TO JUST
INTRODUCE YOURSELF WITH YOUR NAME AND YOUR AGENCY, AND THEN
WE'LL GO BACK AND HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF DISCUSSION.
SO KEEP AN EYE ON THE QUESTIONS YOU WANT TO ASK AND FURTHER
DISCUSSION. GEORGE, WHY DON'T YOU START?
EVERYBODY NEEDS TO TURN ON THE MIC OR --
>> I'M NEW TO THIS. I'M GEORGE SHELDON, THE ACTING
ASSISTANCE SECRETARY FOR THE ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND
FAMILIES AT HHS. >> I'M BRIAN SAMUELS,
COMMISSIONER FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF CHILDREN YOUTH
AND FAMILIES WITHIN ACF AT HHS. >> I'M LEE AN OLIVER FROM THE
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY. >> ANTHONY WALTERS IN THE OFFICE
OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. >> I'M THE DEPUTY CHIEF
ECONOMIST FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.
>> PHILLIP RODEFFIN. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.
I'M BEN SEAGLE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR CENTER FOR
FAITH-BASED AND NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNERSHIPS.
>> AND I'M ANDREA SERIN, A PROGRAM EXAMINER WITH OFFICE OF
MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET. >> I'M MELODY HAYNES WITH THE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. I'M THE ACTING ADMINISTRATOR FOR
THE OFFICE OF JUVENILE JUSTICE AND DELINQUENCY PREVENTION.
>> HELLO. I'M WENDY SPENCER FROM THE
CORPORATION OF NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE.
SO HAPPY TO HEAR THE SHOUT-OUT TO MICHELLE AND YOUR GREAT
SUCCESS. GLAD TO BE HERE.
>> I'M KATHLEEN SEBELIUS. WHEN I'M NOT CHAIRING THE
INTERAGENCY COUNCIL, I'M THE SECONDARY.
>> DAVE RUST. I'M THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR
RETIREMENT DISABILITY POLICY AT THE SOCIAL SECURITY
ADMINISTRATION. >> SUSAN ANGEL, DIRECTOR FROM
THE VA. >> JOHN McLAUGHLIN, U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, EDUCATION FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN
AND YOUTH PROGRAMS. >> CAROLYN AUSTIN.
ASSOCIATE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION.
>> I'M TERRY MONRAD FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.
I'M THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER. ALSO FROM THE CENTER FOR
FAITH-BASED AND NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNERSHIPS.
>> I'M LAURIE TIMMONS. I'M THE CONSUMER ADVOCATE FOR
THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE.
>> MARK JOHNSTON, ACTING ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HUD.
>> I WANT TO THANK OUR PANEL LISTS FOR BEING HERE.
I THINK YOU'VE PROVIDED A LOT OF FOOD FOR THOUGHT IN TERMS OF THE
WAY WE CAN SEE OUR PROGRAMS MORE BROADLY.
I WANTED TO START BY SAYING THAT WE ARE WORKING ON AN INFORMATION
MEMORANDUM ON THE YOUTH OF TANF FUNDS TO SERVE HOMELESS FAMILIES
AND FAMILIES AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS.
WE HOPE IT WILL PROVIDE A ROAD MAP TO PEOPLE IN THE FIELD WITH
INFORMATION ABOUT THE WAYS IN WHICH HOMELESS FAMILIES ARE
BEING SERVED THROUGH TANF. SO SPARK SOME ADDITIONAL
THOUGHT. I WANT TO THANK GEORGE SHELDON
AND THE ADMINISTRATION ON CHILDREN AND FAMILIES FOR THEIR
WORK USING TANF AS A CRITICAL MAINSTREAM RESOURCE.
WHILE I'M THANKING GEORGE, I WANT TO RECOGNIZE AROUND THE
PERIMETER OF THIS ROOM WE HAVE ALL THE FOLKS THAT BASICALLY DO
THE HEAVY LIFTING DAY IN AND DAY OUT TO MAKE THIS INITIATIVE MOVE
FORWARD. THANKS TO ALL OF YOU.
I GUESS I WOULD START THE QUESTIONS FOR OUR PANELISTS
WITH -- I'M INTERESTING IN THE CATALYST FOR YOUR ABILITY TO
PARTNER AND ACCESS MAINSTREAM RESOURCES.
I'D BE CURIOUS FOR BRIEF ANSWERS FROM BOTH OF YOU.
DID YOU DO THIS ON YOUR OWN, IS IT A ROAD MAP YOU FOLLOWED IN
THE PASS AND IF THERE ARE BARRIERS FROM AGENCIES THAT
YOU'VE BEEN TRYING TO USE MAINSTREAM FUNDS.
CAN YOU GIVE US AN IDENTIFICATION OF WHAT THAT IS.
>> YES. THERE'S A NUMBER OF CATALYSTS.
WHEN WE BEGAN RECEIVING THE HPRP FUNDS AND WE WANTED TO TAKE OFF
IN THE RAPID REHOUSING MODEL, WE WORKED WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT
OF WORK FORCE SERVICES GETTING FUNDING ON RAPID REHOUSING.
SO WE HAD GOTTEN SOME FUNDING TO HELP FUNDS OUR OVERFLOW SHELTER.
WE SAID TO THEM, CAN WE USE A PORTION OF THE FUNDING THAT YOU
USUALLY GIVE US FOR WINTER SHELTER AND TRY RAPID REHOUSING.
THEY AGREED TO THAT. IT WAS A SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM.
IT WAS A SMALL NUMBER OF FAMILIES BUT THEY WERE PLEASED
WITH THAT COLLABORATION. SO WE HAD BUILT THAT BACKGROUND
WITH THEM. IN ADDITION, KEY PEOPLE WITH
DEPARTMENT OF WORK FORCE SERVICES SPECIFICALLY AND THE
TANF PROGRAM, KEY PEOPLE IN THAT ADMINISTRATION REALLY LOOKING AT
HOMELESS FAMILIES AS A PRIORITY POPULATION THAT THEY NEED TO
SERVE. AND IN A PROACTIVE WAY.
SO THEY'RE AT THE TABLE. THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF OUR STATE
DEPARTMENT OF WORK FORCE SERVICES.
WE FIRST MET HIM WHEN HE WAS A REGIONAL MANAGER OVER SALT LAKE
COUNTY SERVICES. HE STARTED WORKING WITH US ON
JUST EMPLOYMENT AND EMPLOYMENT AROUND HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AND
FAMILIES. WE HAVE A LONG HISTORY WITH HIM
AND BEEN COMMITTED TO THIS CAUSE.
THOSE ARE THE KEY THINGS THAT MOVED US ALONG.
