The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) is preparing to conduct its annual member survey in October and November. More than 250 member service providers will be asked to report information that is critical to our legislative and advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill throughout Fiscal 2007.

 

The survey instrument will be posted online and will require only about 10 to 15 minutes to complete. NCHV is conducting the survey at the close of the fiscal year for most organizations so that information being reported to federal grant authorities can easily be included in the member survey. Of particular importance is information about total number of homeless veteran clients served, percentage change from the previous reporting year, gender, age groups, employment status, health needs and services provided.

 

Last year the NCHV Annual Survey showed the average age of homeless veterans in NCHV member programs is increasing, the percentage of women veterans among the homeless population is increasing, and that Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) veterans are beginning to seek assistance from community-based organizations. We expect this year's data to indicate these trends are continuing, despite an overall reduction in the number of homeless veterans on any given night over the last couple of years.

 

NCHV will post the survey instrument on its website in early October, and will follow up with member organizations to ensure maximum participation during the next two months. Results of the survey will be reported to service providers nationwide, media bureaus in Washington, D.C., and to members of Congress and their staffs.

 

 

The U.S. Government Accountability Office has released their report on homeless veterans programs to the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Veterans' Affairs.  The report focuses on the Department of Veterans Affairs Grant and Per Diem Program.  The report describes the program in detail and reveals statistics on the success the program has had over the past six years.  The GAO recommended that improved communications and follow-up could enhance the program, and the VA agreed with this assessment.  To view the entire report, go to: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d06859.pdf.

 

 

The American Bar Association Commission on Homelessness and Poverty, San Diego Office of the Public Defender, and Superior Court of California, San Diego County, participated in the Homeless Court Program at the San Diego Stand Down July 14-16. Program founder Steve Binder, Public Defenders Office, conducted a two-day training session to familiarize service providers with the Homeless Court program, and offer them an opportunity to see the court in action.  Judge Roger Krauel of the Superior Court, a Vietnam veteran who served with the 101st Airborne Division, presided as more than 150 cases were resolved. The ABA and NCHV will publish a Homeless Court Guide for organizations wishing to develop similar programs later this year. Watch for the release announcement at www.nchv.org.

 

 

 

 

On September 26, NCHV will be holding the third and final conference call in the series "Accessing Employment Programs." The call will feature Gary Shaheen of Advocates for Human Potential.  The call will be from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. EDT (11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. PDT). To register for this free teleconference program, go to employment3@nchv.org.

 

 

CSH has published the "Guidebook on Developing Permanent Supportive Housing for Homeless Veterans," created through a subcontract with the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans with funding from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The guidebook is geared for veterans housing and service organizations that are interested in developing permanent supportive housing for homeless veterans. The document also includes a case study of a permanent supportive housing project for homeless veterans in San Francisco. To download the publication for free, visit http://www.csh.org/publications. To request a printed copy, send email to nchv5@nchv.org.

 

 

The Foundation Center's "Corporate Giving Online" is an online database of corporate donors that offer support to nonprofit organizations and programs through grants as well as in-kind donations of equipment, products, professional services and volunteers. The database offers different search functions so you can find companies, grants and grantmakers.  There is a subscription fee of $59.95 a month.  For more information visit: http://cgonline.foundationcenter.org/.

 

 

The Corporation for Supportive Housing has published a guidebook titled "Ending Chronic Homelessness Through Employment and Housing," written by Katharine Gale of Katharine Gale Consulting and John Rio and Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. The 32-page document, published in August, transcribes the January 25, 2006, leadership dialogue in which a unique gathering of government officials and practitioners met to discuss their experiences in joining employment services with housing and other supportive services for people who are chronically homeless. The document is only available on the web.  For a free download, go to www.csh.org and click on "Publications."

 

 

Boeing accepts applications from 501(c)(3) organizations in the area of health and human services.  Applications are accepted continually, but if they are not submitted by October 31 this year they will not be considered until the following January.  For more information, and to apply, visit: http://www.boeing.com/companyoffices/aboutus/community/guidelines.htm.