Building off of the momentum generated across the country by the release of Opening Doors, USICH and its 19 member agencies have immediately turned from the development of Opening Doors to action.

This overview of the implementation of Opening Doors continues USICH's effort to promote accountability and transparency, which are two of the Administration's priorities in developing good government practices.  USICH is working through all 52 strategies and four signature initiatives laid out in the Plan and is in the process of identifying with our partners what is needed for full implementation, including key milestones and deliverables. The development of the FY2012 President's Budget is under way and the implementation of Opening Doors is tied to this process. Member agencies are looking at the Plan's priorities as they make important budget decisions.

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Department of Housing and Urban Development

Upcoming HUD "APR 101" Trainings

HUD will be hosting two live webinars on the Annual Performance Report (APR). The training will explain how annual reporting requirements for HUD's homeless assistance grants vary according to grant types and operating year end dates. There are two dates to participate: Friday, August 13 and Monday, August 16.

September HEARTH Conferences

HUD is sponsoring two national training conferences in September for Continuum of Care (CoC) representatives, Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) administrators, and Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG) and Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) grantees. The conference program will be offered in two different cities, Denver, Colorado and Atlanta, Georgia. The registration deadlines are coming up soon. USICH is also presenting at both conferences.

HPRP Case Studies Available

Seven case studies profiling communities implementing HPRP have been posted on the Resource Exchange (HRE) website.

HUD-HHS Joint TANF ECF, HPRP Guidance Letter

In case you haven't seen it, HHS Assistant Secretary for Children and Families Carmen R. Nazario and HUD Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development Mercedes Márquez provide guidance on TANF. 

General Accounting Office Releases Reports on Homelessness

This past June and July, the General Accounting Office (GAO) released two reports related to homelessness. In June, GAO released "Homelessness: A Common Vocabulary Could Help Agencies Collaborate and Collect More Consistent Data." Last month, GAO released "Rural Homelessness: Better Collaboration by HHS and HUD Could Improve Delivery of Services in Rural Areas."