Over One Thousand Gather to End Homelessness Nationwide

Date: 9 Jul 2007

Author: The National Alliance to End Homelessness

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Contact: Lauren Wright
202-942-8246, lwright@naeh.org

Members of Congress and Cabinet Secretary Join Nan Roman, President of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, to Address Over One Thousand Attendees at Annual Conference.

Washington, DC – On July 9-11 homeless advocates, government officials, agency leaders and homeless individuals from around the country will gather at the Hyatt Regency in Washington, DC for the National Alliance to End Homelessness’ annual conference “Ending Homelessness: The Time Is Now!”

Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA), Chair of the House Financial Services Committee and longtime advocate on behalf of homeless people, will speak during Tuesday’s plenary. Other conference speakers include Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs R. James Nicholson, Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), Fannie Mae CEO Dan Mudd, and National Alliance to End Homelessness President Nan Roman.

Through a series of workshops, open discussions and seminars, homelessness experts and advocates from across the country will present emerging research and model programs in ending homelessness as well as detail how communities across the country can develop and implement plans to end homelessness.

“The many workshops will focus on the strategies that have been successful in ending homelessness as well as on developing permanent, affordable housing,” said Nan Roman, president of the National Alliance to End Homelessness.

Conference participants will also be invited to visit three programs that are successful in preventing and ending homelessness in Washington, DC: Sasha Bruce Transitional Living Program for youth, Edgewood/Brookland Family Support Collaborative and Pathways to Housing DC.

At the federal level and in many communities across the United States, the homeless assistance system is undergoing a dramatic transformation. Over 300 communities across the country have adopted ten year plans to end homelessness, many with an emphasis on permanent, affordable housing. Several communities, like Portland Ore., have shown astonishing results.

Portland and the surrounding area of Multnomah County have experienced a record 70 percent in the in the number of chronically homeless people sleeping outside in the last two years. Portland focused its efforts on adopting a Housing First initiative while improving discharge planning, outreach, prevention, and employment.

Approaches like “Housing First” focus on getting people off the streets and into permanent housing and then, if necessary, providing supportive services.

The National Alliance to End Homelessness proposed that communities adopt ten year plans to end homelessness in 2000. Portland adopted its plan in 2004, and the declining number of people who are homeless is an indication of what can be achieved when communities focus on getting homeless people back into housing quickly.

"We knew we were doing the right thing by adopting a plan to end homelessness in Portland, and we are thrilled to see such great results in the first two years," said Portland Mayor Tom Potter. "This is a true testament to our community's effort to helping people end their homelessness every day."

This shift represents a growing national movement away from managing the problem of homelessness towards ending it. As a result of these efforts, homelessness is being prevented and homeless people are making their way back into stable housing faster.

The National Alliance to End Homelessness is a nonpartisan, mission-driven organization committed to preventing and ending homelessness in the United States. The Alliance analyzes policy and develops pragmatic, cost-effective policy solutions. Working collaboratively with the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to build state and local capacity, the Alliance provides data and research that lead to stronger programs and policies that help communities achieve their goal of ending homelessness.