	Best Practices A practical newsletter for people ending homelessness.

New Resource: Action Steps for Addressing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Homelessness System

The Alliance's Racial Equity Network, a network of providers committed to furthering racial equity in homelessness systems, has created a set of action steps to take if racial disparities are found in your system. The action steps account for multiple types of homeless response systems (emergency shelter, rapid re-housing, permanent supportive housing, etc.) and include both short term and long term steps.

Explore the Action Steps >>>

Are You Prepared for Infectious Diseases?

HUD's Office of Special Needs Assistance Programs (SNAPS) recently published guidance on infectious disease preparedness among homeless assistance providers, in light of confirmed coronavirus cases in the US:

"People experiencing unstable housing or homelessness have not been identified as being at higher risk for acquiring the coronavirus at this time. Risk factors include respiratory illness and recent travel to Wuhan City, China. Influenza (flu), however, continues to be a serious threat for those living in sheltered and unsheltered situations."

Per HUD guidance, Continuums of Care should partner with their local health department to implement preventative measures; HUD is also available to provide technical assistance to homeless assistance providers who need support in preventing or responding to the spread of infectious disease.

Questions? Contact HOPWA@hud.gov.

State-Level Changes to Medicaid

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced new guidance to states that could fundamentally change the nature of states' Medicaid programs and block grants.

The National Health Care for the Homeless Council is advising states against any changes to Medicaid based on this guidance -- since roughly half of clients in homelessness systems are covered by Medicaid. They encourage providers in states that are considering block grant applications to advocate against adopting the recent guidance.

To learn more about state-level advocacy efforts and how you can get involved, email Barbara DiPietro, PhD, Senior Director of Policy at the National Health Care for the Homeless Council: bdpietro@hchmd.org.

The Alliance is Hiring

Are you or someone you know seeking to be a part of the Alliance's mission to end homelessness? The Alliance is hiring for several positions in Washington, D.C. and California:

Visit the Alliance's Careers page for more information on each position >>>