HUD Report: Larger PHAs More Likely to Serve Homeless People








April 1, 2014    

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


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HUD Report: Larger PHAs More Likely to Serve Homeless People


An analysis of 4,000 Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) around the country by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has found that, while 24 percent of all PHAs were attempting to serve people experiencing homelessness, the larger PHAs were more likely to make such efforts. According to the report, "Study of PHAs' Efforts to Serve People Experiencing Homelessness," just 119 of these larger PHAs administer almost half (49 percent) of the national inventory of vouchers and public housing. PHAs in metropolitan areas are more likely to make efforts to serve people experiencing homelessness, and the PHAs in areas with large homeless populations are more likely to engage in targeted efforts to serve homeless households.
This study is meant to provide a status report on efforts by PHAs to serve homeless households with mainstream housing assistance resources.

For additional findings, see the report





Senate Advances Unemployment Insurance Extension
Last Thursday, March 27, the Senate voted to allow legislation that would extend expired unemployment insurance benefits for five months and allow retroactive payments going back to December 28 to move forward. The final vote is expected to take place next week. House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) continues to voice his opposition to the extension, casting doubt on the prospect of the bill gaining enough votes to pass in the House.
Appropriations Subcommittees Hold Hearings on Budget Proposal
Last Tuesday, March 25, the Senate Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Subcommittee held a hearing on proposed fiscal year (FY) 2015 funding for programs under its jurisdiction. During the hearing, Eric Shinseki, secretary for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), emphasized that ending veteran homelessness by the end of 2015 remains one of VA's top three goals. Sec. Shinseki cited the progress his agency has made thus far and explained that the requested funding level for VA Supportive Housing, Supportive Services for Veteran Families, and Grant and Per Diem programs would help VA reach its goal.
Last Tuesday, March 25, the House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies subcommittee held a similar hearing for programs under its jurisdiction.

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