SOME OF THE CHALLENGES ARE CENTERED MORE AROUND THE
EMPLOYMENT SIDE OF THINGS THAT THIS SORT OF SYSTEMS, THE WAY
THAT EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE IS PROVIDED INTO THE GENERAL PUBLIC
DOESN'T WORK FOR OUR POPULATION. SO WE'VE WORKED REALLY -- WE'VE
HAD TO WORK HARD WITH OUR PARTNERS TO PROVIDING SERVICES
DIFFERENTLY. THEY HAVE BEEN AT THE TABLE WITH
US. THEY HAVE JUST AGREED IN THIS
NEW CONTRACT COMING UP TO GIVE US TWO OR MAYBE THREE FULL-TIME
EMPLOYMENT COUNSELORS THAT WILL WORK WITH OUR FAMILIES IN THE
SHELTER AND CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THAT SAME FAMILY ONCE MAY
MOVE OUT INTO HOUSING. WE SAW THIS SORT OF LAG ONCE
FAMILIES MOVED OUT, WE REFERRED TO THEM IN THE EMPLOYMENT
CENTER, THE CONNECTION SOMETIMES WOULD TAKE A COUPLE MONTHS TO
BUILD UP AGAIN. SO WE'RE GOING TO TRY THIS NEW
WAY OF THEY'RE GOING TO WORK WITH THE SAME EMPLOYMENT
COUNSELOR INTO HOUSING. THEY'RE AT THE TABLE WITH US AND
WILLING TO BE FLEXIBLE. MICHAEL?
>> I FEEL OUR INITIATIVE GREW OUT OF A VERY FORTUNATE
COMMUNITY IN WHICH TSA PARTICIPATES IN THE PUGET SOUND
AREA OF VERY INTERESTING, TALENTED PARTNERS WHICH HAVE
BEEN DOING THIS WORK FOR OVER TEN YEARS AND HEAVILY EVALUATED
EFFORTS THAT HAVE TAUGHT US A LOT.
MUCH OF THAT HAS BEEN CONVENED BY THE BILL AND MELINDA GATES
FOUNDATION AND WE'VE BEEN LISTENING.
WE'RE LUCKY WITH OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS THAT IN TACOMA THAT ARE
EAGER FOR NEW WAYS TO TRY THINGS AND HELP OUR EFFORTS CAN FIT
WITH THEIRS. AMONG THE CHALLENGES -- I'LL SAY
TWO THINGS. ONE, I'LL EMPHASIS THAT FROM ONE
END, THE MOVING TO WORK FLEXIBILITY HAS BEEN CRITICAL TO
MAKING THE HUD MAINLINE HOUSING DOLLARS PERTINENT TO THESE
EFFORTS. THE OTHER CHALLENGE WE HAVE NOT
REALLY SOLVED PERTAINS TO EVALUATION.
WE HAVE PRETTY ROBUST EVALUATION EFFORTS WRAPPED AROUND ALL THESE
EFFORTS. THAT REQUIRES AN EXCHANGE OF
DATA THAT IS HARD TO DO. ESPECIALLY BETWEEN SCHOOL
DISTRICTS AND FEDERALLY-FUNDED AGENCIES.
I'M ASKING THEM TO SWAP DATAS IS LIKE ASKING THE C.I.A. AND KGP
TO SWAP DATA. EVEN FOR RESEARCH PURPOSES,
GETTING THE DATA IN AGGREGATE FORM IS DIFFICULT.
WE WISH IT WAS NOT. >> GREAT POINT.
WE ARE ACTUALLY AS PART OF OUR AGENDA, WE ARE LOOKING AT HOW TO
GET EDUCATION DATA REALLY INVOLVED IN THIS WHOLE DIALOGUE
OTT ONLY IN THE KINDS OF SITUATIONS YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT
BUT JUST COLLECTING DATA, MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE USING THE SAME
DEFINITION AS WE TALK ABOUT YOUTH HOMELESSNESS.
WE DON'T HAVE GOOD DATA COMING OUT.
SO THE DATA ELEMENT INTEGRATED AMONG SCHOOLS IS ONE OF THE BIG
CHALLENGES THAT WE'VE AGREED TO -- THAT NEEDS TO BE VERY MUCH
ON THE FOREFRONT. I'M GOING TO TURN TO MY
COLLEAGUE, OUR HOST TODAY, AND THE SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND
URBAN DEVELOPMENT, SHAUN DONOVAN.
>> THANK YOU. FIRST OF ALL, CONGRATULATIONS TO
BOTH OF YOU FOR REALLY, REALLY IMPRESSIVE WORK.
AS MICHELLE KNOWS, I'VE VISITED UTAH.
YOU CAN REALLY -- YOU CAN FEEL THAT THE END OF HOMELESSNESS IS
IN SIGHT IN UTAH. IT'S REMARKABLE WORK.
MICHAEL, LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN HOUSING WASHINGTON
NEXT MONTH IN TACOMA. THE WORK BEING DONE THREW THE
PUGET SOUND AND YOU'RE ONE OF THE LEADERS THERE WITH THE GATES
FOUNDATION IS SOME OF THE MOST IMPRESSIVE PARTICULARLY AMONG
HOUSING AUTHORITIES. ALL THE AREA HAS GREAT
LEADERSHIP. CONGRATULATIONS AND THANKS FOR
JOINING US TODAY. I WANTED TO ASK EACH OF YOU A
DIFFERENT QUESTION. MICHELLE -- ACTUALLY, ONE JUST
TO PREACH FOR A MOMENT. THIS ISSUE OF RAPID REHOUSING IS
INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT. AS I THINK MOST FOLKS KNOW, WE
HAD $1.5 BILLION IN THE RECOVERY ACT FOR THE HOMELESS PREVENTION
AND RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAM. WE EXPECTED TO HELP ABOUT
500,000 PEOPLE. THE BIG LESSON WE'VE LEARNED
WHEN RESOURCES ARE TIGHT, WHICH I THINK MICHAEL TALKED ABOUT
SPECIFICALLY, YOU NEED LESS MONEY FOR A SHORTER PERIOD OF
TIME THAN YOU WOULD THINK TO HELP MOST FAMILIES GET OUT OF
HOMELESSNESS. 75% OF THE FOLKS WE HELPED WITH
HPRP HAVE BEEN FAMILIES WITH KIDS.
A SECURITY DEPOSIT A UTILITY BILL.
THE KIND OF THINGS THAT YOU TALKED ABOUT IS OFTEN THE
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HOMELESSNESS AND STAYING HOUSED.
AND PARTICULARLY RAPID REHOUSING HAS BEEN THE MOST EFFECTIVE USE
OF THAT MONEY. THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT WE'VE
LEARNED THAT, WE'VE GOT A PROGRAM CALLED THE EMERGENCY
SOLUTIONS GRANT PROGRAM, ESG. USED TO BE THE EMERGENCY SHELTER
GRANTS. WE CHANGED IT TO DO MORE RAPID
REHOUSING. THE BAD NEWS IS IT'S A LOT LESS
MONEY THAN WAS IN THE RECOVERY ACT.
USING TANF IS A GREAT WAY FOR COMMUNITIES TO SAY, AH-HAH.
