Number of Homeless Vets Drops 21 Percent

Peake Selected to Chair Federal Homeless Task Force

WASHINGTON – The number of veterans homeless on a typical night has declined 21 percent in the past year, thanks to the services offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and its partners in community- and faith-based organizations, plus changing demographics and improvements in survey techniques.

The reduction of homeless veterans from more than 195,000 to about 154,000 was announced as Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake was elected to chair the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness.

Peake's election to head the council coordinating the federal response to homelessness came as VA released the fourteenth annual Community Homeless Assessment, Local Education and Networking Group (CHALENG) report on homeless veterans.

"We are seeing significant progress in the fight against homelessness," said Peake. "This success should encourage all those concerned about homeless veterans, for it shows we can make a difference in the lives of these veterans through our services and with our community partners."

The Department has already approved funding for more than 12,000 beds in transitional housing programs, and provides about 5,000 veterans each year with residential services in VA hospital-based programs.

2008 Women Veterans Summit

The 2008 National Summit on Women Veterans' Issues, presented by the Department of Veterans Affairs' Center for Women Veterans, will be held at the Westin Washington DC City Center, 1400 M Street, NW, Washington, D.C., 20005-2750, from June 20-22, 2008. 

• Providing meaningful updates on issues raised in the Summit held in 2004
• Addressing new and breaking issues
• Offering attendees an opportunity to shape a plan for future progress on women veterans issues
• Providing information for women veterans of all eras, including National Guard, Reserves, and active duty
• Offering a Health Expo on Saturday, June 21
• Introducing, for the first time, a Town Hall Meeting on Saturday, June 21!

There is no fee for the summit but registration is limited. For registration and hotel information, visit the National Summit on Women Veterans' Issues webpage.

Return to Honor Workshop: Reintegrating to Civilian Life

The Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge is now providing a program to assist returning combat veterans in the process of reintegration into civilian life. The weekend-long Return to Honor Workshop, run by combat veterans, uses a blend of intuitive exercises to provide closure and support to soldiers. The curriculum itself has been designed by experts in mental health fields as well as veterans. Seven workshops have already been conducted, receiving a 100 percent satisfaction rating from participants, and the Freedoms Foundation hopes to extend availability to reach any veteran in need, anywhere in the nation.

Workshops take place at the Freedoms Foundation in Valley Forge, PA. 2008 Workshop dates are: March 28-30, May 30-June 1, July 11-13, August 22-24, October 3-5, November 14-16. For more information, visit www.returntohonorworkshop.com.

"Managing the Challenge of Homelessness"

The National Network for Social Work Managers 19th Annual Management Institute will be held at the Wilshire Grand in downtown Los Angeles on April 10 & 11, 2008. This year's topic is "Managing the Challenge of Homelessness." Best practices for social work managers will be addressed through speaker presentations and workshop sessions. The institute is co-sponsored by the Center for Nonprofit Management, County of Los Angeles Department of Mental Health, NASW California Chapter, National Alliance to End Homelessness, The Salvation Army, UIC Jane Addams College of Social Work, Union Rescue Mission, United Way of Greater Los Angeles, and USC School of Social Work. The cost of the institute is $60. Continuing education units will be provided for participants.

For more information, email swevents@usc.edu.

HELP USA Methods Show Reduced Time in Shelters

New York City has changed the focus of its homeless assistance system to help people move more quickly into permanent housing. HELP USA is one of the largest shelter and transitional housing providers in New York City and has written a case study describing how they refocused their programs and reduced the length of time families were homeless by nearly 50 percent.

Results were significant. At the HELP I family shelter program, the average length of time families were in shelter was reduced from 349 days to 181 days, a 48 percent reduction. The number of placements into permanent housing rose from 129 in 2005 to 272 in 2006, a 111 percent increase. The cost per placement to the city dropped by $10,080 per family because of the shorter shelter stays. Similar results were demonstrated at HELP USA's other family programs throughout New York City.

To view the report, go to:
Attachment A (PDF | 9 KB | 1 page)
The Shift to Performance-Based Management in a NYC Homeless Shelter: A Case Study (PDF | 144 KB | 9 pages)  

Register Now for the NCHV Annual Conference

NCHV's 12^th annual conference is rapidly approaching on June 23-25. The theme of this year's conference is "Special Challenges of a New Era," featuring speakers that will inspire, strengthen and even surprise attendees as we consider the emerging needs of a new homeless veteran demographic. 

Headquarters for the conference will be the Grand Hyatt Washington, 1000 H Street NW, in the heart of Washington, D.C. NCHV has reserved a block of rooms for $201 each plus 14% tax; make your reservation by May 22 to assure this rate. DO NOT WAIT– for five straight years the block of rooms NCHV reserves for this conference have sold out months before the event. Be sure to identify yourself as attending the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans Conference.  Reservations can be made by calling 202-582-1234 or toll-free 800-233-1234.

Conference fees are $275 for members, $350 for non-members. One day fees are $110 for members and $130 for non-members. Deadline to register without a $35 late fee is June 10.

For more information click here. 

For the registration form click here.

Call for Entries: Annual NCHV Awards

NCHV members are invited to nominate deserving individuals and organizations for the following awards. Winners will be honored at the NCHV Annual Awards Banquet in Washington, D.C., on June 24, 2008. Watch for updates at www.nchv.org. 

• Outstanding Member
   To the NCHV member that has demonstrated leadership in coalition building.
• Partnership Award
   To a person or organization (not an NCHV member) who has contributed to the development of partnerships to expand the services available for homeless veterans.
• Public Policy Award
  To a local or state person or organization for influencing or implementing public policy to benefit homeless veterans.
• Unsung Hero Award                                                                                                        To a person who has contributed to the recognition of the homeless veteran issue in a supporting or unrecognized leadership role.
• Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Labor Staff Awards 
  To the VA and DOL employee who has done the most to assist homeless veterans.

To be considered please mail, fax or e-mail your nomination by March 31 to:

   National Coalition for Homeless Veterans

   333 ½ Pennsylvania Avenue, SE

   Washington, D.C. 20003

   Fax: 202-546-2063; Email: nchv4@nchv.org

Grants

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation provides grants in various areas, including health. Issues such as economic security and family assets; availability and access to quality health care; adequate, affordable, and safe housing all fall under the health grants provided by the foundation. Grant applications are considered throughout the year, however the W.K. Kellogg Foundation is currently requesting that applications not be submitted until Summer 2008. For information on how to apply, click here.

Boeing offers corporate grants, donations, volunteerism, employee drives, and sponsorships among other resources to the global community. Applications for corporate grants are accepted year-round through local branches located throughout the United States. Boeing has facilities in AL, AK, AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, HI, IL, KS, MD, MO, NV, NM, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TC, UT, and WA. If you know Boeing has a facility in your area, but it is not listed, you can visit the website to contact the appropriate regional representative. For more information on Boeing's corporate citizenship and how to apply for grants, click here.