Future HUD Secretary Julián Castro to Speak at Alliance Conference








July 15, 2014    

ISSUES  |  POLICY  |  SOLUTIONS  |  NEWS & EVENTS Forward Editor: Emanuel Cavallaro


Spotlight On...
Future HUD Secretary Julián Castro to Speak at Alliance Conference


The Alliance is proud to announce that former San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro, whose nomination for the position of secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) was recently confirmed by the Senate, will speak at the Alliance's 2014 National Conference on Ending Homelessness. The conference will take place at the Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel from July 29 to 31. Taking the place of current HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan, who is no longer scheduled to speak at the Conference, Castro will deliver a keynote address on the second day of the conference, Wednesday, July 30, during the luncheon plenary.





Senate Confirms Donovan and Castro Nominations
On Wednesday, July 9, the Senate, by a vote of 71-26 with the support of all Democrats and 18 Republicans, confirmed the nomination of former San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro for the position of secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Castro will replace Secretary Shaun Donovan, whose nomination for the position of director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) the Senate confirmed the following day. Secretary Donovan will replace Sylvia Matthews Burwell, who now serves as the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Secretary Donovan was confirmed by a vote of 75-22, with all Democrats and 23 Republicans in favor of the nomination. Both Secretary Donovan and Castro are expected to be sworn in to their new positions soon.
House Budget Committee Holds Hearing on Poverty and Needy Families
Last Wednesday, July 9, the House Budget Committee held a hearing titled, "A Progress Report on the War on Poverty: Working with Families in Need." At this hearing, committee chairman Rep. Paul Ryan, (R-Wis.) and professionals engaged in anti-poverty work testified about the War on Poverty's unfinished business and the most effective ways to ensure that hard working people earn enough to keep their families out of poverty.
House to Depart for Recess
The House will depart for recess when session adjourns this Thursday, July 17. They are scheduled to return next Tuesday, July 22. The Senate will be in session for the remainder of the month.




On Tuesday, July 22, at 2 p.m. ET, the Alliance will host a webinar on the policy priorities driving the agenda for the Capitol Hill Day event that will take place in conjunction with the Alliance's National Conference. During the webinar, "Federal Policy and Advocacy Update," the Alliance policy team will review policy priorities and provide the latest legislative and political updates. While meant to ensure that Hill Day State Captains and other participants are equipped with the most relevant information for their Hill visits, the webinar should be helpful for anyone interested in learning where the federal budget process for key homelessness and affordable housing programs currently stands.



On Thursday, July 17, at 2 p.m. ET, the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty will host a webinar based on its forthcoming report, "No Safe Place: The Criminalization of Homelessness in U.S. Cities." Speakers will provide an overview of criminalization measures across the nation and discuss trends in criminalization based on an analysis of the laws in 187 cities. The webinar will also cover key statistical data, alternatives to criminalization adopted by some cities, and the role the federal government should play in combating criminalization.
In this post, we take a look at the findings of a recent study, "The Relationship between Community Investment in Permanent Supportive Housing and Homelessness," which found that increased investment in permanent supportive housing reduced chronic homelessness.
Here's What You Can Expect from the Veterans Track of Our DC Conference
By Kate Seif
There numerous initiatives taking place around veteran homelessness, including the 25 Cities initiative, the Mayors Challenge, and others. In this post, we provide a quick overview of the content around veteran homelessness that attendees of our upcoming National Conference can expect.
We're Screening a Documentary about Skid Row
By naehblog
If you're attending our upcoming National Conference, you will have a chance to catch a free screening of the documentary film "Lost Angels: Skid Row Is My Home." In this post, we provide details about the film, the screening, and the trailer.