Homelessness may seem like an insurmountable problem exacerbated by an uncertain economy, stratospheric housing costs and public indifference. But it can be reduced through efficient use of limited resources, creative thinking and preventive steps, speakers said during a national conference in Seattle.

While more low-income housing would alleviate homelessness, underlying needs must be addressed to keep families from becoming homeless in the first place, said Nan Roman, president of the National Alliance to End Homelessness in Washington, D.C.

"Families need much more than just a place to live," she said in her keynote speech. "Maybe we can't provide a lifetime's worth of education, health care, counseling, training, treatment and children's services while they are homeless. But we can do what is possible to stabilize them while they are with us in the homeless system, and then ... link them with strong local services while they are in housing."

Roman spoke to 700 government, social service, business and homeless people at the fourth annual National Conference on Ending Family Homelessness, which continues Friday at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel.

Among other factors, she said, the threat of a recession, higher costs of living and cuts in government services all affect the ability of a family to keep a roof over its head.

"Ending family homelessness will not be accomplished by improving the efficiency of the homeless system alone," Roman said. "We must demand the same types of efficiency and effectiveness and rigor and attention to research and data and best practices from our mainstream systems. We must also demand, quite simply, that they do more."

She drew applause with her next line: "We must make the case and insist that the lack of affordable housing is the crisis that is driving homelessness, and not some character flaw in millions of poor families."

Research shows that 80 percent of homeless families spend less than one year in homeless programs, with 60 percent spending less than six months, Roman said.

While children are "resilient and will rebound from the damages of a homeless experience," she said, "they may also be affected during key developmental moments" and should be quickly returned to stable housing.

About 744,313 people -- including nearly 100,000 families -- were homeless in January 2005, according to a nationwide, point-in-time count summarized in a National Alliance to End Homelessness report.

Washington had 23,970 homeless people, with 30 percent of them in King County. More than 1,000 of them were King County families with children.

The "new paradigm" to ease family homelessness focuses on prevention and diversion, such as rent assistance; subsidizing the rapid return of displaced families into housing connected with services; and targeting services according to need, Roman said.

That will require better data and research, she said, because "the bad news is that we have fairly limited knowledge of how to identify those who ... live on the brink of homelessness."

Entering homelessness is a "signal event" in a person's life, Dennis Culhane, professor of social welfare policy at the University of Pennsylvania, said in a conference workshop.

The goal is not to "get them out of a shelter and pretend it didn't happen" but to examine the factors that led them into homelessness, he said, and to get the social service, vocational and other mainstream systems to "do their jobs."

Culhane suggested that more resources and greater efficiency would lower homelessness, though he likened the problem to a sinking ship. No one has solved homelessness and "we're not saving the Titanic," he said. "But more (would have survived) if there was a better use of lifeboats, and more of them."

Those providing services to the homeless also must adapt.

Louisville, Ky., resident Barbara Banaszynski of Volunteers of America, who helps the organization's affiliates serve the homeless and others, recently visited a Salt Lake City project to house the chronically homeless. She found that some residents did not participate in the services offered for reasons providers hadn't anticipated.

GCEH Congratulates Long Time Friend Horace Sibley on National Award

 In the spirit of the inspiring new reality series Oprah's BIG GIVE, ABC handed over $10,000 to WSB-TV, Channel 2 with the challenge: give back to the community in a big way. That $10,000 began to grow immediately when Channel 2 called on its Family 2 Family partners. Each partner pledged its support of the project.

WSB-TV's campaign tackles education of Georgia's homeless youth head on. Through its partnership with the Children's Restoration Network of Atlanta, the project will create an endowment for the New Hope Scholarship program. This scholarship program has been in existence since 2005, providing financial assistance to 19 deserving seniors who reside in group homes or homeless shelters throughout metro Atlanta.

Jovita Moore, Channel 2 news anchor, will lead the campaign through Public Service Announcements on WSB-TV. Her messages will raise awareness for CRN's mission and explain the various methods for donating to the cause.

"We hope to turn this $10,000 challenge into a major scholarship endowment that will help Atlanta students for years to come," said Moore.

"And, it's not all about money," she continued. "Oprah's Big Give 2 Georgia will raise awareness for CRN's tutorial program: Project One on One. The program conducts once a week in-shelter mentoring for homeless children in Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, DeKalb and Cobb counties. Through Oprah's Big Give 2 Georgia campaign, we will recruit mentors to work with these deserving kids."

To learn more about the Children's Restoration Network and becoming a mentor click here.

"I am really moved by the eager participation of our Family 2 Family and other corporate partners," said Bill Hoffman, WSB-TV vice president and general manager. "You could really feel the excitement in the room as we all came together to wrap our arms around this project," he continued. "I can't wait to see the difference it will make in the lives of these young people. I want to thank ABC and Oprah's Big Give for this amazing opportunity for Channel 2 to give back to the Atlanta community in such a meaningful way."

Starting immediately, the public can contribute online and grow this fund. Just go to www.wsbtv.com and click on the Oprah's Big Give button or just click here.

Kroger will spearhead a "round up" program, March 30 through April 6, at over 100 Kroger stores across Georgia. People checking out can opt to have their bill rounded up. That small change, one customer at a time, raises big money.

Also, on April 14 and April 15, Waffle House locations will donate 15 cents from every waffle sold to the project. Waffle House took another step beyond money. It has offered jobs to each senior identified by the Children's Restoration Network, to help them get a running start at life.

Final McKinney Appropriations Letter Sent

Get Ready for Cover the Uninsured Week 2008, April 27-May 3!

Forty-seven million Americans, including more than 9 million children, are living without health care coverage. It's time to start planning for the sixth annual Cover the Uninsured Week and help get America covered.

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• Host an enrollment event at a hospital, community center or school
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• Distribute information about available low-cost and free health coverage programs to uninsured individuals and families

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