‘OUR JOURNEY HOME’ UNDERWAY IN GREENVILLE/PITT COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA WITH PUBLIC PRESENTATION OF CITY-COUNTY 10 YEAR PLAN
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In remarks delivered by video to a Primary Care Association Conference in Trenton, NJ this month, US Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano discussed how cost studies are generating political will to end homelessness in the US.
DECEMBER 4. “An unprecedented commitment to end chronic homelessness” is how Greenville Mayor Patricia Dunn and Pitt County Commissioners Chair Melvin C. McLawhorn describe the newly adopted city-county “Our Journey Home 10 Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness” presented at a public ceremony on Tuesday, December 2. The Plan was developed by a 50+ member Blue Ribbon Task Force appointed in January by Mayor Dunn and then Commissioners Chair Mark Owen, and led by co-chairs Dr. Robert Thompson of East Carolina University and Reverend Albert Shuler, pastor of Jarvis Memorial United Methodist Church. United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano, who had been present at the January launch of the planning process, was invited to join elected officials and civic leaders for the public presentation.
Director Mangano, noting that Mayor Dunn had committed to the Plan development when she first took office, affirmed her commitment to seeing the plan finalized, and assured both Mayor Dunn and Chair McLawhorn that the initiative would be the legacy of their terms in office. "This plan stands out," Director Mangano indicated. "It is a very realistic, down-to-earth plan that intends to get the job done. It is not just a wish list."
Task Force members spent 8 months gathering data on homelessness in the community, holding focus groups and community forums, and reviewing best practice approaches being used in other 10 Year Plan communities that are achieving reductions in homelessness. There are more than 350 jurisdictionally-led, community-based 10 Year Plan efforts underway across the country, including more than a dozen in North Carolina.
The Plan includes results from an incipient cost study of several public systems -- including the hospital/emergency room, EMS, police and the detention center but not including mental health or substance abuse treatment -- that showed the average cost to these systems annually of a person experiencing chronic homelessness was $23,786. Noting that these costs would be even higher when mental health and substance abuse treatment costs were factored in, Director Mangano indicated that finding out that we are already spending more money to sustain people in homelessness than it would cost to end their homelessness is what is precipitating a much deeper level of political and civic will across the country to accomplish the vision of 10 Year Plans.
Improving access to services is a key objective along with housing and to that end, the Plan proposes a number of initiatives including 3 SOAR trainers for SSI enrollment, annual Project Homeless Connect events beginning Spring 2009, an outreach worker to work with the police department, and improving collaboration among service providers through the Pitt Resource Connection (PRC), a network of non profits, government, and faith based organizations that meet to share and link resources.
To promote continued education and involvement of the community in the effort to end chronic homelessness, an Our Journey Home 10 Year Plan website is being established as part of an overall marketing and public awareness campaign to ensure continued momentum for the Plan’s implementation. An initial 2-year administrative budget for Plan implementation, including the hiring of a project manager, is being funded by the City of Greenville, Pitt County, Pitt County United Way, and from private foundations and corporations.
Paulette White, Homeless Management Information Systems Coordinator for the Pitt County Planning Department, who was instrumental in the plan development and launch, hosted Director Mangano and National Team Leader Michael German during their visit.
FOURTH ANNUAL NATIONAL PROJECT HOMELESS CONNECT WEEK UNDERWAY
President Bush sends message of greeting and appreciation
4 State Capitals and a number of cities holding their inaugural Project Homeless Connect events are among those participating in 2008 National Week
December 3, 2008. "This week jurisdictional officials, business and faith leaders, and volunteers from all walks of life are welcoming their homeless neighbors to the community's living room to offer refreshment and resources to create a trajectory out of homelessness,” said United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano about the Council’s Fourth Annual National Project Homeless Connect Week. In a Presidential message delivered to the Council, President George W. Bush sent greetings and expressed appreciation to all those involved in this week’s events around the country for their "dedicated efforts to give all Americans the opportunity to realize their full potential."