A LIGHT BULB WENT OFF. THIS IS REALLY STARTING TO
HAPPEN. OUR WORRY IS THAT IT ENDS WITH
THE END OF THE RECOVERY ACT MONEY AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO
FUND IT ALONE AT HUD. THE GOOD NEWS IS, A LOT OF
PLACES ARE FIGURING OUT, HEY, THIS WILL SAVE ME MONEY.
I WOULD DISCOURAGE ALL OF YOU, FIGURING OUT HOW TO TAKE
EXISTING RESOURCES LIKE TANF AND USE THEM FOR RAPID REHOUSING IS
INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT AROUND FAMILY HOMELESSNESS.
SO THE QUESTION I HAD, MICHELLE, ONE OF THE THINGS IN THE
PRESENTATION THAT I NOTICED WAS 55% OF FAMILIES EITHER
MAINTAINED INCOME, EMPLOYMENT OR MANE STREAM BENEFITS OR RETAINED
EMPLOYMENT. I WAS STRUCK PARTICULARLY ON THE
BENEFITS SIDE THAT THAT'S LOWER THAN I MIGHT EXPECT AND I MIGHT
BE READING THE DATA WRONG. YOU HAVE SO MANY AGENCIES AROUND
THE TABLE PROVIDING THE MAINSTREAM BENEFITS.
WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THAT WE DO TO MAKE THESE BENEFITS MORE
ACCESSIBLE AND TO MAKE SURE THAT PARTICULARLY FOR HOMELESS
FAMILIES THAT WE'RE BRINGING TOGETHER THE SET OF THINGS THAT
THEY NEED RIGHT AT THAT TIME WHEN YOU ARE DOING THE RAPID
REHOUSING TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY STAY HOUSED?
>> I'M ALWAYS SURPRISED THAT THE MAINSTREAM RESOURCES NUMBERS ARE
AS LOW AS THEY ARE AS WELL. I THINK WHAT WE'VE SEEN THAT
WORKS IS I MENTIONED THIS INFUSION OF SERVICES WHILE --
WHEN FAMILIES FIRST ARRIVE IN THE SHELTER.
PART OF THAT IS THE ELIGIBILITY REVIEW TO MAKE SURE FAMILIES ARE
AWARE OF THE BENEFITS THAT THEY'RE ELIGIBLE FOR.
AND EVEN AT THAT TIME, THERE'S FAMILIES THAT DO WANT TO
FOLLOW-THROUGH WITH THE PROCESS. THE TYPES OF THINGS THAT I SEE
THAT PUT THEM OFF OFTEN ARE REAL -- THEY WALK INTO AND
EMPLOYMENT OFFICE OR A DWS OFFICE TO GET A REVIEW AND THEY
DON'T FELL WELCOME. THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO.
THEY DON'T FEEL LIKE THEY'RE TREATED WELL.
THAT FRONT LINE STUFF CAN REALLY AFFECT FAMILIES FOR A LONG TIME.
THEY'RE ALWAYS CONCERNED ABOUT HOW ONE BENEFIT MIGHT AFFECT
ANOTHER BENEFIT. THEY'RE WORRIED ABOUT, YOU KNOW,
GIVING INFORMATION TO DWS AND THEN HAVING SOMETHING HAPPEN
WITH CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES THAT MIGHT AFFECT THEIR
KIDS BEING WITH THEM OR NOT BEING WITH THEM.
THEY'RE WORRYING ABOUT SHARING OF INFORMATION.
BUT REALLY I THINK THE FAMILIES ARE VERY FOCUSED ON EMPLOYMENT.
THEY WANT TO BE EMPLOYED. YOU KNOW, THEY CERTAINLY ARE
INTERESTED IN THE BENEFITS, BUT THEY WANT TO BE EMPLOYED.
HAVING THOSE SERVICES ALL AVAILABLE ON SITE AT THE SHELTER
WHEN PEOPLE ARE HOPELESS IS IMPORTANT AND CONTINUING THAT
INTO THE FIRST COUPLE MONTHS OF HOUSING, THE CRUCIAL TIME OF
MOVING FROM SHELTER INTO HOUSING IS REALLY IMPORTANT.
IT'S WHEN THERE'S A LOT OF CHANGES HAPPENING WITH THOSE
FAMILIES AND IT DETERMINES WHETHER THEY'RE GOING TO MOVE ON
THAT ROAD OF INCREASING THEIR INCOME IN ANY WAY AND BE ABLE TO
PAY THAT RENT AFTER THAT. I AGREE WITH YOU, SECRETARY
DONOVAN. WE LEARNED ALONG WITH YOU HOW
MANY FAMILIES THAT DIDN'T NEED A LOT:0 SUPPORT AND DIDN'T NEED
LONG-TERM SUPPORT. PRIOR TO RAPID REHOUSING, WE PUT
ALMOST ALL OF OUR FAMILIES OUT ON TWO-YEAR PROGRAMS, WHETHER
IT'S TPRA OR TRIED TO GET THEM ON SOME OTHER LONG-TERM SUBSIDY.
WHEN A FAMILY SITS IN FRONT OF YOU WITH THE NEEDS THEY HAVE,
YOU WANT TO HELP THEM. YOU FEEL LIKE IF I HAVE TWO
YEARS OF HELP TO GIVE YOU, I DO. OUR STAFF LEARNED SO MUCH.
WHENEVER THEY WERE WORRIED ABOUT SAYING A FAMILY COULD GO OUT AND
BE SUCCESSFUL AFTER A COUPLE MONTHS, WE WOULD REMIND THEM,
LOOK AT THESE OTHER FAMILIES THAT WERE SUCCESSFUL.
IT'S LIKE WE HAVE TO KEEP RETRAINING OUR STAFF AND
REMINDING OUR STAFF HOW SUCCESSFUL THIS IS.
YOU KNOW, OF ALL THE FAMILIES THAT WE SERVE, ABOUT 60 OF THOSE
FAMILIES EVEN ACCESS OUR RAPID REHOUSING FUNDING.
ABOUT 5% WE PUT ON OTHER PROGRAMS.
THE REMAINING PERCENT MOVE OUT OF SHELTER ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT
THE RAPID REHOUSING FUNDING. THERE'S A LOT THAT YOU CAN HELP
WITH AND SPREAD THE DOLLARS FURTHER.
>> GREAT. IF THERE ARE MORE IDEAS ABOUT
HOW TO BRING THOSE MAIN STREET BENEFITS TOGETHER OR BREAK DOWN
BARRIERS, THAT WOULD BE EXTREMELY USEFUL TO THE GROUP.
MICHAEL, VERY STRUCK BY SOME OF THE SIMILAR THEMES ABOUT THE
DURATION OF THE ASSISTANCE AND I PARTICULARLY WANTED TO FOCUS ON
YOUR POINT ABOUT OUR MAIN STREAM PROGRAM, PUBLIC HOUSING,
VOUCHERS. AND FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT DON'T
SPEAK HUD, MOVING TO WORK IS A DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM THAT WE'VE
ENTERED INTO WITH SOME OF THE HIGHEST PERFORMING HOUSING
AUTHORITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY TO GIVE THEM DRAMATICALLY MORE
FLEXIBILITY IN HOUSE THEY IMPLEMENT OUR PROGRAMS.
