Monarch Housing’s Blog!

The analysis was based on 2007 data and thus does not reflect the full impact of the current foreclosure crisis. Homeless shelters and food pantries not only in NJ but across the country are reporting significant increases in the numbers of people using their services. Many of the people are families with children, a group that saw only a small decline in the report.

The Christian Science Monitor did an excellent report on HUD’s claim of a dramatic drop in chronic homelessness. We reported on this on August 4th. To read our post click here. To read the article in the Christian Science Monitor click here.

According to the Christian Science Monitor, in the wake of HUD’s recent report on the drop in homelessness come calls for more attention to interventions around family homelessness. The decline in the number of homeless families with children was far less than the 30 percent two-year drop in chronic homelessness, the article said.

Homelessness arising from the current foreclosure crisis was not fully reflected in the 2007 data, advocates warn. Reports of increased demand by families for emergency food and homeless services indicate a greater need for more affordable housing and other Read the rest of this entry »

Goal is to raise $100 million a year!

Major outreach begins at the two nominating conventions!

Over the last few months, we have had numerous posts on the America’s Road Home Foundation. This foundation has established a goal of raising $100 million in annualized support directed at ending family homelessness. Their efforts take center stage over the next two weeks as the two major parties hold their nominating conventions. On the right is a photo of the T-shirts that will be worn by all of the volunteers at both conventions. To view more photos of the T-shirts click here.

As we are aware, the scope of the problem is large–there are 600,000 homeless families and 1.3 million children impacted annually. Yet, there is no national face for the cause of family homeless.

ARH’s consumer-based research indicates there are 135 million consumers who currently donate $118 billion annually who would consider supporting family homelessness if there were modern channels or ways to give.

In order to achieve its goal, ARH intends to raise over $100 million in annualized support directed at family homelessness by leveraging a “Causal Capitalism” approach using private sector strategies to develop modern, sustainable channels for consumer giving. ARH will then drive the funds it generates to over 300 cities nationwide who have committed to a ten Read the rest of this entry »

Gives a voice to homeless veterans and their families!

The America’s Road Home Foundation will be holding a world premiere for the Veterans Vehicle Project, a new artistic project of Krzysztof Wodiczko that gives a voice and a face to the struggle of homeless veterans and their families.

We are pleased to have on our blog an abbreviated overview. Click here for more details.

 

 Veteran Vehicle Project - 5min. edit from Dialog:City on Vimeo. [4:59m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Key events to be held during political conventions!

Donation number is 1-877-US1-ROAD!

America’s Road Home (ARH), an innovative new non-profit focused on ending family homelessness, has launched a strategy to bring national attention to the issue of family homelessness during both the Democratic National Convention (DNC) and the Republican National Convention (RNC). Utilizing a mix of public art, non-traditional marketing and public policy dialogue in a bi-partisan effort to raise the national consciousness around this important issue, ARH hopes to ensure that both presidential candidates are aware of the fact that family homelessness is a crisis with a solution.

According to Tom Ryan, Executive Director of America’s Road Home. “Our challenge, and our goal, is to bring awareness to the issue and to compel consumers to give to the cause. We think we can accomplish this goal by leveraging the national stage offered to us by the events of the DNC and RNC in order to engage the country, and our political leaders in a dialogue about family homelessness. In addition, we want to be sure that people know there is an issue and that we can provide a way for them to give — because the truth is that if we all work together, at the $5 and $10 level, we can actually put an end to family homelessness in our lifetime.”

Among the steps being taken are:

Joint policy breakfasts with Denver and Minnesota on homelessness in an effort to raise awareness through non-partisan dialogue with key national leaders.

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Hennepin and Arizona assessments tools are online!

As more and more New Jersey Continuums begin to develop Rapid Re-Housing initiatives the assessment tool becomes an area of concern.

To help the process by sharing information, we are pleased to post two different ones for your review.

One is from Hennepin County, which has developed the Rapid Exit program for Rapid Re-Housing. This was featured in the Ending Family Homelessness video. The documents are:

Hennepin County Rapid Exit Checklist

Hennepin County Rapid exit Screening

Hennepin County Rapid Exit Contract

The other is from Arizona’s HMIS. They have developed an assessment tool that has been documented to have a predicative value in determine housing needs. The documents are:

Self Sufficiency Matrix Entry Form

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Only six have endorsed from NJ!

U.S. Conference of Mayors adds endorsement!

According to the Interagency Council on Homelessness the number of signatories has increased to “more than 280.” However, there have been no new signatories from New Jersey. To review the document as well as the list of signatories click here. Adoption of these principles is beneficial in many ways not the least of which is to receive funding from the America’s Road Home foundation. Click here to read our posts on this important initiative.

The America’s Road Home Statement of Principles and Actions commits Mayors and County officials to work together in a housing-focused strategy that gives special attention to the needs of veterans and involves partnership with business, philanthropy, and community and faith-based organizations.

At the June 2008 Annual Meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Miami, the nation’s mayors unanimously supported a resolution affirming America’s Road Home. Resolution No. 25 at the U.S. Conference of Mayors affirmed the America’s Road Home Statement of Principles and Actions and urged Mayors to become signatories and implementers of the Principles in their jurisdictions and committed the Conference of Mayors to advance the Principles with Presidential candidates.

For more information on America’s Road Home Statement of Principles and Action click here.

For more information on America’s Road Home Foundationclick here.

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New in the 2008 Continuum of Care application cycle are funds set aside for Rapid Re-Housing Demonstration projects. As indicated in the Continuum of Care NOFA released on July 11, 2008, Congress has appropriated $25 million dollars for Rapid Re-housing programs that will be funded in each of the 10 HUD regions. HUD will award $23.75 million in Rapid Re-Housing for Families demonstration projects with $1.25 million set aside for an independent study of the selected programs. To view requirements and scoring criteria for Rapid Re-Housing projects submitted through the 2008 Continuum of Care application, click the link below.

2008 Rapid Re-Housing Requirements

For communities that are looking to create Rapid Re-Housing projects, there is a wealth of information provided through research on existing Housing First for Families programs. In March of 2004, the National Alliance to End Homelessness published a study of Housing First Programs for Families. Highlighting programs in 14 different communities, this study details the structure of various Rapid Re-Housing programs from across the country.

Research conducted by LFA (LaFrance Associates, LLC) found that all housing first programs shared key program design components above the overall goal of providing housing to families first and foremost and wrapping services around them according to their needs once permanent housing is secured. These key program design components include: Read the rest of this entry »