Homeless Coalition Of Hillsborough County

Last week, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released a new report, "Worst Case Housing Needs 2009." The report revealed that over 7 million very low-income renter households who do not receive government housing assistance had worst case needs in 2009 - an increase of 20 percent since the last count in 2007. Households with worst case needs are those who paid more than half their income for rent, lived in severely inadequate conditions, or both.

The report cites three major causes for the increase, including:

1. shrinking incomes and unemployment among low-income households,
2. growth in the rental assistance gap, and
3. a surge in competition for affordable rental units.

The report also notes that the "need for prioritizing assisted housing in national policy deliberations has never been greater."

Last week, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) released Veteran Homelessness: A Supplemental Report to the 2009 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress. According to the report nearly 76,000 veterans were homeless on a given night in 2009 while roughly 136,000 veterans spent at least one night in a shelter during that year. Key findings in the report include:

• During a 12-month period in 2009, an estimated 136,000 veterans-or about 1 in every 168 veterans-spent at least one night in an emergency shelter or transitional housing program;
• Veterans are 50 percent more likely to become homeless compared to all Americans and the risk is even greater among minority veterans living in poverty;
• One-half of homeless veterans are located in just four states: California (26 percent), Florida (9 percent), New York (8 percent), and Texas (7 percent); and
• Sheltered homeless veterans are far more likely than non-veterans to be homeless alone rather than part of a family household; 96 percent of veterans are individuals compared to 66 percent in the overall homeless population.

On Wednesday, February 23 at 3 p.m., SAMHSA's Resouces Center to Promote Acceptance, Dignity, and Social Inclusion Associated with Mental Health will host a training on elements of healthy communities. The teleconference will inform participants about current trends and practices in the field, homelessness prevention strategies, and program development. For more information about the training, please visit the SAMHSA ADS Center website.  Click here to register.

Join other service providers, advocates and concerned citizens from around the state on Wednesday, April 13 in Tallahassee for the annual Homeless Advocacy Day.  This is an opportunity to educate our state Senators and Representatives regarding the needs of our homeless neighbors and how they can help them.  This year, more than ever, we have to make sure our elected officials understand the impact state programs and funding has on our neighbors in need.

The Florida Coalition for the Homeless has reserved a block of rooms at the Country Inn and Suites, 3080 Walden Road Tallahassee, FL 32317  for $79.00 a night (plus tax) for April 12 and April 13, 2011.  The hotel is not far from the Capitol Building and the rate includes a full breakfast.   The group name is "Homeless Advocacy Day" and reservations must be made by February 10th to ensure this special rate.  The hotel's telephone number is: 850.942.9955.

For more information and to sign up for Homeless Advocacy Day 2011, please contact Rita Clark at the Miami Coalition for the Homeless, rita@miamihomeless.org.

The March General Coalition meeting will be held on Thursday, March 3 at the Agency for Community Treatment Services (ACTS),4612 N 56th Street, Tampa, 33610.  Networking is from 8:30 to 9 a.m.; meeting begins at 9 a.m.

Find out what's happening at the Family Justice Center (FJC) in their latest newsletter.