Funders Together: Homelessness Ends Here

Please Visit Us At Our New Home!

2009-03-24T16:12:00.002-04:00

Funders Together has a new home for the Homelessness Ends Here Blog. We look forward to seeing you there!

Grantmakers Site Visit in New Orleans Highlights Health Benefits of Supportive Housing for a Cross-Disability Population

2009-03-20T11:04:00.005-04:00

After the devastation hurricanes Katrina and Rita waged on housing resources for people with disabilities, homeless and disability advocates, consumers, service providers, and state and local government agencies successfully advocated for the inclusion of 3,000 new Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) units in Louisiana’s Road Home hurricane recovery plan. The result is the nation’s first

2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: Recent Coverage from Funders Together

2009-03-18T10:19:00.003-04:00

We've posted links in a special new section of the Funders Together site to key partners' analysis of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act as it relates to homelessness and supportive housing. Here are the most recent documents featured:What the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Means for Permanent Supportive Housing ProductionHomelessness Prevention and Re-Housing: Overview of

The Solosit - Opens April 24th

2009-03-16T12:13:00.009-04:00

See below for two video clips from the soon-to-be released move, The Soloist, about the true-life friendship between Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez and Nathaniel Ayers, a mentally ill homeless musician he meets on the streets of Skid Row. The book is both inspirational and true-to-life, describing the gradual trust that builds between the two men, culminating in Ayers finding housing and

Progress in Addressing Homelessness in Los Angeles?

2009-03-11T12:26:00.007-04:00

by Bill Pitkin, Conrad N. Hilton FoundationLos Angeles has often been referred to as “the homeless capital of the world” and has a reputation as a bit of a basket case when it comes to addressing homelessness. With more than 70,000 homeless persons on any given night (a third of them chronically homeless), a highly visible concentration of street homeless in Skid Row, and famously uncoordinated

An Illustration of One State’s Analysis of the Resources Available through the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act

2009-03-10T13:16:00.012-04:00

On March 9th, Shelly Geballe, co-founder and current Distinguished Senior Fellow at Connecticut Voices for Children, presented an analysis of the “Federal Budget Overview as it relates to Connecticut” to a room full of funders in Hartford attending a summit on “Government and Philanthropy working together.” Her analysis provides a very helpful summary of the purposes, timeline and scope of ARRA,

HUD releases interactive map to view total state allocations under the economic recovery act

2009-03-03T13:55:00.006-05:00

(Click on image to access interactive map)

Upping the Odds on Successful Prevention and Rapid Rehousing

2009-03-03T11:20:00.007-05:00

By Mary Cunningham, The Urban InstituteEvery day I wade through dismal headlines and discouraging data. Perhaps most troubling is that communities that were once reporting declines in homelessness are now reporting significant increases, particularly among families.I could feed you gloom and doom statistics by the spoonful, but let’s look for something positive instead.There’s certainly a lot of

March 4th Audio Conference: Interactive Blog

2009-03-03T10:20:00.001-05:00

Funders Together Audio Conference: Responding to Crisis

Foundation Leader: Philanthropy Must Turn More Attention to Housing Issues

2009-02-25T16:46:00.006-05:00

A couple of weeks ago the head of one of the nation's leading funders reiterated it's long-held belief that housing is at the heart of nearly every key social issue funders face - an opinion we very much share at Funders Together. Here in it's entirety is the commentary from Jonathan Fanton, president of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation (you can also read it on the MacArthur

Report from New Orleans: A national disgrace and local dreams

2009-02-19T13:22:00.008-05:00

By Bill Pitkin, Poverty and Inequality I spent a couple days in New Orleans recently learning about the recovery effort from Katrina. It was, in a word, stunning. I was stunned by the endurance of the devastation more than three years since the storms, as well as by the resilience and passion with which residents are rebuilding their great city. Katrina ended and destroyed thousands of lives and

How do you define your role in the economic crisis?

