News from the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness

Five clarifications on the Criteria and Benchmarks to ending Veteran homelessness

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December 17, 2015

Five Clarifications on the Criteria and Benchmarks for Ending Veteran Homelessness    Since we released the revised criteria for achieving the goal of ending Veteran homelessness, we've had the opportunity to help communities and stakeholders from around the country apply the criteria and benchmarks locally. USICH's Richard Cho, HUD's Marcy Thompson, and VA's Keith Harris prepared these five clarifications to help communities working toward an end to Veteran homelessness. Police Foot Patrol in Portland Engages Youth on the Street, Reduces Crime, Builds Partnerships Officers in Portland's Police Bureau hit the streets every day to connect with young people experiencing homelessness. Neighborhood leaders report overwhelmingly positive feedback, and the officers' attitudes toward policing are forever changed, according to Sergeant Jim Quackenbush. The Portland Foot Patrol was recently recognized as a White House Champion of Change, along with Celia Luce, a peer mentor at the youth service organization Outside In. Read Celia's perspective on the unique partnership.   First Lady and Dr. Biden Congratulate Philadelphia for Ending Veteran Homelessness    "Philadelphia joins cities across the country - including Houston, Mobile, Syracuse, Las Vegas, and New Orleans - as well as the entire state of Virginia. Together, they have shown us that ending veterans' homelessness isn't just our moral obligation, it is a realistic, achievable goal, if we summon the will and devote resources equal to the task."   Read the entire op-ed from the First Lady and Dr. Biden.  For tools and tips to learn more about how New Orleans became the first city to end Veteran homelessness, read this new report from HUD!   Council Convenes Last Meeting of 2015, Discusses Family Homelessness      The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness met today with our 19 member agencies for our last Council meeting of the year. We heard from Pamela Kestner from the Commonwealth of Virginia and Laura Zeilinger, a former USICH executive director who is now with the Washington, DC, government, about the challenges and opportunities for ending homelessness among families.  We'll provide a full report on that meeting in the new year. In the meantime, from our families to you and yours, we wish you a safe and joyful holiday season. December 21 is National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day. We remember lives lost and reflect on why we strive each day to achieve an end to homelessness in every community across the country.