National Alliance To End Homelessness Releases Eviction Prevention Series
This week, NAEH released a three-part eviction series highlighting the way some communities have curbed evictions from public housing authorities. Case management, relationship building, organizational structure, and financial support have all been effective strategies for curbing evictions, which can often lead to homelessness for vulnerable families. This series examines three communities: King County, WA; Cleveland, OH; and Middlesex County, MA and is part of the National Alliance To End Homeless’ Promising Practices series. Each of the three briefs highlight the strategies these communities have found to be most successful in preventing evictions.
Promising Practices: Eviction Prevention
Appropriations
The House and Senate are currently working on negotiations to finalize the federal government’s budget for fiscal year (FY) 2011; however, they are not expected to do so before the current stopgap measure funding the government expires on Friday, March 18. In order to ensure the government is funded beyond Friday, both the House and Senate are expected to vote this week on another three-week stopgap measure funding the government until Friday, April 8. The newest measure includes an additional $6 billion in cuts, but funds federal homelessness assistance and housing programs at largely level funding from FY 2010.
House Passes Bill to End Foreclosure Assistance Programs
On Thursday, the House passed a bill aiming to end foreclosure assistance programs and terminate the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). The FHA currently helps homeowners refinance their loans and adjust their mortgages. The bill also bars the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) from creating any similar programs in the future.
The House is expected to vote on three more similar bills next week, including a bill terminating a HUD program that provides emergency loans to homeowners facing foreclosure, a bill terminating the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), and a bill ending the Neighborhood Stabilization Program which provides state and local governments funds to redevelop foreclosed or abandoned properties.
“Struggling to Survive” – A New Brief on Homeless LGBTQ Youth
The California Homeless Youth Project has released a new policy brief, Struggling to Survive: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning Homeless Youth on the Streets of California. The brief highlights disparities within the homeless youth community, as well as the challenges homeless LGBTQ youth face both at home and in life on the street. The brief underscores the need for expedient policy solutions and offers strategies to address the needs of LGBTQ homeless youth both nationally and in California.
HUD Solicits Comments on New Rule to End Discrimination
HUD has announced a proposed rule to eliminate discrimination and promote equal access regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity to its programs. Comments from consumers, staff, and administrators are encouraged; commenters should share the experiences of people who have had difficulty accessing programs based upon actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity. Comments on the proposal are due by March 25, 2011.