2009-02-12T14:52:00.010-05:00

Deciding whether funders need to shift from "grantmaking as usual" in the ongoing economic crisis is probably a foolish question - clearly, grantmaking as usual just won't cut it in the months and years ahead.But figuring out exactly how you plan to shift your focus in the light of so many new (and not so new) pressing needs is easier said than done. Just a few of the questions grantmakers are

Taking Apart the $819 billion Stimulus Package

2009-02-12T14:32:00.006-05:00

While the exact numbers have changed since it was initially created, this recent graphic from the Washington Post provides a fascinating look at the distribution and timing of the 2009 Economic Stimulus Package.Click on the image below to view a larger version of the graphic.

Funding Principles Slide Show

2009-02-04T22:15:00.004-05:00

Learn more about Funders Together's mission, goals and approaches, including a brief presentation of our Funding Principles for Ending Homelessness. (To view a full screen version of this slideshow, click on the button in the lower right-hand side of the image below).

Homelessness is a Solvable Problem

2009-02-03T10:37:00.008-05:00

"So, does anyone else wonder how many more years the Melville Charitable Trust will be looking for a solution to Homelessness? Every night I hear on NPR that it is funding "All Things Considered" and working on finding solutions to homelessness? So, how is it going for them on this quest for the Holy Grail? Have they found a solution yet? Homelessness has increased every year for the past 20 in

Slip slidin' away, or getting ready for a new day?

2009-01-19T12:26:00.003-05:00

By G. Robert Hohler, Melville Charitable Trust"Slip slidin' away, Slip slidin' away, The nearer your destination,the more you're slip slidin' away."-- Paul SimonFirst, the encouraging news: Homelessness Counts, from the National Alliance to End Homelessness, reports the latest compilation of homeless "point in time counts" from communities across the country. From 2005 to 2007, a time of

Massachusetts Department of Mental Health Cuts More Than 100 Case Managers: the Tip of the Iceberg?

2009-01-15T10:58:00.007-05:00

By Stephen L. Day, Technical Assistance CollaborativeI had just returned from a business trip and saw a copy of the recent Boston Globe article about the lay-off of 100 case managers. This is just the tip of the iceberg as states all across the country seek to balance budgets in the face of severely restricted revenues. It is likely there will be many more direct care staff layoffs and cuts in

National Alliance to End Homelessness Publishes Interactive Map with State by State Data on Homelessness

2009-01-15T10:44:00.007-05:00

The National Alliance to End Homelessness, an implementing partner for Funders Together, has published the new edition of Homelessness Counts, documenting changes in homelessness populations from 2005 to 2007, looking more closely at changes at the state level and among subpopulations.Features of this report include:Comprehensive reporting in maps and tables of changes in chronic, family,

Google Maps of Ten Year Plans and Permanent Supportive Housing Programs, Around the Country

2009-01-07T11:23:00.008-05:00

Interested in finding out which cities and regions around the country have completed Ten Year Plans to End Homelessness, or want to find your local plan? Drawing upon a previous collection put together by our colleagues at the National Alliance to End Homelessness, we have created the following interactive map of completed plans from around the country. To explore plans and programs in your

Neighborhood Stabilization Program-Funding Resource for Continuums of Care

2008-10-22T15:34:00.005-04:00

In early October HUD annouced $3.92 billion in community allocations for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). Foundations that are involved with their communities efforts to end homelessness are encouraged to pass the following information on to local developers and homeless service organizations.According to HUD, their community based allocations for the NSP are worth taking advantage

Housing is the Key

2008-03-11T14:05:00.007-04:00

Promote housing-based solutions, with access to appropriate services, that are integrated in to our communities as the primary investment for ending homelessness. Examples of Housing Solutions: Logan Place - Portland, Maine - serving chronically homeless individuals 1811 Eastlake - Seattle, Washington - serving chronically homeless alcoholicsSolid Ground Supportive Housing Program - Chicago,

Recruit partners and make deals

2008-03-11T14:04:00.004-04:00

Initiate and engage in collaboration and strategic partnerships among funders, local policy makers, business leaders, and government, as well as advocacy, housing, and service providers.Do you have an example of an effective collaboration that you've been part of that has resulted in a reduction of homelessness in your community?In what ways have you engaged in collaboration with the communities

Think Upstream

2008-03-11T14:03:00.005-04:00

Support effective prevention programs and strategies, such as effective discharge planning, employment training, substance abuse counseling, and family reunification efforts.Examples of programs with effective prevention strategiesVictory Programs - Boston, MassachusettsCentral City Concern - Portland, OregonDowntown Emergency Service Center - Seattle, WashingtonHousing Works - New York City, New

