October 16, 2012

Open your eyes to homelessness

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They say homelessness is invisible, largely because most folks choose not to see it.  I recall that old Roy Orbison ballad “Pretty Paper,” which tells the story of busy holiday shoppers consumed with their own lives, blind to the homeless man on the sidewalk right in front of them.  Today, in the pages of the [...]

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May 7, 2012

Above and Beyond

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As I walked into work one morning under a railroad bridge near HUD, I noticed Mark Johnston talking to a homeless man.  As HUD’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Special Needs Programs, Mark manages over $2 BILLION in grant programs for homeless individuals and families as well as HUD’s HIV/AIDS housing program.  As the Secretary’s [...]

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January 18, 2012

Homelessness on decline in Carroll County, Maryland

According to the 2011 Point-in-Time count, homelessness in Carroll County, Maryland was 179 compared to 211 in 2010.  This is a 15 percent reduction.  Their commitment to the Opening Doors plan and permanent supportive housing have been key to the decline in homelessness. Though the homeless population in Maryland and Carroll County declined between 2010 [...]

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November 29, 2011

Daily Housing Round-up

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Good Tuesday morning HUDlers. As your week gets going, let’s delve into some housing news: Secretary Donovan visits Rhode Island to showcase revitalization efforts and highlight how pending legislation can continue to improve neighborhoods. HUD awards funds for senior housing programs in Philadelphia and New Jersey, a Kansas City young adult housing project, and disability [...]

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November 11, 2011

Today and every day, we remember

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Growing up in a military family, I always knew that I would join the military one day.  Following in the footsteps of my uncles, I proudly served my country then separated from the United States Air Force after 11 years.  Thanks to the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Vocational Rehabilitation program, I was able to [...]

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