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The Connection
a publication of the Georgia Coalition to End Homelessness, Inc.
January  2008
In This Issue
Homeless Programs Fair Pretty Well Under Omnibus Bill
GCEH Releases Preliminary Numbers From Georgia Eviction Study
Prescription Drug Program
VOTE GEORGIA Homeless & Low Income Voter Registration Week June 8th-14th
Quick Links
 
Dear Supporters and Members, 
 

Georgia Coalition to End Homelessness serves as Georgia's statewide homeless services network.  We are committed to fostering strategic partnerships that promote collaborative responses to meet the needs of Georgia's homeless persons and those at risk.  We appreciate your commitment and support this past year.  

 

Your partnership has supported:

  •     Over 3,000 homeless children and families were linked with 9,820 resources to meet their emergency assistance needs.
  •     1,452 youths aged 0-17 were referred to service providers for assistance.
  •    641 families were provided homeless support services.
  •      696 families and individuals were referred for rent and utility assistance.
  •     305 clients were identified for employment, education and training.
  •    264 clients received concentrated homeless services coordination.  

 

GCEH's Board of Directors and Staff wish you and your family a blessed new year full of promise and success.  We look forward to our continued partnership in 2008!

 

Katheryn Preston
770-575-5785
  Homeless Programs Fair Pretty Well Under Omnibus Bill
 

On December 19, the U.S. Congress passed a fiscal year 2008 omnibus spending bill that combines the 11 unfinished appropriations bills. The spending package has been sent to the President and he is expected to sign the bill before the continuing resolution, funding programs at fiscal year 2007 levels, expires on December 31st.
Background
 

Under pressure to finish appropriations, Congress hoped to pass a veto-proof omnibus bill last week that "split the difference" between increases in the original conference agreement and the Administration's request. However, the President rejected the compromise and there was a lack of Republican support for a veto override, so they were forced to cut funding further. Despite cuts made in the face of White House opposition, homeless and housing programs faired well.

Critical increases in the final bill are a result of year- round advocacy efforts, so thank you for partnering with us to gain support for these important programs.


Bill Highlights
 

  • The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is funded at $37.6 billion, an increase of $1.4 billion over last year's level and $2 billion more than the President's request.
  • McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Grants are funded at $1.586 billion, including $25 million for a rapid rehousing initiative for homeless families. This is a $144 million, or 10 percent, increase over current funding.
  • The bill appropriates $135 million for new Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers: approximately 8,000 vouchers for homeless veterans through the HUD- Veterans Affairs Supported Housing program; 4,000 vouchers targeted to non-elderly, people with a disability; and 2,800 vouchers for the Family Unification Program. These are the first new vouchers appropriated since 2002.
  • The Project Based Rental Assistance Program is funded at $6.139 billion - a $406 million increase over current funding.
  • The bill includes $300 million for the Housing Opportunities for Persons with Aids program - a $14 million increase over last year's level.
  • Public Housing received a $647 million increase and is funded at $12.878 billion.
  • Unfortunately, the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG formula grants) program received a lower funding level than in the earlier conference agreement. The program is funded at $3.593 billion which is $118 million less than the fiscal year 2007 level.
  • The appropriation for the Department of Health and Human Services includes an additional $9 million for the Grants for the Benefit of Homeless Individuals (GBHI) program, a 20 PERCENT INCREASE over last year; and a $10.5 million increase for the Runaway and Homeless Youth Program. (Note: these numbers reflects a 1.7 percent across-the-board cut of the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Bill.)
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These programs protect families with children, and allow low-income people and people with disabilities to remain housed. These increases are certainly a step in the right direction. But, in order to end homelessness and the affordable housing crisis in the country, we believe that a greater federal investment is needed. So, we look forward to continuing to work with you to achieve even greater success next year.




 
 GCEH Releases Preliminary Numbers From Georgia Eviction Study
 

 

The Georgia Coalition to End Homelessness is conducting a preliminary compilation of the number of dispossessory cases filed yearly within in the top twenty-six most populated counties in Georgia. The twenty-six counties were chosen as the most populated based upon a population estimate made by the U.S. Census Bureau. Though these numbers only represent cases filed; it can be estimated that the majority of the cases were carried through because once tenants receive the dispossessory warrants they are also liable for late fees that compound daily, court costs, and any attorney fees that are assessed against their cases.