Share the Vision

2008-03-11T14:00:00.004-04:00

Raise awareness of homelessness and existing local ten year plans to end homelessness, while building public will for long-term strategies locally and nationally.Examples of Effective 10 Year Plans:Asheville and Buncomb County, NC Bridgeport, CTCambridge, MAClark County, WADenver, COHartford, CT Discussion Questions:Does your community have a 10 year plan that is working?What are some of the

Build a Bank of Knowledge

2008-03-11T13:55:00.003-04:00

Encourage and support research, demonstration projects, and data collection to identify and confirm effective approaches for serving key segments of the homeless population.Examples of demonstration projects:Logan Place - Portland, MEMoving to Opportunity - Expanding Housing Choices for HUD Assisted FamiliesMercer Housing First Initiative - Seattle, WAOrganizations that are researching ways to

Be an Agent for Change

2008-03-11T13:50:00.005-04:00

Promote needed systems change, including increased coordination across government departments and agencies and efforts to transition providers from shelter-based to housing first models.Examples of Systems ChangeSystem Change Efforts and Their Results: Los Angeles 2005 - 2006Systems Change Resources from the Corporation for Supportive HousingBlueprint for Change: Ending Chronic Homelessness for

Follow the Money

2008-03-11T13:48:00.004-04:00

Work actively to leverage national policy and financial support for these efforts.

Background Information: 10 Year Plans

2008-02-29T15:55:00.001-05:00

ROLE OF 10 YEAR PLANS TO END HOMELESSNESSThe National Alliance to End Homelessness’s Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness calls on America to change its thinking and pursue steps that seek not just to manage but to permanently end the problem within ten years. Communities across America have created 10 Year Plans and many are several years into the process with numerous successes.The 10 Year Plan

Background Information: Disabled Homeless

2008-02-19T12:19:00.003-05:00

Photo Credit: Colorado Coalition for the HomelessIndividuals with DisabilitiesHomeless people suffer from higher rates of mental and physical health problems which are then exacerbated by living on the streets and in shelters. The lack of residential stability makes healthcare delivery more complicated. Health conditions that require ongoing treatment—such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases,

Background Information: Homeless Veterans

2008-02-19T12:19:00.002-05:00

Photo Credit: The Connection FundVeterans account for up to 40 percent of the homeless population. The U.S. Department of Veterans estimates that as many as 200,000 homeless people are veterans and that over the course of the year, approximately 337,000 veterans experience homelessness. Recent media accounts highlight the frightening trend of veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan showing up in

Background Information: Rural Homelessness

2008-02-19T12:17:00.002-05:00

Photo Credit: Max BreiteneicherThe number of people who experience rural homelessness is unknown, but the last national count of homeless people found that 9 percent of homeless people live in rural areas. Moreover, 19 percent of rural children live in poverty (compared with a national rate of 17 percent). Rural areas are defined as a parish or county having 20,000 people or fewer. Core

Background Information: Homeless Youth

2008-02-19T12:15:00.001-05:00

Youth HomelessnessThe prevalence of youth homelessness is difficult to measure; researchers estimate that about 5 to 7.7 percent of youth experience homelessness. With at least one million youth on the streets and in shelter—and thousands more leaving juvenile justice and foster care —the problem of youth homelessness continues to grow.Core Assumptions for Ending Youth Homelessness1. For many

Background Information: Chronically Homeless

2008-02-19T12:11:00.001-05:00

Photo Credit: Liz Lance - Salt AchievesChronic homelessness is defined as either long-term or repeated homelessness among individuals accompanied by a disability. Many chronically homeless people have a serious mental illness like schizophrenia and/or a substance use history. Research reveals that between 10 to 20 percent of homeless single adults are chronically homeless. This translates into

Background Information: Homeless Families

2008-02-19T12:08:00.000-05:00

Photo Credit: Max BreiteneicherMost Americans underestimate how the problem of homelessness affects families. About 600,000 families and 1.35 million children experience homelessness in the United States, making up almost half of the annual homeless population. Additionally, families with children are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population. Homelessness has major impacts on