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Hill Update
Senate Hearing on Homeless Veterans
This Thursday, May 1, the Senate Transportation-HUD Appropriations Subcommittee, along with the Military Construction-Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, will hold a joint hearing entitled, "Housing Our Heroes, Addressing the Issue of Homeless Veterans in America." The hearing will be held at 10 AM in Room 138 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. Steve Berg, Vice President for Programs and Policy at the National Alliance to End Homelessness, will testify.
Last November, the Alliance released the report,
House Takes Action on Foreclosure Legislation
Last week, the House Committee on Financial Services took action on different pieces of mortgage foreclosure legislation. On Wednesday, April 23, the Committee passed H.R. 5818, the Neighborhood Stabilization Act of 2008, introduced by Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA). The act would provide $7.5 billion in loans and another $7.5 billion in grants to states to purchase foreclosed properties that can later be sold or rented. Of the amount allocated for grants, half would be used for rental housing for very low income households, and half of that amount for extremely low income households. Further, a manager's amendment includes a provision that gives priority to activities that advance a state's ten year plan to end homelessness, as well as other measures designed to protect people at risk of homelessness.
On Thursday, April 24, the Committee started work on H.R. 5830, the FHA Housing Stabilization and Home Owner Retention Act of 2008, introduced by Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA). The bill would modify the FHA to make it easier for borrowers to refinance their mortgages. During the Committee mark up, Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI) offered an amendment to provide a one-time supplemental of $300 million to the Emergency Food and Shelter Program in order to prevent homelessness. The amendment was rejected on procedural grounds, as the Emergency Food and Shelter Program is part of the Federal Emergency Management Administration, which is not in the jurisdiction of the Committee on Financial Services. Rep. Moore has introduced her amendment as a separate bill, H.R. 5894.
Las Vegas Sun recently highlighted Horizon Crest, a development with 66 low-rent apartments for low-income residents and 12 apartments for chronically homeless people. This program, now in its fifth month, is the first of its kind in the Las Vegas Valley. The program's goals, to provide homeless people with what they most need - a place to live - are similar to the Housing First model used elsewhere in the country. All of the formerly homeless tenants at Horizon Crest have an on-site case manager available Monday through Friday and only a cell phone call away on the weekends. Nevada HAND, a housing developer, built the apartments using federal low-income housing tax credits as well as Las Vegas and state funds. The formerly homeless tenants pay 30 percent of their income towards rent, with the remainder covered by county or state funds. Michael Sumling, a 47 year old man who had moved between homelessness and jails since the age of 16 who is now a tenant living at Horizon Crest, has learned to keep taking his medications even when he is feeling "better" and says that sleeping in a bed every night is "like a dream." Sam Tsemberis, founder of New York City's Pathways to Housing program, says that Horizon Crest has taken an important step in placing formerly homeless people next door to people who are not coming off the street.
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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. 
Take a five minute break from whatever you are doing to hear about emerging issues, new research, and personal stories from experts and leaders in homelessness and housing policy.