Spotlight On... New Homeless Veterans Paper to Be Released; Request for Local Spokespeople The Homelessness Research Institute, the research and education arm of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, will release Vital Mission: Ending Homelessness Among Veterans. This report details the number of homeless veterans by state, how housing and lack of housing contributes to the problem, and strategies to prevent and end homelessness for veterans. To ensure maximum media coverage, the Alliance would like to coordinate media efforts with our local and state partners. Service providers, local and state government, and local and state advocacy coalitions are among the groups we are asking to participate. If you would like to take part in this initiative, please contact Phyllis Gilberti at pgilberti@naeh.org for more information.
Los Angeles Times broke the news of Governor Schwarzenegger's controversial approval of a $55-million budget cut which terminated a program that advocates say has helped thousands of California's mentally ill homeless people break the costly cycle of hospitalization, jails, and street life. The cut was one of many meant to trim the state budget. The CA government is now expecting individual counties to step in and fund local homeless programs. Advocates have pledged to sue the state over the mental health program cut.
The Oakland Tribune followed up with a report on the impact of California's mental health program cut on Berkeley, a city that does not have the money budgeted to replace lost funding. Of the governor's 51 line-item vetoes that trimmed $703 million, the bulk - $527 million - was cut from health and human services, including the $55 million from the program that provides mental health services for the homeless. Berkeley officials say homeless and mentally ill people will suffer and hospitals and jails will be taxed. Forty percent of Berkeley's homeless population is chronically homeless.
The San Diego Union-Tribune reported on the effect of the budget cut in San Diego, where local officials set aside more than $3 million to ensure the men and women participating in the homeless mental health assistance program will be served through the end of June 2008. San Diego County's mental health director said the program provides an alternative to institutionalization and has become one of his department's most effective solutions since it was established in 1999. Among the 4,400 people enrolled statewide as of January, there was an 81 percent drop in the number of days they were locked up and a 65 percent decline in the number of days spent in psychiatric hospitals. Those enrolled also spent 76 percent fewer days and nights living on the street, according to program data.
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The National Alliance to End Homelessness is a nonpartisan, non profit organization dedicated to solving the problem of homelessness and preventing its continued growth. www.endhomelessness.org
EXPERT Q & A
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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. Read More >
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.
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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. 