Expert Q & A | 1 Jun 2009

Shaun Donovan
Secretary, Department of Housing and Urban Development

What is the newest issue emerging in homelessness policy?
The current housing and economic crises and the ensuing unemployment crisis are all resulting in many households being at much greater risk of becoming homeless. Moreover, a number of communities are reporting increases in homelessness, including among families. Aggressively confronting this issue is critical. As you know, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides $1.5 billion to prevent homelessness and rapidly re-house persons to conventional housing. This is an historical infusion of targeted funds which by itself represents as much funding as HUD typically receives from Congress for all of its existing homeless programs. It’s critical communities use these additional funds strategically.

What issue in homelessness policy should everyone be reminded of?
Whether you agreed with the past focus on ending chronic homelessness or not, it taught a valuable lesson. If we understand a problem by looking at relevant research and community experiences, set a goal to measurably reduce the problem, and then target resources to achieve that goal, we can make a difference in the lives of individuals, as communities and as a nation. We should apply this lesson in the future to ending homelessness in general, including family homelessness.

In HUD’s proposed Fiscal Year 2010 budget HUD requests $1.794 billion for Homeless Assistance Grants, an increase of $117 million over the fiscal year 2009 appropriated level. Through the budget HUD intends to continue the focus on homelessness prevention that was initiated in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

How did you start working about the field of homelessness (or housing)?
I worked for a community housing developer in New York City after studying public policy and architecture in graduate school. Then one of my professors from graduate school asked me to join him at HUD in the Clinton Administration.

Where do you draw your inspiration?
As an eleven year old, I was sitting in Yankee Stadium during Game 2 of the 1977 World Series when Howard Cosell’s uttered his famous words: “Ladies and gentlemen, the Bronx is burning.” The Bronx burning on the city skyline was just one of the many visible signs that government institutions and urban programs were failing. People were asking if our cities were dead, and American families moved out of urban cores to the suburbs in record numbers. It was a frightening and eye-opening time to live in New York. But it was a time that also sparked a deep interest in me, an interest in how I could play a part in changing the policies that shaped the urban landscape and the built environment around me. I remember very vividly walking on my way to school in the morning and seeing people sleeping on the streets. I remember constantly asking myself why. Why was the world like this? And what can I do to change it?

Why do you think ending homelessness is possible?
First, because we as a nation found over the last several years that we can measurably reduce homelessness if we focus our energies on doing so. And second and more importantly, the people of this great nation do care about their neighbors, including the least among us.

Read past Take Five! Expert Q & As.