TO BE ABLE TO MOVE MONEY BETWEEN PROGRAMS, TO CHANGE THE
STRUCTURE AND THE NATURE OF THE PROGRAMS THEMSELVES.
VERY BROAD FLEXIBILITY. WE'RE ACTUALLY TRYING TO GET AN
INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF AGENCIES RIGHT NOW FROM CONGRESS
THAT WE CAN HELP. BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT
WILL REMAIN AT LEAST IN THE SHORT RUN A RELATIVELY SMALL
NUMBER OF THE OVERALL HOUSING AUTHORITIES THAT WE HAVE.
SO I'M WONDERING IF YOU COULD HELP THINK ABOUT -- ASSUMING WE
HAVE VOUCHERS WITH US FOR SOME TIME, WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT
WE CAN DO TO MAKE THEM BETTER TARGETED OR MORE USEFUL IN
HOUSING HOMELESS FAMILIES? I'M PARTICULARLY THINKING OF THE
WORK WE'VE DONE AROUND ASH WHERE WE PAIRED SERVICES WITH
VOUCHERS, ANY LESSONS THERE, OR THE WORK WE'VE DONE.
WE'RE ACTUALLY RIGHT NOW -- WE'VE PROPOSED IN THE PAST AND
WE'RE WORKING ON SOME OTHER IDEAS AROUND PAIRING OUR
VOUCHERS WITH HHS' PROGRAMS IN ORDER TO HOUSE HOMELESS
FAMILIES. I'M CURIOUS SHORT OF JUST
MAKING -- MOVING THE WORK AVAILABLE TO EVERYBODY, WHAT
OTHER IDEAS AND THOUGHTS YOU MIGHT HAVE FOR US.
THE MAIN PROBLEMS THAT MAKE THOSE TWO PROGRAMS UNFIT TO
INTERVIEW INTO HOMELESSNESS INCLUDE THE WAITING LISTS.
THEY ALL WORK OFF OF THESE HIDEOUS WAITING LISTS SO IF
YOU'RE A HOMELESS FAMILY COMING TO THE TACOMA HOUSING AUTHORITY
AND FROM HELP FROM THE REGULAR PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAM OR THE
VOUCHER PROGRAM, WE'RE GOING TO TELL YOU FIRST OF ALL OUR
WAITING LISTS ARE CLOSED. YOU CAN'T EVEN SIGN UP.
>> BUT WHEN I RAN A VOUCHER PROGRAM IN NEW YORK, WE MADE A
PRIORITY IN OUR PLAN FOR HOME LET FAMILIES AND WE COULD SKIP
THEM BASED ON THAT. RIGHT?
>> YOU COULD DO THAT. EVEN IF YOU CAME TO THE HOUSING
AUTHORITY AND GOT A VOUCHER ON THE SPOT, YOU'RE STILL A MONTH
AWAY FROM HOUSING. >> RIGHT.
>> BECAUSE YOU STILL HAVE TO FUND YOURSELF, A LANDLORD TO USE
IT. THERE'S PAPER SHUFFLING AND SO
ON. IT'S NOT AN EMERGENCY FORM OF
ASSISTANCE. THE OTHER PROBLEMS RELATES TO
LESSONS THAT CAME OUT OF OUR EXPERIENCE WITH RAPID REHOUSING.
THAT -- IN THE COUNTY. IT'S HARD TO TELL WHICH FAMILIES
NEED ASSISTANCE TO AVOID HOMELESSNESS.
WE DON'T KNOW OF A TOOL THAT ALLOWS YOU TO TELLS THAT.
EVEN IF YOU SATISFIED YOURSELF THAT THIS FAMILY NEEDS
ASSISTANCE THAT WILL SAVE THEM FROM HOMELESSNESS THAT WILL
OTHERWISE HAPPEN FOR REASONS SECRETARY DONOVAN DESCRIBED,
MOST FAMILIES DO NOT NEED THAT DEEP PERMANENT SUBSIDY TO
STABILIZE. SO IT IS AN INEFFECTIVE -- IT'S
AN INEFFICIENT USE OF A HOUSING DOLLAR IF YOUR GOAL IS TO
INTERVENE INTO HOMELESSNESS AND STABILIZE A FAMILY.
THE VOUCHER IN THE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMS I THINK ARE
PRIMARILY DESIGNED TO ALLEVIATE POVERTY.
THEY'RE NOT DESIGNED TO INTERVENE INTO CRISIS.
AND THIS IS WHY WE ARE CHANGING THE CHARACTER OF OUR HOUSING
DOLLARS IN THE WAYS I DESCRIBE BECAUSE RIGHT NOW BEFORE WE WERE
THINKING ALONG THESE LINES, THE TACOMA HOUSING AUTHORITY, THE
LARGEST SOURCE OF HOUSING RESOURCES IN THE CITY WAS
LARGELY ON THE SIDELINES FOR INTERVENING INTO HOMELY
HOMELESSNESS. THAT WAS PRESIDENT THE PLACE TO
BE. WITH OUR RAPID REHOUSING
PARTNERSHIP WITH PIERCE COUNTY, WE FEEL LIKE WE'RE NOW A USEFUL
PARTNER. >> WELL, I WOULD URGE BOTH OF
YOU TO -- IF YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS AND IDEAS AND I'M GOING
TO -- WE'RE GOING TO HAVE HOPEFULLY 10-15 MINUTES OF
ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION. BUT JUST URGING TO SEND US
ADDITIONAL IDEAS. I THINK AROUND THIS TABLE YOU
HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE OF EVERY MAJOR FEDERAL AGENCY THAT COULD
POSSIBLY INTERVENE AND HAS PROGRAMS THAT COULD BE TAPPED
INTO. A FEW THOUGHTS AND IDEAS THAT
YOU HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE BUT THE TIME WE FINISH THIS BRIEF
DISCUSSION TO GET ON THE TABLE, PLEASE LET US KNOW.
SEND THEM TO BARBARA. SHE'LL GET THEM CIRCULATED.
IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO PUSH THE ENVELOPE A BIT.
SO DO OTHERS HAVE THOUGHTS, DISCUSSIONS FOR OUR PANEL LISTS?
GO AHEAD, SUSAN. >> THANK YOU.
THIS YEAR WE WERE ABLE TO PUT OUT $100 MILLION TO --
COMPLETELY TO COMMUNITY PROVIDERS TO HELP VETERANS AND
THEIR FAMILIES, THIS IS OUR FIRST ABILITY TO INCLUDE THE
FAMILY IN THE INTERVENTION AS WE TRY TO END HOMELESSNESS FOR
VETERANS. WE WELCOME MICHELLE AS A BRAND
NEW RECIPIENT OF THE GRANT THIS YEAR.
FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, CAN YOU SAY A LITTLE BY ABOUT WHY YOU
THOUGHT THAT THIS PARTICULAR GRANT WOULD HELP YOU, NOT JUST
THE MONETARY PART, BUT HOW IT WOULD HELP YOU IN YOUR STRATEGY
TO ASSIST VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND IF IN YOUR
EXPERIENCE THERE WERE UNIQUE ISSUES AND CHALLENGES THAT THE
GRANT WILL ALLOW YOU TO ADDRESS. >> SURE.
I'LL SAY THAT OUR RELATIONSHIP AND PARTNERSHIP WITH THE
VETERANS ADMINISTRATION HOSPITAL STAFF AND THE HOMELESS PROGRAM
NOW IS BETTER THAN IT'S EVER BEEN BEFORE.
WE PARTNERED WITH THEM ON THE APPLICATION FOR THIS PROGRAM
BECAUSE WE CAME TOGETHER AND REALIZED, YOU KNOW, THE VETERAN
FAMILIES ARE NOT -- HAVE NOT TRADITIONALLY CONNECTED WELL
WITH THE V.A. PROGRAMS THAT ARE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
AND WE COULD BE THAT BRIDGE IN A MUCH MORE DIRECT WAY THROUGH
THIS FUNDING REACHING OUT TO THOSE FAMILIES AND LETTING THEM
KNOW THAT THERE'S THIS PROGRAM AVAILABLE THAT CAN HELP THEM
BECOME HOUSED IS A GREAT WAY TO GET THEM INTERESTED AND ENGAGED
IN WORKING WITH THAT STAFF FROM THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION.
AND THE OTHER -- THE HOSPITAL FUNCTIONS AND THE OTHER
PROGRAMS, THE EMPLOYMENT, THE VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT THE
V.A. HAS ARE QUITE EXTENSIVE. TRADITIONALLY THEY HAVEN'T
ENGAGED MUCH. THAT'S THE REASON WHY WE WANTED
THIS PARTNERSHIP, TO BUILD UP THAT CONNECTION BETWEEN OUR
HOUSEHOLDS THAT WE HAD IN THE SHELTER AND THE VETERANS
ADMINISTRATION. AND YOU KNOW, I THINK THE
CHALLENGES THAT WE'RE STILL ATTEMPTING TO OVERCOME IS SORT
OF THE OUTREACH SIDE FROM THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION FOLKS
COMING INTO THE SHELTER AND ENGAGING DIRECTLY WITH OUR
CLIENTS. WE HAVE THE CHALLENGE OF
IDENTIFYING FOLKS BUT THEN GETTING THEM DOWN TO GET THEIR
ASSESSMENT AND ELIGIBILITY. SO IT'S THAT OUTREACH IS THE
AREA THAT WE'RE FOCUSING ON AND SITTING AROUND THE TABLE TRYING
TO FIGURE OUT HOW THAT CAN HAPPEN.
REALLY DEVELOPING THAT RELATIONSHIP IS THE KEY TO
GETTING FAMILIES ENROLLED IN ALL OF THOSE PROGRAMS.
WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY.
WE'VE STARTED MEETING WITH THEM. YOU KNOW, AGAIN, AS I SAID,
WE'LL ALSO FREE UP THE DOLLARS FOR OTHER FAMILIES AS WELL AS
SPREAD THE OTHER DOLLARS FURTHER.
>> OTHER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS FOR OUR PARTNERS?
GO AHEAD. >> IT'S GREAT TO HEAR BOTH OF
YOU TALK ABOUT YOUR COLLABORATIONS WITH YOUR LOCAL
WORK FORCE AGENCIES. EARLIER AT THE DEPARTMENT OF
LABOR -- >> I'M SORRY.
CAN I INTERRUPT? YOU MIGHT REINTRODUCE YOURSELF
SO IF PEOPLE ARE LISTENING THEY GET SOME IDEA.
>> THANK YOU. BEN SEAGLE.
THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR. SO YOU KNOW, JUST WANTED TO
THANK AND CONGRATULATE BOTH OF YOU FOR YOUR CLOSE WORKING
RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUR LOCAL WORK FORCE AGENCIES.
AT THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR THIS SUMMER, WE AWARDED $150 MILLION
TO 26 PROJECTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS FUND IS TO INVEST IN STRATEGIES THAT
DELIVER WORK FORCE SERVICES MORE EFFICIENTLY AND ACHIEVE BETTER
OUTCOMES. OF THE 26 PROJECTS THAT WE
FUNDED, THREE OF THEM ARE INTEGRATING AND COORDINATING
WORKS FORCE SERVICES WITH HOUSING SERVICES THROUGH BETTER
AND MORE CONSISTENT CASE MANAGEMENT LIKE THE EXAMPLE YOU
RAISED, THROUGH BUNDLING SERVICES AND, YOU KNOW,
CROSS-AGENCY COLLABORATIONS. OF THOSE THREE, ONE OF THEM IS
SPECIFICALLY FOCUSED ON FAMILY HOMELESSNESS IN TACOMA.
IT'S GREAT THAT YOU'RE HERE AND HOW COME THE HOUSING AUTHORITY
IS INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT. WHAT WE HEARD FROM THIS COHORT
OF PROGRAMS AS WELL AS OTHERS IN THE FIELD IS THAT AS RELATES TO
WORK FORCE SERVICES AND HOMELESS SERVICES, THAT THE BARRIERS
AREN'T SO MUCH KIND OF STRUCTURAL IN NATURE THAT
REQUIRE WAIVERS OR WHATNOT, BUT THEY TEND TO BE MORE ABOUT
COORDINATION AND ALIGNMENT AND CONNECTING FUNDING STREAMS.
SO MY QUESTIONS FOR YOU GUYS, ONE, CAN YOU SPEAK TO THAT -- WE
HAVEN'T DONE A LOT OF EVALUATION OF THIS COORDINATION AND ALL
THREE OF THESE PROJECTS CAN WILL BE HOLY EVALUATED.
CAN YOU SPEAK TO A STRUCTURALING ISSUE.
AND THE SECOND QUESTION I'M CURIOUS TO KNOW, HOW ARE YOU
PARTNERS WITH ENGAGING EMPLOYERS AS RELATES TO MOVING PEOPLE INTO
JOBS AND HOPEFULLY MOVING UP A CAREER PATH.
TO SPEAK TO YOUR SECOND QUESTION FIRST.
WE PARTNER WITH OUR DEPARTMENT OF WORK FORCE SERVICES.
WE DON'T DO A LOT WITH ENGAGING WITH PLAYERS.
WE SERVE ON SOME OF THEIR COMMITTEES AROUND EMPLOYMENT AND
TALKING ABOUT THE TYPES OF EMPLOYMENT THAT WORK FOR OUR
POPULATION. I WOULD AGREE THE CHALLENGES ARE
MORE COORDINATING THAN STRUCTURAL, HOW YOU PHRASED IT.
