Using Data, Setting Goals, and Defining what it means to End Homelessness

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Because of Opening Doors, the focus on goal-setting and data-driven strategies to end homelessness has increased across the country. For example, we’ve seen an increased emphasis on performance measurement, documentation of outcomes, and a focus on the most effective and cost-efficient use of resources, and believe that implementation of such strategies should be even more strongly emphasized within an amended Opening Doors.

Since the launch of Opening Doors, our understanding of what works has further solidified, and we’ve seen tremendous progress. Your input is essential to the ongoing success of Opening Doors. Please share and vote for the ideas you think would have the greatest impact in an amendment to Opening Doors.

Please consider these questions when crafting your feedback and voting for the feedback you think is most valuable. And please use the Opening Doors Amendment 2014 Participation Guide for more information on what strategies are currently included in Opening Doors. Find it here: http://bit.ly/USICH2014

1. Are there additional strategies for increasing the focus on data-driven decision making and setting measurable goals that you think should be reflected in an amendment to Opening Doors?

2. How would your community/organization benefit from a greater emphasis on these issues within Opening Doors? Please explain what information would be most helpful.

3. Would including a definition on what ending homelessness means and how it should be defined benefit your community’s/organizations’ efforts, and if so, how?

4. Are there other areas of the Plan you feel would benefit from updated information or the incorporation of additional strategies?

Thank you!

Are there additional strategies for increasing the focus on data-driven decision making and setting measurable goals that you think should be reflected in an amendment to Opening Doors?

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Equal Access

To explicitly include training and information on applicable Fair Housing Regulations to all involved stakeholders. HUD funded agencies should all promote and abide all Fair Housing Regulations, this plan should promote programs that are open to all eligible homeless or at risk of being homeless individuals and families regardless, of ****** orientation, gender identity, or marital status.

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Allow Housing Authorities to give priority to the homeless in giving section 8 vouchers and accepting tenants.

The homeless are all extremely low income, but much of sec. 8 housing goes to people jusst within the upper income limits for sec. 8. Persons with higher income are crowding out the homeless when it comes to getting sed. 8 voucher and apts. Allow local housing authorities to give priority to the homeless. They are now forbidden to do so by HUD rules.

3 votes

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To end homelessness, increase local community involvement and pr

To end homelessness, increase local community involvement, provide for natural supports and increase options to close segregated institutions for people with disabilities, the solution is zoning changes.

What once was permitted and common, a two or three family home for related family or families and individuals facing economic challenges is not permitted in most communities today. This is certainly true in NJ where I reside. I am allowed to build a McMansion on 5 plus acres. The single family home may have 6 plus bedrooms, 5 plus baths, wet bar and consist of 5,000 plus square feet. On the same property, a two family universally designed ranch home with two bedrooms, two accessible baths with a total living space of 3000 square feet is not permitted due to exclusionary zoning. Until the zoning issue is addressed homelessness will not be reduced but increase.

My suggestion to end homelessness is not only to change restrictive, discriminatory, and exclusionary zoning but for the government to actually offer incentives to both create two to four multifamily units and to rent such units at below market rates to individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

Allowing a modular unit for related family or a homeless family,on an existing property, should be encouraged not discouraged or be in violation of zoning.

The trend in the US because of economic challenges as well as cultural diversity is to create multi-generational housing units. unfortunately our public policy and zoning laws make it difficult if not impossible for such homes to be built. The result increased homelessness, increased costs, loss of natural and community supports and relocation and isolation of vulnerable persons.

Another issue is the current use by HUD and subsequently states of HUD Fair Market Rents. The first problem is that all real estate is local. When HUD uses a multi-county area to determine fair market rents, the average or so called fair market rent is more than going rental rates in many communities and less than the going rates in many other communities. The result is individuals in higher rent areas are forced to move to lower rent areas. The individuals and families, in short are dislocated and loose the natural supports of family, friends, neighbors, and local religious affiliations.

This problem is compounded for people with disabilities who rely heavily on natural supports and have great difficulty transitioning to a new location.

The second issue is to have HUD have a different rent schedule for units which are handicapped accessible. Without a differentiated, "higher rent guidelines" what owner is going to spend dollars to add ramps, widen doors, modify a bathroom for accessibility, and enlarge hallways? The owner would never obtain a fair return on his / her investment. The results many individuals with disabilities, including veterans, and the frail elderly languish in institutions and nursing homes or are homeless due to lack of accessible homes / rental units.

Thank You for the opportunity to express my ideas.

To end homelessness, increase local community involvement, provide for natural supports and increase options to close segregated institutions for people with disabilities, the solution is zoning changes.

What once was permitted and common, a two or three family home for related family or families and individuals facing economic challenges is not permitted in most communities today. This is certainly true in NJ where I reside. I am allowed to build a McMansion on 5 plus acres. The single family home may have 6 plus bedrooms, 5 plus baths, wet bar and consist of 5,000 plus square feet. On the same…

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Using Data, Setting Goals, and Defining what it means to End Homelessness

Are there additional strategies for increasing the focus on data-driven decision making and setting measurable goals that you think should be reflected in an amendment to Opening Doors?

There are two ways to get more votes:

Equal Access

Allow Housing Authorities to give priority to the homeless in giving section 8 vouchers and accepting tenants.

To end homelessness, increase local community involvement and pr

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