Over 200 communities in the U.S., Canada, and Australia have adopted the innovation of Project Homeless Connect over the last three years with the encouragement of the Council. A one day, one stop community event which began in San Francisco, Project Homeless Connect is promoted by the Council as a field tested and evidence based practice that effectively engages homeless consumers and offers immediate access to resources that create a pathway out of homelessness. Please continue to visit this web site over the next couple weeks as we report on partnerships, organizational strategies, resources, innovations, and results from the 2008 National Week events. You can also visit our National Project Homeless Connect web page for additional information about this innovation. Below are photos and initial information from two of this week’s events—Nashville, TN and Concord, NH. Click on photos for captions.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.This state capital city launched its inaugural Project Homeless Connect event Tuesday, welcoming over 1,000 homeless neighbors and advancing the goals of the Nashville/Davidson 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness launched under former Mayor Bill Purcell.
United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano was invited by Nashville and Davidson County officials to join them at the event where volunteers and consumers were also welcomed by Howard Gentry, former Vice Mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville, and Davidson County; Metro Homelessness Commissioner Luvenia Butler; Erik Cole, Chair of the Homeless Commission and elected member of the Metro Council; and Clifton Harris, the Metro Commission's Homeless Services Coordinator. Also participating were Rita Roberts-Turner, Chief of Staff to Mayor Karl Dean, and J. Hunter Atkins, the President of the Bank of Nashville which sponsored Connect and who represented private sector involvement in Nashville's 10 Year Plan. Candy Christmas, a veteran Gospel performer whose faith-based Bridge Ministry provides essentials to people living on the streets, sang at the event rally and welcome.
It was particularly fitting that among those who came to the “Volunteer State” for this event was Grace Ohlhaut of USA Freedom Corps (USAFC). A White House office created by President Bush, USAFC is charged with building a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility in America. USAFC promotes and expands volunteer service by partnering with national service programs, working to strengthen the non-profit sector, recognizing volunteers, and helping to connect individuals with volunteer opportunities.
Writing at day’s end, one local blogger described Nashville’s inaugural PHC as “well organized, well attended. . . staff were friendly, informative, helpful . . . having a one stop setup like this sure made things manageable and generally doable for folks who otherwise struggle simply to get from Point A to Point B during a typical day without going hungry in the process . . . from the turnout and number of services, it sure seemed like a smashing success. ”
CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Concord, New Hampshire, the capital of the Granite State, also convened their first-ever Project Homeless Connect this week. More than 50 volunteers welcomed homeless neighbors to the Connect event which was held at the Green Street Community Center. Members of the General Federation of Women's Clubs of New Hampshire distributed 100 gift bags for the attendees which were specialized for men and women. In a community with harsh winter weather and without public transportation available to reach all needed services, this one-stop innovation of Connect was a welcomed solution for those in need of resources that included medical/health care information and referrals, prescription financial information, haircuts, employment services, housing resources, mental health, substance abuse, and other referrals, and social services information.
The Concord Coalition to End Homelessness sponsored the event, called a "smorgasbord" of resources by the local media. Reverend Jean O'Bresky of the First Congregational Church and Linda Newell of the Community Services Council of New Hampshire, who co-chair the coalition, participated. United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Regional Coordinator John O'Brien also took part.
NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR JON CORZINE SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER CREATING STATE INTERAGENCY COUNCIL
TRENTON, NJ. November 26. New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine today signed Executive Order 126 creating the New Jersey Interagency Council on Preventing and Reducing Homelessness.
The Council is charged with providing recommendations to the Governor for preventing and reducing homelessness, ending chronic homelessness, and improving services to individuals and families who lose their housing.
Today's signing, which was attended by US Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano and took place at the Greater Trenton Behavioral HealthCare Adult Services facility, followed up a commitment made by Governor Corzine during remarks to the Governor's Conference on Housing and Development at the Atlantic City Convention Center in September. Read More>.
STATEMENT RELEASED BY THE WHITE HOUSE -
OCTOBER 20, 2008
In conjunction with the 12th meeting of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness under this Administration, the White House issued a Statement recognizing the Council's work in achieving unprecedented partnership, investment, and results.
