Partnering with Housing Authorities (HA) is a way to maximize Section 8 vouchers and public housing to prevent consumers from losing their rent subsidy. A case manager/advocate can mediate between Housing Authority agencies, but the HA needs to buy in to the process. Worry less about fraud investigations and more about investing in your community by keeping people out of the shelters and off the streets. In turn supportive services (SS) need to step up to the plate when an HA needs their help. Both HA and SS need to offer tenant education workshops and there are great models out there.

Homelessness and unstable housing are linked to greater HIV risk, inadequate care, poor health outcomes and early mortality for people living with HIV/AIDS. The conditions of homelessness and extreme poverty – the pressures of daily survival needs, the inability to maintain intimate relationships, and substance use as a response to stress and/or mental health problems – leave homeless and unstably housed persons extremely vulnerable to HIV infection. It is projected that at least one-half of homeless persons in any community fall into one or more of the highest-risk categories. Moreover, proven HIV risk reduction interventions are less effective among persons who are homeless or unstably housed. We must adopt an evidence-based, public health approach that identifies and limits policy and other barriers to housing assistance for persons living with and at heightened risk of HIV

Use of ever diminishing public funds should be focused where it is most needed, for those persons living in poverty at 0-40%AMI. On average, 10% of the populations in communities across the country make poverty level wages or lower. Research shows that individuals and families making 50% or more of AMI (Area Median Income) can find and afford private sector housing. The percentage of HUD and Local Government public monies for vouchers and bricks and mortar should be increased for the lowest of incomes, with a priority for housing rental vouchers. We can't end homelessness without access to the existing and new affordable housing needed to move them into.

Homeless people of all ages and circumstances have to be included as partners in design and implementation of strategies to end homelessness. Evaluation tools for determining success begin and end with surveys, focus groups, leadership and training of homeless people in defining their aspirations. A COUNCIL for all boards, commissions and policies from the federal to the local levels must have a decision making process for problem solving. This includes out reach, counseling, reverse panels for education and awareness, fund raising, strategies for leadership must include child care, transportation, stipends, welcoming homeless people from the youngest members of the community to elders.

90% of all incarcerated persons will be reentering the community. Without a job, many will become homeless. Having a criminal background is one of the leading causes of poverty and homelessness and the justice system is full of youth, veterans, single adults, and adults with children who do not have the certifications, work skills or experience needed to successfully reenter society. Offender Workforce Development and Vocational Training for Ex-Offenders are both key to the prevention of poverty and homelessness. Offender Workforce Development Specialists work to reduce barriers to reentry, address housing issues, help develop effective vocational training and mentoring programs, and educate employers and the community about the benefits of working the ex-offender population.

What happens when we are left out in the cold/heat is we suffer. There is no time and place to be without a safe place. Safety must be paramount no matter we are talking about a child or an elder. No more will we bear the indifference of allowing a person to be left out in the elements to DIE forty years before the life expectancy of others. Homelessness is lethal. These safe havens can be located in all communities wealthy and impoverished. Communities must embrace others instead of isolating them. By use of the public and private sectors, much as the Red Cross Disaster services does, faith communities hand in hand all can be temporarily susained and nourished.