Recent VA News Releases


        To view and download VA news releases, please visit the following
Internet address:
                        http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel>


        VA, HUD, HHS Join in Homeless Initiative

        WASHINGTON (Jan. 27, 2003) - In an unprecedented collaboration, the
Departments of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Health and Human
Services (HHS) and Veterans Affairs (VA) are launching a $35 million program
to provide permanent housing, health care and other supportive services to
those experiencing chronic or long-term homelessness.  Coordinated by the
federal Interagency Council on Homelessness, today's funding notice builds
upon the Bush Administration's goal to end chronic homelessness within a
decade.

        This unique funding will include $20 million from HUD, $10 million
from HHS and $5 million from VA and is designed to improve the delivery of
federal resources that address the special housing and service needs of this
population of homeless persons - many of whom have mental illness,
drug/alcohol addiction and/or physical disabilities.
        "The Department of Veterans Affairs has long recognized that the
effort to end chronic homelessness must be a collaborative effort at the
Federal level that will create strong effective local partnerships with
faith- and community-based organizations," said VA Secretary Anthony J.
Principi.  "We are pleased to be a partner of this effort at the national,
state and local levels."

        "This funding is the first real investment toward meeting the
specific needs of our most vulnerable neighbors," said HUD Secretary Mel
Martinez.  "We are combining the resources and energies of three government
agencies in an effort to not only help end chronic homelessness on the
streets of America, but to prevent homelessness from occurring in the first
place."

        HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson said, "HHS is pleased to be a
partner in the Administration's commitment to ending chronic homelessness.
We are keenly aware that serious health, psychiatric, and substance use
disorders contribute to the complexities of long-term and repeated
homelessness.  The expert contributions of health care professionals,
combined with the provision of permanent housing, will help break the cycle
of chronic homelessness and put people on the road to recovery and
self-sufficiency."

        The notification of funding availability (NOFA) announced today is a
critical component in addressing the needs of chronically homeless persons
and will draw upon innovative local programs that promote a "housing first"
approach to responding to homelessness.  Research confirms that
approximately 10 percent of the nation's homeless are so-called chronically
homeless - often suffering from mental illness or addiction.  Though a
fraction of the overall homeless population, these long-term homeless
persons account for approximately half of all the resources dedicated to
meet the needs of the entire homeless population.

        "What we do today will make difference on the streets of our nation
and create a new standard of expectation for homelessness," said Philip
Mangano, executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness,
the federal agency responsible for coordinating and creating homelessness
policy for the Administration. "We seek visible, measurable and quantifiable
change on our streets, in homeless programs and, most importantly, in the
lives of homeless people.  Our goal is to focus on those who are most at
risk and to offer a permanent solution."

        Background on the Interagency Council

        Congress established the Interagency Council in 1987 with the
passage of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act.  Over the past
six years, however, the Council was relatively dormant.  Last year,
President Bush reactivated the Interagency Council to better coordinate the
activities of 18 federal agencies that are involved in assisting the
homeless and to create the strategies to reduce and end homelessness.  In
addition, HUD, HHS and VA formed a joint task force to study and improve the
way these agencies respond to the various needs of homeless individuals and
families.  Learn more about the work of the Interagency Council on
Homelessness by visiting www.ich.gov.

        HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing
homeownership, particularly among minorities, creating affordable housing
opportunities for low-income Americans, supporting the homeless, elderly,
people with disabilities and people living with AIDS.  More information
about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov.

        HHS is the government's principal agency for protecting the health
of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for
those who are least able to help themselves.  The department includes more
than 300 programs, covering a wide spectrum of activities.  More information
about HHS and its programs is available at www.hhs.gov.

        VA serves our nation's veterans and their families with dignity and
compassion as their principal advocate, ensuring that they receive medical
care, benefits, social support and lasting memorials befitting the veterans'
service to America.   VA's nationwide, integrated network of homeless
assistance programs offers a wide array of health care and benefits that
help veterans who are homeless live as self-sufficiently and independently
as possible.  More information about VA and its programs is available at
www.va.gov.


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