October 20, 2008 Meeting of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness chaired by VA Secretary Dr. James Peake convened in the historic Indian Treaty Room.
"Today, the Interagency Council on Homelessness conducted its final meeting under this Administration. President Bush appreciates the work of Council Director Philip Mangano and the members of his Cabinet who invested the time and energy to make its work a success.
Back in 2002, the Bush Administration revitalized the battle against chronic homelessness by regularly bringing together Cabinet Secretaries and other top officials from 20 Federal agencies in a position to help Americans living on the streets. This effort increased Federal resources by 60 percent, created national partnerships with mayors, county executives, governors, and the private sector, and encouraged results-oriented solutions.
And results are what we got.
Thanks to comprehensive new data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, we know that over the latest three years the number of chronically homeless individuals in the U.S. tumbled 30 percent -- from 175,914 to 123,833. And the number of homeless persons of all sorts fell from 763,010 to 671,888.
U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness executive director Philip Mangano notes that this is 'the largest documented decrease in homelessness in our nation's history.' All Americans want to see the numbers of chronically homeless continue to decline, and the policies we have implemented should help in that regard for many years."
NATION'S JURISDICTIONAL LEADERS AFFIRM PARTNERSHIP OF 'ACCOUNTABILITY AND RESULTS' TO PREVENT AND END HOMELESSNESS AT ANNUAL MEETINGS IN 2008
U.S. Conference of Mayors, National Association of Counties, and National League of Cities adopt resolutions supporting 10 Year Plans and affirming partnership with Council
NOVEMBER 17, 2008. 4,000 municipal leaders including mayors, city council members, city managers, and invited guests gathered in Orlando, Florida November 11-15 for the National League of Cities 2008 Annual Congress of Cities and Exposition. Progress in reducing chronic homelessness through jurisdictionally- led, community- based 10 Year Plans, and new challenges posed by rising numbers of mortgage foreclosures were on the agenda as US Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano was invited to speak at a plenary session on ideas and solutions to stabilize neighborhoods during this foreclosure crisis and to address meetings of the Human Development and the Community and Economic Development Policy and Advocacy Committees. Director Mangano is shown here with NLC Executive Director Don Borut.
Jackson County/Kansas City, MO. July 15. Meeting in the American heartland for the 2008 NACo Annual Conference and Exposition, the nation’s county officials endorsed and affirmed through a Resolution innovations that are reducing and ending chronic homelessness in communities throughout the nation.
Five years ago to the day that NACo first adopted a Policy Resolution supporting 10 Year Planning and encouraging counties to engage with the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness to create 10 Year Plans, county officials affirmed with a new resolution the progress being made and the innovations responsible for the decreased numbers. Reaffirming support for 10 Year Plans and with special focus on homeless veterans, cost benefit analysis, Project Homeless Connect, and America’s Road Home, the NACo Resolution adopted today endorses innovative initiatives in 10 Year Plans, including Rapid Rehousing and Housing First strategies, and calls on communities to adopt these and other innovations that are making a difference on the streets and in the neighborhoods of our country.
MIAMI, FLORIDA. Hosted by incoming United States Conference of Mayors President and Miami Mayor Manny Diaz who on Monday accepted the gavel from Trenton Mayor Doug Palmer, the nation's Mayors convened in Miami on Friday for their 76th Annual Meeting. Throughout the Conference events, Mayors affirmed the goal of ending homelessness and expanded their bipartisan partnership with the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness ("Council") to end homelessness in the nation through partnership, innovation, jurisdictional accountability, and results. Mayor Diaz (shown here with Council Director Mangano) was recognized with the Council's 2008 Mayoral Leadership "Home for Every American" Award earlier this year at the Council's Third Annual National Summit for Jurisdictional Leaders.
The
United States Interagency Council on Homelessness
409 Third Street SW | Suite 310 | Washington, D.C. 20024
Phone (202) 708-4663 | Fax (202) 708-1216
The Plan includes results from an incipient cost study of several public systems -- including the hospital/emergency room, EMS, police and the detention center but not including mental health or substance abuse treatment -- that showed the average cost to these systems annually of a person experiencing chronic homelessness was $23,786. Noting that these costs would be even higher when mental health and substance abuse treatment costs were factored in, Director Mangano indicated that finding out that we are already spending more money to sustain people in homelessness than it would cost to end their homelessness is what is precipitating a much deeper level of political and civic will across the country to accomplish the vision of 10 Year Plans. 
