United States Interagency Council on Homelessness:
Congress established the Interagency Council on Homelessness (ICH) in 1987 as part of the Domestic Policy Council of the White House, to coordinate the activities of the federal government in responding to homelessness, by providing Federal leadership through coordinated policies, technical assistance, grant programs, and special initiatives to assist families and individuals out of chronic homelessness. The council fell dormant for several years until the Bush administration revived it in 2002 and hired Philip Mangano, former executive director of the Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance. The administration was zeroing in on the most chronic homeless population--the 10 percent who are often disabled, homeless for a year, or frequently cycle on and off the streets. That 10 percent consumes 50 percent of public resources said Mangano, Executive Director of United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. The Interagency Council is comprised of 20 Cabinet Secretaries and Federal agency directors who convene regularly at the White House to ensure that Federal resources are more available and accessible to homeless people to offer funding, assistance and other resources. Since 2002, the Federal budget has included consecutive record years of resources targeted to homelessness.
National Project Homelessness Connect:
Project Homeless Connect (PHC), originated in San Francisco under Mayor Gavin Newsom in October 2004 and was central to the community response to Hurricane Katrina. PHC continues to grow as an effective means of providing services and engaging the entire community and is a national best practice model now implemented in cities across the United States as well as Canada, Puerto Rico and Australia. The mission of National Project Homeless Connect is to bring communities together to create and promote tangible solutions that remedy the homelessness of their neighbors.
For the first time, 10-Year Plan communities joined in a national event convened by the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. National Project Homeless Connect Day took place in 26 cities around the country on December 8, 2005.
Birmingham Alabama’s response:
Birmingham’s ten-year plan was adapted May 4, 2007 and it includes five primary goals: to develop /expand affordable housing provide better supports to reform policies that contribute to homelessness to prevent homelessness from occurring to build community awareness Within each goal, the plan outlines action steps, time frames and responsible parties.
Birmingham’s initial Project Homeless Connect, held April 5, 2008, was the first PHC event in the state. Metropolitan Services for the Homeless began initial planning, along with the Mayor’s Office of Community Development. United Way of Central Alabama served as coordinator, and Hands on Birmingham organized volunteers. Boutwell Auditorium served as the venue, offering a supportive, and community setting. Not only did it provide a one-stop service center, the day also served to further the goals and objectives of the city’s 10-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness.
For photos from and statistics on the first Project Homeless Connect, held April 5, 2008, click here.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: Project Homeless Connect is seeking volunteers for the next Saturday event TBA, possibly Fall of 2008. Public servants, non-profit agencies, faith-based organizations and citizens will assemble to help our homeless and impoverished population. The one-day event’s objective is to increase access to services and ending chronic homelessness in Central Alabama. Volunteer opportunities are available for guides, greeters, serving food, and more. Offer a hand up for this cause. You CAN make a difference. Contact http://www.handsonbirmingham.org or call (205) 251-5849.
SERVICES OR SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: If your company would like to contribute to the community by offering services or to participate by offering useful items or financial support, contact: United Way of Central Alabama - http://www.uwca.org/ - (205) 251-5131 Or Metropolitan Services for the Homeless – Email - (205) 254-8833
Informational Links:
Alabama has eight continuums of care organizations that coordinate services for the homeless regionally. If you are homeless and need help, or if you would like to help others, these organizations may put you in touch with those who provide direct services. http://www.hud.gov/local/al/homeless/serviceorgs.cfm
Governor Bob Riley created the Governor’s Statewide Interagency Council on Homelessness with the signing of Executive Order #31 on August 11, 2005. The Governor’s Statewide Interagency Council on Homelessness was formed to develop and implement a plan to prevent and end homelessness in Alabama. http://servealabama.gov/homelessness/
There is a surge of legislation across America to make public spaces and parks secure for all citizens in an effort to preserve the community, improve economic conditions and maintain public order. These laws arrive in the form of city ordinances, intended neither to criminalize a disenfranchised class of people nor to eliminate the underprivileged people from the city. They are in place to resolve homelessness by encouraging those in need to seek and utilize the services available. Birmingham has not endorsed any explicit directives to manage what some citizens believe to be an increase of people who frequently utilize intimidation and offensive remarks to declare their needs. Review DBA’s 2006 Birmingham Homeless Awareness Movement survey results here. We continue to ask for an evaluation of ordinances to restrain panhandling, loitering, public feeding and urban camping, based on best practices, to deter street living. The circumstances are complex and far-reaching, so let us examine some of the issues.
Doorways Ordinance Considerations:
There is a need to establish regulations to prohibit sitting or lying in doorways during late night and early morning hours. Offenders could be transported to a local shelter. Agencies are available for people who are willing to comply with the facility requirements. Without enforcement, this action is detrimental to residents and businesses compromising the wellbeing of citizens, employees and patrons.
Public Feeding Ordinance Considerations:
There are many concerns regarding this activity. Organizations that participate in this procedure believe they are performing good deeds and fulfilling a commitment. Their generosity is valued, however, since we have services in place, why not donate their food to organizations that allow the destitute to sit at a table and eat a hot meal in a civilized manner? Other numerous questions are:
Should there be a limit on free food in public places? Is it possible that outdoor meal programs contribute to service resistance from the homeless? Would restricting the number of people served be a benefit? Should city or privately funded programs provide all meals indoors? Does the frequency of the feedings affect the city? It is possible to restrict the area of cleanup? Do outdoor meal distributions serve to entice the homeless? Are the homeless in jeopardy by eating food from programs not monitored by a Health Department? Should the presence of public human waste be unlawful as a purposeful effort by the homeless to cause chaos for residents and businesses in the community? Are there enough accessible public restrooms downtown?
Urban Camping Ordinance Considerations:
Laws to prohibit camping or loitering in private spaces immediately adjacent to public space are needed to safeguard the rights of taxpaying citizens, shoppers, clients and visitors to the city. Camping on public land presents fire danger, trash and public health issues, such as untreated human waste. Restrictions on the storing of personal belongings, making fire and using or creating a tent or shelter on public property are also another concern.
These are not anti-homeless initiatives, but intended as a resource of ongoing needs that should be addressed in Birmingham. We are aware that we have a population in poverty and homelessness that we are obligated to undertake. We advocate the City of Birmingham deploy community service officers in the Birmingham District and increase its support of the existing services to assist the homeless, while assessing the vital implementation of city ordinances.