>> A LOT OF WHAT WE FOUND, OUR FAMILIES ARE SINGLE PARENT THAT
HAVEN'T WORKED A LONG TIME. ENGAGING WITH -- I'M NOT SURE
ABOUT THE WIA PROGRAM. BUT OWN GAUGING WITH OUR WORK
FORCE AGENCY AND COORDINATING WITH ALL THE THINGS THAT SINGLE
MOM MIGHT NEED TO GET BACK TO WORK.
ALL THE PIECES HAVE TO COME TOGETHER FOR THAT EMPLOYMENT TO
WORK. SO YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHY WE'RE
EXCITED TO WORK FORWARD WITH THIS ONE CASE MANAGER ALONG WITH
THE FAMILY. BECAUSE WITHOUT THOSE OTHER
PIECES, THE EMPLOYMENT DOESN'T HAPPEN.
>> SINCE UNFORTUNATELY IT WASN'T READY TO GO, WE DO HAVE GEORGE
HERE. IF YOU COULD TAKE A COUPLE
MINUTES ABOUT WHAT THE TANF REPORT WILL DO.
IT WILL TRIGGER SOME IDEAS WHERE OTHER DEPARTMENTS HAVE
MAINSTREAM PROGRAMS WHERE THEY CAN SEE THIS AS A TEMPLATE AND
MOVING FORWARD AS SOON AS IT'S READY.
GEORGE, YOU WANT TO DESCRIBE WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING TO TRY TO
GET A MANUAL TO PEOPLE ON THE GROUND?
>> PART OF THIS IS RECOGNITION -- I'M GEORGE
SHELDON WITH THE ADMINISTRATION OF FAMILIES -- THAT THERE'S
INNOVATIVE WAYS THAT TANF CAN BE UTILIZED.
STATES WILL BE IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT, WHICH IS INCUMBENT ON
LOCAL AGENCIES TO WORK WITH YOUR STATES.
WHAT WE'RE HOPING TO DO IS TO LAY OUT A ROAD MAP AS TO WHAT --
HOW STATES CAN MORE USE TANF DOLLARS TO PROMOTE ENDING
HOMELESSNESS AND GETTING PEOPLE BACK TO WORK.
ULTIMATELY THAT'S THE GOAL OF TANF.
A LOT OF STATES -- I RECOGNIZE THE DIFFICULTY IN STATES HAVING
BEEN A STATE DIRECTOR. RIGHT NOW STATE BUDGETS ARE
CRUNCHED. TANF IS THAT FLEXIBLE FUNDING
MECHANISM. SO I THINK WE ALSO RECOGNIZE,
THE SECRETARY RECOGNIZES THIS IS A COMPETITION PIECE.
BUT IT'S INCUMBENT ON THE DIRECTION THAT WE SEND OUT TO
SHOW HOW THIS CAN BE A COST SAVER FOR YOU.
IN YOUR OVERALL SYSTEM. >> THANK YOU.
OTHER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? YES?
>> I'M DAVE RUST WITH THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE
OF POLICY. I WAS WONDERING, MANY OF THE
PEOPLE YOU'VE PROBABLY SERVE OR ELIGIBLE FOR SSI OR SSDI
BENEFITS. IT'S A HARD POPULATION FOR US.
THAT TERMINATION PROCESS TAKES ABOUT THREE MONTHS.
WE GIVE THOSE CASES PRIORITY. BUT THE RE-CONTACTING AND
WORKING WITH PEOPLE -- DO YOU WORK WITH THE FIELD OFFICES OR
REGIONAL OFFICES? DO COORDINATE WITH THEM AND HELP
CHANNEL PEOPLE TO US THAT MAY BE ELIGIBLE?
>> WE DO. OUR STATE HAS ADOPTED THE SOAR
MODEL. IN FACT, OUR STATE DEPARTMENT OF
WORK FORCING A  -- FORCE AGENCY HAS A TEAM.
SO ANY OF OUR FAMILIES THAT ARE RECEIVING TANF ARE ELIGIBLE TO
WORK WITH THESE SPECIALLY-TRAINED FOLKS TO HELP
THEM THROUGH THE SOCIAL SECURITY PROCESS.
SO THAT'S DEFINITELY PART OF THE INITIAL EVALUATION AND
FOLLOW-THROUGH. >> WE COUNT SOCIAL SECURITY AS A
SIGN, SSD, AS AMONG THE RESOURCES A RANGE IF THE FAMILY
IS AVAILABLE. SOCIAL SECURITY IS NOT ON SITE
LIKE OUR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IS.
BUT WE KNOW WHERE THEY ARE. IN FACT, THE MAIN THING YOU CAN
DO FOR A FAMILY ELIGIBLE FOR SSI, TO HELP THEM GET IT, IS TO
STABILIZE THEIR HOUSING. IT'S A HARD PROCESS TO
PARTICIPATE IN THE YOU'RE MOVING AROUND A LOT.
>> IF THEY STAY IN ONE PLACE, IT'S EASIER FOR US TO FIND THEM
AND CONTACT THEM AND WORK WITH THEM.
>> MICHAEL, CAN YOU TALK JUST FOR A MINUTE ABOUT THE SCHOOL?
I'M REALLY FASCINATED AS A HOUSING AUTHORITY WITH YOUR
DECISION TO STABILIZE FAMILIES AND BY DOING SO STABILIZE THE
SCHOOL AND SEEING THAT AS PART OF THE MISSION OF EMPOWERING AND
PUTTING FAMILIES ON A PATHWAY TO A MORE PROSPEROUS FUTURE.
I'M FAMILIAR WITH THE STATUS REGARDLESS OF EDUCATION,
REGARDLESS OF ANYTHING ELSE. THE SINGLE MOST DETERMINING
FACTOR FOR A CHILD'S ABLE TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL IS HOW MANY
TIMES THEY MOVE AND HOW MANY TURNOVERS THAT THERE ARE, THAT
THAT HAS THE BIGGEST IMPACT. SO TELL ME A LITTLE BIT -- ARE
YOU KIND OF ALONE OUT THERE DOING THIS OR ARE OTHER HOUSING
AUTHORITIES PICKING THIS UP AS A STRATEGY?
>> I THINK HOUSING AUTHORITIES NEED TO BE INTERESTED IN THESE
WAYS IN EDUCATION FOR THREE REASONS THAT THE ALERT HOUSING
AUTHORITIES WILL RECOGNIZE. THE FIRST IS THEIR UNDERSTANDING
OF A BROADER MISSION TO HELP FAMILIES SUCCEED NOT JUST AS
TENANTS, BUT AS PARENTS, STUDENTS, WAGE EARNERS AND
BUILDERS OF ASSETS. WE WANT FAMILIES TO COME TO US
AND PROSPER AND TO BE TRANSFORMING AND TEMPORARY.