December 3, 2008. "This week jurisdictional officials, business and faith leaders, and volunteers from all walks of life are welcoming their homeless neighbors to the community's living room to offer refreshment and resources to create a trajectory out of homelessness,” said United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano about the Council’s Fourth Annual National Project Homeless Connect Week. In a Presidential message delivered to the Council, President George W. Bush sent greetings and expressed appreciation to all those involved in this week’s events around the country for their "dedicated efforts to give all Americans the opportunity to realize their full potential."
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.This state capital city launched its inaugural Project Homeless Connect event Tuesday, welcoming over 1,000 homeless neighbors and advancing the goals of the Nashville/Davidson 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness launched under former Mayor Bill Purcell. 
It was particularly fitting that among those who came to the “Volunteer State” for this event was Grace Ohlhaut of USA Freedom Corps (USAFC). A White House office created by President Bush, USAFC is charged with building a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility in America. USAFC promotes and expands volunteer service by partnering with national service programs, working to strengthen the non-profit sector, recognizing volunteers, and helping to connect individuals with volunteer opportunities. 
CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE. Concord, New Hampshire, the capital of the Granite State, also convened their first-ever Project Homeless Connect this week. More than 50 volunteers welcomed homeless neighbors to the Connect event which was held at the Green Street Community Center. Members of the General Federation of Women's Clubs of New Hampshire distributed 100 gift bags for the attendees which were specialized for men and women. In a community with harsh winter weather and without public transportation available to reach all needed services, this one-stop innovation of Connect was a welcomed solution for those in need of resources that included medical/health care information and referrals, prescription financial information, haircuts, employment services, housing resources, mental health, substance abuse, and other referrals, and social services information. 
The Concord Coalition to End Homelessness sponsored the event, called a "smorgasbord" of resources by the local media. Reverend Jean O'Bresky of the First Congregational Church and Linda Newell of the Community Services Council of New Hampshire, who co-chair the coalition, participated. United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Regional Coordinator John O'Brien also took part. 
TRENTON, NJ. November 26. New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine today signed Executive Order 126 creating the New Jersey 
Today's signing, which was attended by US Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano and took place at the Greater Trenton Behavioral HealthCare Adult Services facility, followed up a commitment made by Governor Corzine during remarks to the 
NOVEMBER 17, 2008. 4,000 municipal leaders including mayors, city council members, city managers, and invited guests gathered in Orlando, Florida November 11-15 for the National League of Cities 2008 Annual Congress of Cities and Exposition. Progress in reducing chronic homelessness through jurisdictionally- led, community- based 10 Year Plans, and new challenges posed by rising numbers of mortgage foreclosures were on the agenda as US Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano was invited to speak at a plenary session on ideas and solutions to stabilize neighborhoods during this foreclosure crisis and to address meetings of the Human Development and the Community and Economic Development Policy and Advocacy Committees. Director Mangano is shown here with NLC Executive Director Don Borut.
Jackson County/Kansas City, MO. July 15. Meeting in the American heartland for the 2008 NACo Annual Conference and Exposition, the nation’s county officials endorsed and affirmed through a Resolution innovations that are reducing and ending chronic homelessness in communities throughout the nation. 
Five years ago to the day that NACo first adopted a Policy Resolution supporting 10 Year Planning and encouraging counties to engage with the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness to create 10 Year Plans, county officials affirmed with a new resolution the progress being made and the innovations responsible for the decreased numbers. Reaffirming support for 10 Year Plans and with special focus on homeless veterans, cost benefit analysis, Project Homeless Connect, and America’s Road Home, the NACo Resolution adopted today endorses innovative initiatives in 10 Year Plans, including Rapid Rehousing and Housing First strategies, and calls on communities to adopt these and other innovations that are making a difference on the streets and in the neighborhoods of our country.