 

The purpose of this on-going study is to create a visual of the how the numbers of dispossessories vary through the state of Georgia. This report shows that the highest concentration of cases filed are in the Metro Atlanta area; and though the information was not given, it can be presumed that the missing counties in metro Atlanta would relatively high numbers of dispossessories. This report was created to bring awareness to the growing number of evictions and foreclosures which are certainly a precursor to increased numbers of singles and families being put in homeless situations. By illuminating the areas with high eviction rates, the services in those areas can better prepare themselves to handle clients in this situation.

 

           

                                                2006 Dispossessories cases filed

 

Athens-Clarke                                                                                                             2,614

 

Whitfield                                                                                                           1,695

 

Douglas                                                                                                            4,556

 

Bibb                                                                                                                 1,113

 

Forsyth                                                                                                               854

 

Dougherty                                                                                                         5,773

 

Catoosa                                                                                                            1,161

 

Cherokee                                                                                                           2,848

 

Barrow                                                                                                              1,330

 

Paulding                                                                                                            1,647

 

Chatham                                                                                                            8,164

 

Spalding                                                                                                             3,140

 

Clayton                                                                                                              4,989

 

Cobb                                                                                                                17,018

 

Augusta-Richmond                                                                                             6,485

 

Hall                                                                                                                    2,814

 

Henry                                                                                                                 4,827

 

Fayette                                                                                                               1,143

 

DeKalb                                                                                                                4,046

 

Rockdale- numbers pending

 

Fulton- numbers pending

 

Gwinnett- numbers pending

 

Columbia- numbers pending

 

Houston- numbers pending

 

Muscogee- numbers pending

 

Total: 76,217

Average: 4,011 cases filed
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

           

                

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 
Prescription Discount Card Program
Clients can save 20% on prescription medications at participating pharmacies
 
A new prescription drug program released by a joint effort of local county governments and the National Association of Counties (NACo) enables participants to reduce their non-insured prescription purchases by 20% on average. This reduction with assist Georgia 's homeless and at risk service providers to stretch their prescription assistance dollars.
 
The program is simple to use. Participants simply present their card with payment at the selected pharmacy . Clients can pick up their cards at their local county office or have it mailed to them. There is no enrollment fee and no membership fee. Their card can be used immediately and one card is good for the whole family. There are no limitations or restrictions on how many times clients can use their card. The card can be used any time a prescription is NOT covered by insurance.
 
For more information and to locate counties that participate please call 1-877-321-2652 or go to
Prescription Drug Program. This website contains a list of participating pharmacies, price estimates of prescription drugs, drug interactions and news articles from health journals.
 
 
 

VOTE GEORGIA

 

Homeless and Low Income Voter Registration Week Set for June 8-14, 2008

  • Statewide non-partisan voter registration, education and mobilization events scheduled
  • Events will target new and infrequent low income and homeless voters

Homeless service providers and affordable housing organizations across the State of Georgia will hold non-partisan voter registration events the week of June 8th-14th to mark the first Georgia Homeless and Low Income Voter Registration Week.

The week is part of the Georgia Coalition to End Homelessness'  VOTE GEORGIA voter registration, education and mobilization project. The week is aimed at registering, educating and mobilizing the often disenfranchised and underrepresented homeless and low income population in Georgia. Events will be planned from Dalton to Valdosta and Columbus to Savannah. A complete list of events can be found at www.gahomeless.org

 

Although no two events will be the same, they all will carry the message that homeless and low income people must become registered to vote, engaged in the civic process, and mobilized to show up at the ballot box on November 4th if they want the candidates to address issues of importance to them.

Discrepancies between income levels and voting patterns are stark. Of people earning between $10,000 and $15,000 a year, 59% are registered, and only 44% of those actually vote. Of people earning more than $75,000 a year, 82% are registered, while 75% of registrants vote.

 

"Many Georgian's who are homeless or low income believe they don't count because government and its institutions so often treat them as invisible," said Katheryn Preston, Executive Director of the Georgia Coalition to End Homelessness. "Our VOTE GEORGIA project coupled with Homeless and Low Income Voter Registration Week, helps homeless and low income Georgians gain the voice and voting power to hold elected officials accountable for the policies that directly affect them, such as affordable housing, health care, and living wage jobs."

The Georgia Coalition to End Homelessness is confident that the statewide effort to get homeless and low income citizens engaged in the civic process will be successful because it is so empowering. "In a single stroke, you are no longer a victim. You become a part of the United States of America," said Wesley Gardener, a guest at the Loaves and Fishes Community Kitchen in Marietta, Georgia.