WE COUNT EDUCATION TO BE AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THAT
TRANSFORMATION AND IF NOT FOR THE PARENTS, THEN FOR GOODNESS
SAKES FOR THE CHILDREN. BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO HOUSE
THEM WHEN THEY GROW UP. SECOND, WE ARE REAL ESTATE
DEVELOPERS. AND WE DEVELOP COMMUNITIES THAT
WILL NOT SUCCEED SOCIALLY OR FINANCIALLY UNLESS THE SCHOOLS
THAT SERVE THEM SUCCEED. THE THIRD REASON IS IN MANY, IF
NOT MOST AREAS, THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE NOT GETTING IT
DONE. THEY NEED HELP AND BEING AN
ALERT CIVIC CITIZEN IN OUR COMMUNITY, WE WANT TO KNOW OUR
ROLE. WE FOUND THAT WE ARE AT A LOT OF
DISCUSSIONS WHERE WE HAVE TO EXPLAIN, WELL, WHY IS A PUBLIC
HOUSING AUTHORITY AT THIS TABLE TALKING ABOUT EDUCATION?
BUT IT DOESN'T TAKE LONG FOR THEM TO UNDERSTAND AND WELCOME
US. >> VERY IMPRESSIVE.
I'M GOING TO TURN THE PROGRAM BACK OVER TO BARBARA POPPY AT
THIS POINT. TALKING A BIT ABOUT OUR OPENING
DOORS AGENDA AND MOVING US TO THE NEXT STEP.
SO BARBARA? >> GREAT.
WELL, I AM VERY PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE TODAY THAT WE HAVE
OFFICIALLY AMENDED THE OPENING DOORS PLAN.
IT IS -- WITH EACH OF YOU. THIS IS HOT OFF OF THE PRESSES
TODAY. THIS AMENDMENT SPEAKS TO --
DIRECTLY TO THE ISSUE OF EDUCATION.
THE PLAN HAS BEEN AMENDED TO SPEAK TO THE EDUCATIONAL
OUTCOMES OF CHILDREN EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND
ITS ADDED SOME SPECIFIC STEPS AS TO HOW TO PREVENT HOMELESSNESS.
THIS IS BASED ON THE WORK THAT CAME TO FRUITION AT THE LAST
COUNCIL MEETING THAT COMMISSIONER SAMUELS LED.
IT SETS FORTH A FRAME WORK FOR THE COUNCIL AND ALL OF OUR WORK
ENDING HOMELESSNESS. I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT FROM
THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION PERSPECTIVE, WE TOO BELIEVE THAT
EDUCATION IS THE KEY OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL AMERICANS.
THAT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS ARE
TOO OFTEN SEVERELY LIMITED IN THEIR ABILITY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE
OF THAT OPPORTUNITY. SO WITH THIS AMENDMENT THROUGH
THE OPENING DOORS PLAN, WE BELIEVE WE HAVE A MORE
COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TOWARDS OUR GOALS.
WE WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR THE EFFORT YOU PUT INTO BRINGING
THAT AMENDMENT FORWARD. I WANT TO TURN THOUGH TO WHERE
WE SIT TODAY. PART OF THE WORK THAT HAS BEEN
DONE IN GETTING READY FOR THIS COUNCIL MEETING HAS BEEN GETTING
PREPARED TO DO AN ANNUAL UPDATE TO CONGRESS ON THE PROGRESS THAT
HAS BEEN ACHIEVED, THE CHALLENGES THAT WE FACE AND
GETTING THAT INFORMATION TO CONGRESS AS CONSISTENT WITH THE
MANDATE THEY HAVE GIVEN US. SO YOU DO NOT HAVE A COPY OF
THIS DOCUMENT. IT IS CURRENTLY SITTING WITH
YOUR COUNCIL POLICY LIAISON. BUT I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW
THAT WE HAVE SOME KEY MESSAGES THAT IF EMERGED AS WE'VE LOOKED
AT THE PROGRESS THAT WE MADE. FIRST IS THAT ALL COUNCIL
AGENCIES CONTINUE TO BE COMMITTED TO THE PLAN.
WE CALL OUT THE REMARKABLE PROGRESS THERE'S BEEN IN
REDUCTIONS AND VETERANS HOMELESSNESS.
WE ALSO SPEAK TO THE 1.3 MILLION PEOPLE AS SECRETARY DONOVAN
NOTED THAT WERE SERVED THROUGH THE HOMELESS PREVENTION HOUSING
PROGRAM. WE ALSO ARE HIGHLIGHTING THE NEW
YOUTH FRAME WORK. THE FIRST TIME THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT HAVING A PLAN AND INTENT TO MAKE PROGRESS ON
ENDING YOUTH HOMELESSNESS. AS WE MOVE FORWARD, WHAT THE
DATA IS SHOWING US THAT IT CONTINUES TO BE IMPORTANT TO
ESTABLISH THESE COLLABORATIONS BETWEEN MAINSTREAM AND TARGETED
AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS. WE'VE GOT TO CONTINUE TO TARGET
RESOURCES EVER MORE EFFECTIVELY AND WE ALSO HAVE TO BE WILLING
TO MAKE THE CHANGES NECESSARY HERE IN WASHINGTON AND ON THE
GROUND. AS OUR SPEAKER SPOKE TO THAT
ABILITY TO CHANGE THE DIRECTION AND TO ADOPT EVER MORE EVIDENCE
BASED PRACTICES IS IMPORTANT. WE KNOW WHEN RESULTS CAN OCCUR,
IT'S BECAUSE NEW INVESTMENTS ARE STRATEGICALLY DEPLOYED WHEN
EXISTING RESOURCES ARE STRATEGICALLY DEPLOYED.
SO THIS REPORT TO CONGRESS WILL REFLECT THOSE AS WE PUT IT INTO
CLEARANCE, WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE HERE TO ASK FOR YOUR TO DO.
>> I KNOW YOU DON'T HAVE A DOCUMENT IN FRONT OF YOU.
YOU PARTICIPATED IN A LOT OF DISCUSSION.
I KNOW EACH OF THE AGENCIES WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THAT
SPECIFIC DISCUSSION AROUND THE DOCUMENT IN YOUR DEPARTMENT.
BUT I GUESS I'D LIKE TO SEE IF THERE'S SPECIFIC QUESTIONS FOR
BARBARA AS WE LOOK TO GETTING THIS DOCK YOUMENT -- DOCUMENT TO
THE HILL AND ASK FOR AUTHORIZATION TO INCORPORATE THE
COMMENTS AND MOVE IT ON. IT'S AWKWARD SAYING TAKE OUR
WARD FOR IT, BUT IT IS REALLY IN YOUR DEPARTMENT AND THAT
DISCUSSION WILL INFORM THE FINAL DOCUMENT.
LET'S START WITH THE QUESTIONS OF BARBARA ABOUT WHERE WE ARE
AND WHERE WE ARE GOING. >> I HAVE MORE OF AN ADMONITION
THAN A QUESTION. THE POINT THAT BARBARA MADE
ABOUT OUR PROGRESS. WE'RE AT THE POINT IN TIME COUNT
OUT WHICH IS OUR MOST IMPORTANT KIND OF ANNUAL METRIC ON HOW
WE'RE DOING AROUND HOMELESSNESS. WE'LL HAVE THAT IN THE NEXT FEW
WEEKS. I THINK THE CALL TO ARMS FOR ALL
OF US IS THAT WE NEED TO TAKE SO MANY OF THESE GOOD THINGS THAT
WE'VE STARTED TO THE NEXT LEVEL. WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS ON
VETERANS HOMELESSNESS REMARKABLE PROGRESS.
