This Week in Homelessness: Research, NOFAs, and More

Best Practices A practical newsletter for people ending homelessness. The Latest in Homelessness Research The Alliance's Homelessness Research Institute has compiled a set of recent studies that examine the changing dynamics of the homeless population and its demographics nationwide. Read the latest research >>> The Foster Youth to Independence Initiative  The new Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) initiative from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) came as a result of hearing directly from youth with lived experience of the child welfare system. It offers housing and support services to young people who have experienced the child welfare system to help them successfully transition to adulthood. To qualify for FYI Tenant Protection Vouchers (TPV), Public Housing Authorities that do NOT administer the Family Unification Program must first form a partnership with their local public child welfare agency. Learn more about FYI initiative details on our blog, or visit the HUD FYI page for more information.  Keep Your Programs Going: Funding from HUD is Now Available! The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has issued four important Notices of Funding Availability (NOFAs) that can help your community with the resources needed to end homelessness. Learn more about each of them, and how to apply. HUD-VASH NOFA Due Date: August 19, 2019  HUD has released its NOFA for the the HUD-VASH (HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing) program, which provides housing subsidies to veterans. The HUD-VASH program combines rental assistance from HUD with case management and other services from the VA. HUD-VASH vouchers are administered by the VA to participating Public Housing Authorities (PHAs). Learn more about how to apply here.  Specialized Housing and Services for Victims of Human Trafficking NOFA Due Date (Technical Assistance): August 30, 2019 Due Date (Program Application): October 30, 2019 The Specialized Housing and Services for Victims of Human Trafficking NOFA is a collaboration between HUD's Office of Special Needs Assistance Programs (SNAPS) office and the Department of Justice's Office for Victims of Crimes. This NOFA makes $13.5 million available to fund CoC-wide programs that would provide provide housing and trauma-informed, victim-centered services to victims of human trafficking. Learn how your CoC can apply here.  Mainstream Voucher Program Due Date: September 5, 2019 HUD recently issued a NOFA for $150 million in new "Mainstream," or "811," housing vouchers for non-elderly people with disabilities. The Mainstream NOFA incentivizes PHAs to form partnerships with Continuums of Care (CoCs) and to target housing assistance to assist people with disabilities who are experiencing homelessness, at risk of becoming homeless, or have previously experienced homelessness and are currently clients in a permanent supportive housing or rapid rehousing project. Watch the webinar on applying for this year's Mainstream NOFA here, and click here for more information about the Mainstream NOFA process.  CoC Program NOFA Due Date: September 30, 2019 HUD has also posted the 2019 CoC Program NOFA. The programs funded by this NOFA continue to be the most important tools for building local systems that identify everyone who becomes homeless, keeps them safe, and helps them get back into housing quickly. Read more about Alliance analysis of what to look out for in the 2019 competition, and get the details from HUD.  Alliance Resources Take advantage of recent Alliance resources to help you maintain more efficient housing and homelessness response systems: State of Homelessness Report Rapid Re-Housing Toolkit Emergency Shelter Learning Series  Racial Equity Network Toolkit Demographic Data Project From the Alliance Blog New HUD Initiative to Foster Youth to Independence By NAEH Why You Should Advocate During a Congressional Recess By Steve Berg What's New in Homelessness Research By NAEH Racial Disparities in the Homelessness System: Even the NOFA is Telling Us to Act! By Chandra Crawford Featured Alliance Resource HUD's Equal Access Rule