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Spotlight On... Housing Policy for Persons with Severe Mental IllnessThe MacArthur Foundation Mental Health Policy Research Network has prepared a series of issue briefs on the intersection of mental health and other areas of public policy, including housing. The brief on housing examines the challenges that individuals with severe and persistent mental illness face when trying to find safe and affordable housing. It also identifies the key issues that future policies need to address and critical steps for improving housing policy for people with severe disabilities. Putting Housing First, Making Housing Last: Housing Policy for Persons with Severe Mental Illness
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Section 811 Bill Introduced
Last Thursday, April 10, Representatives Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Judy Biggert (R-IN) introduced H.R. 5772, the Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act of 2008, which would modify HUD's Section 811 supportive housing program for people with disabilities. The bill, which is named after Frank Melville, co-founder and first chair of the Melville Charitable Trust, would make reforms to the current 811 production program and would authorize a new demonstration program on community integration.
CMS Issues New Regulation regarding Medicaid Home and Community Based Services
On April 4, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule which, if finalized, expands states' abilities to provide home and community based services for Medicaid eligible disabled and elderly populations. Currently, several states utilize this option through what is known as a Home and Community Based Services Waiver that has been approved by CMS. This regulation would eliminate the need for states to go through the waiver process and allow them to offer this benefit by amending their Medicaid state plan, making it easier for states to utilize the home and community based services option and expand opportunities for permanent housing programs and health care for the homeless providers to receive Medicaid reimbursement for services. The home and community based benefit cannot directly pay for housing, but can fund support services, such as case management, homemaker/home health aide, adult day health, respite care, day treatment, psychosocial rehabilitation services, and clinic services.
CMS is accepting public comments on this proposed rule. These comments are due June 3 by 5 pm. Read the Alliance Online News for updates and more analysis.
Results of Inclusionary Zoning Policies Vary
Recently, the New York University Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy and the Center for Housing Policy released a new study on Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) policies. The study, which surveyed the Washington, DC; San Francisco, CA; and suburban Boston, MA areas, found that the structure and results of IZ policies varied widely, leading researchers to suggest that case studies rather than broad generalizations would be more useful to policymakers. Even so, the study found that IZ tends to be most effective when implemented through flexible policies. It also saw that attainable cost offsets lower the chance of increased prices and decreased production of single-family units. While data indicated that production of affordable units rises over time, the authors concluded that IZ should be seen as "one piece of a broader and more comprehensive housing strategy," rather than an end-all solution.
Winston-Salem Journal highlighted this year's local Project Homeless Connect event in Winston-Salem. Project Homeless Connect began in San Francisco in 2005 and since then, the "one-day, one-stop shop" that offers homeless people anything from legal services to rental assistance to haircuts has been adopted by many communities across the country. About 500 people attended last week's Project Homeless Connect in Winston-Salem, a 25 percent increase from last year's event. Teresa Randall, a formerly homeless woman who attended last year's project Homeless Connect event, met with a representative from U.S. Sen. Richard Burr's (R-NC) office and told him about her struggle to receive disability payments after injuring and ultimately losing her leg in 2005. A few months after attending the Project Homessless Connect event, she was receiving the money. During that same event, Randall also met with the owner of an apartment complex and was approved for a one- bedroom apartment, where she now lives. Other connections she made at the event helped her with utilities and a deposit to rent the apartment.
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Legislative Updates 
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This audio conference covered the HUD-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program.
This video highlights how communities across the country are decreasing homelessness among families. Thanks to the support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, it’s yours to use for free. .jpg)