FRANKLY WE HAVE TO ACCELERATE THAT IF WE'RE GOING TO GET TO
KNOW VETERANS HOMELESS IN 2014. FUNCTIONAL ZERO.
IN FAMILY HOMELESSNESS, IN CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS, IT'S GOING
TO BE EVEN MORE OF A CHALLENGE TO GET TO THE GOALS AND SO I
THINK -- THE BIG THING AND WE'VE BEEN FOCUSED ON THIS IN OUR
BUDGET FOR THIS YEAR, WE'RE VERY ENCOURAGED BY THE THINKING THAT
FOLKS ARE DOING IN THE BUDGETS JUST SUBMITTED FOR 2014.
BUT THAT'S THE LAST YEAR OF OUR BUDGETS BEFORE WE GET TO 2015.
AND THESE GOALS. IF WE DON'T TAKE A LOT OF THE
THINGS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT THAT ARE AT -- REALLY THE PILOT OR
DEMONSTRATION LEVEL AND TAKE THEM MAINSTREAM, REALLY THINK
ABOUT FOR US THIS IS, OKAY, NOT WHAT ARE WE DOING JUST IN OUR
HOMELESS PROGRAMS BUT WHAT ARE WE DOING WITH THE BILLIONS OF
DOLLARS, THE 5.4 MILLION FAMILIES THAT WE HELP IN PUBLIC
HOUSING AND WITH SECTION 8 VOUCHERS AND IN PRIVATELY OWNED
HOUSING. WE'RE JUST NOT GOING TO GET
THERE. I WOULD JUST ASK ALL OF YOU AS
WE REFLECT ON THE PROGRESS THAT WE HAVE MADE TO RECOMMIT THAT WE
HAVE TO STEP UP THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING, PARTICULARLY IN OUR
MAIN STREET PROGRAMS IF WE'RE GOING TO ACTUALLY ACHIEVE THE
GOALS OF THE PLAN. >> I THINK THAT'S A WISE
ADMONITION. FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT DON'T
FOLLOW SOME OF THE HHS PROGRAM BUDGETS NEARLY AS CLOSELY AS YOU
MIGHT FOLLOW YOUR OWN, TANF IS DUE TO EXPIRE.
AND THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT THE CR THAT WILL BE VOTED ON TOMORROW
BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DOES CONTINUE TANF.
WE DON'T HAVE A BUDGET THIS YEAR, SO ABSENT A BUDGET, WE
REALLY NEEDED THEM TO BE SPECIFICALLY INCLUDED.
SO AT LEAST TANF HAS A LIFE THAT WILL LAST, ASSUMING THE CR
PASSES UNTIL MARCH. BUT JUST TO PUT THAT ON THE
RADAR SCREEN. THE TANF GOES AWAY ABSENT NEW
ACT BY CONGRESS TO MOVE IT ON. WE THINK IT'S SAFE IN THE CR,
ASSUMING THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE PASS IT BEFORE THEY LEAVE
DOWN. BUT WE'RE WATCHING THAT VERY,
VERY CLOSELY BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S AN INTERESTING AND
CRITICAL PIECE OF THIS PUZZLE. >> A SMALL ONE.
>> YEAH. IT WOULD BE GOOD TO USE THE
MAINSTREAM PROGRAMS IF THEY CONTINUE TO EXIST.
OTHER COMMENTS FOR BARBARA OR QUESTIONS?
IF NOT, COULD I GET A VOICE VOTE ON AN AUTHORIZATION TO MOVE OUR
POLICY FORWARD IN A REPORT TO CONGRESS?
ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE.
>> OPPOSED? THANK YOU.
I GUESS I NEEDED TO ASK FOR THE OPPOSED.
I ALMOST SKIPPED THAT. WELL, I THINK SECRETARY DONOVAN
HAS REALLY PROVIDED A GOOD CLOSING CHALLENGE, THAT AS PART
OF OUR EVALUATION AND RE-EVALUATION OF THE 2014 BUDGET
IS TO TAKE A LOOK AT THESE INITIATIVES WHICH ARE IN SOME
WAYS EMBEDDED INTO A LOT OF THE POLICIES AND PRACTICES MOVING
FORWARD TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE NOT JUST SIDE LINED SMALL
PROGRAMS BUT THAT THEY COULD BE MORE MAINSTREAMED AND TO
HOPEFULLY BRING BACK TO OUR AGENCY LEADERS SOME THOUGHTFUL
ANALYSIS WHAT IS WORKING. I REALLY APPRECIATE ONE OF THE
THINGS THAT HAS BEEN SO HELPFUL IN A NUMBER OF THE MEETINGS
WE'VE HAD, IS TO HAVE THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE EXPERTS ON THE
GROUND WHO ARE MAKING THESE PROGRAMS WORK AND ARE ACTUALLY
REHOUSING PEOPLE, PUTTING THEM ON A PATH TO PROSPERITY, GIVE US
REPORTS BACK ABOUT WHAT WORKS AND WHAT DOESN'T WORK.
THAT IS THE BEST SORT OF CONNECTOR THAT WE CAN HAVE
MOVING FORWARD. WE ARE SCHEDULED FOR A MEETING
CURRENTLY PLANNED FOR DECEMBER. IT IS A FOCUS ON HOMELESS
VETERANS. I JUST WOULD URGE YOU TO TAKE A
LOOK AT THE DATES AND MAKE SURE THEY WORK FOR EVERYBODY.
WOULD BE GOOD TO HAVE IF SOMEHOW WE NEED TO CHANGE THAT, WE WILL
GET AROUND TO THAT. BUT THAT'S GOING TO BE OUR
FOURTH AND FINAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL THIS YEAR.
AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK MICHELLE AND MICHAEL FOR BEING HERE
TODAY. NOT ONLY YOUR WORK IS VERY
IMPRESSIVE BUT PARTICIPATING IN THIS COUNCIL MEETING GIVES US AN
OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THAT WORK ENGAGED IN BY BASICALLY EVERY
DEPARTMENT AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL WHO CAN IMPACT THE KIND OF WORK
WE NEED TO DO TOGETHER. SO THIS IS REALLY AN IMPORTANT
OPPORTUNITY. I WANT TO THANK OUR VISITORS
THAT WERE HERE ON THE WEBCAST AND REMIND THEM THAT THIS WILL
BE ARCHIVED ON THE HOMELESSNESS COUNCIL'S WEBSITE INTO THE
FUTURE. THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE
TODAY. THANKS FOR A GOOD MEETING.
THANKS, SHAUN FOR HOSTING US. ALL RIGHT.
SHAUN DONOVAN