Alliance Online News: Using Shelter Diversion to Reduce Homelessness

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Newsletters | August 16, 2011

August 16, 2011    
ISSUES  \|  POLICY  \|  SOLUTIONS  \|  NEWS & EVENTS Forward Editor: Anna Blasco

Spotlight On...
Learn More About Using Shelter Diversion to Reduce Homelessness

A new paper by the Alliance's Center for Capacity Building explores how shelter diversion enables communities to reduce new entries into their homeless assistance system and use their available shelter beds more effectively. This paper provides information on the key elements of diversion programs, describes how to measure progress, and highlights communities using the model successfully. The paper, "Closing the Front Door: Creating a Successful Diversion Program for Homeless Families," is part of a series on "front door" strategies. Questions can be addressed to the Center for Capacity Building at thecenter@naeh.org.

Read the Brief

 

Purchase an "End Homelessness" T-Shirt

The Alliance introduced its new, navy blue "End Homelessness" t-shirts at the National Conference on Ending Homelessness last month. Due to popular demand, the shirts are now available for purchase online for $15. To receive free shipping, t-shirts must be purchased before August 31, 2011.

New Report on Runaway Youths' Knowledge and Access of Services

A recent study conducted by Michael R. Pergamit, Ph.D of the Urban Institute and Michelle Ernst, Ph.D of Chapin Hall at The University of Chicago examines runaway youths and their knowledge and access of services. The sample consists of 50 youth in foster care - 25 in Chicago and 25 in Los Angeles County. A few of the key findings are:
  • Most youth in this sample have run away from foster care multiple times;
  • Youth typically run from foster care placements because they want to be with family and friends and/or they dislike their placement;
  • The majority of sample youth ran away to a friend's home. About one-third spent their first night at a relative's home. Only three youth reported spending any time of their most recent runaway episode in an outside location such as a squat, a park, or an abandoned building; and
  • The youth sampled had less knowledge of services than homeless youth that typically comes from street experience including free meals, drop-in centers, street outreach and free showers.

Understanding the Impact of the Debt Deal

Earlier this month, Alliance Vice President of Programs and Policy Steve Berg addressed what the recent debt deal means for homelessness on the Alliance blog. This post explains what the debt deal is and how it could affect funding for homelessness and housing programs. In addition, he includes information on how to get involved in affecting federal policy moving forward.

Register Now for the 2011 Poverty Summit

The 2011 Poverty Summit, hosted by Catholic Charities USA, will be held from September 18 to 20, 2011 in Fort Worth, TX. The Summit will include a National Panel of Experts on Poverty Reduction, with panelists David Beckmann of Bread for the World, Andrea Levere of the Corporation for Enterprise Development, and Nan Roman, President and CEO of the Alliance. The Summit will also include numerous workshops and breakout discussions focused on housing and homelessness issues.
   ABOUT US

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
   2011 CONFERENCE

Presentations from the 2011 National Conference on Ending Homelessness are now available online.
   JOIN US!

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The Alliance is online: on Facebook, on Twitter, on our blog, and on our website! Join the Alliance's online community and stay up-to-date with homelessness and housing information.
   NEED HELP?

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Visit the Center for Capacity Building to learn more about the ways the Center can help your community end homelessness.


 

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