DRC Priorities - Housing

SOAR Shuttle Service provides transportation to:
Job interviews,
Doctor or Legal Appointments,
DHS or Social Security
Interviews
Please Call: 1-501-255-0529
To Schedule an Appointment

If You’re Homeless, You Are More Likely To Have A Learning Disability

Try being homeless.

Then add a learning disability on top of that. If you’re a child, the combination is an almost insurmountable challenge – without intervention. According to a study by the National Center for Family Homelessness, homeless children experience double the rate of learning disabilities as non-homeless children. Other studies cite higher rates as well.

While the rates in Chicago Public Schools aren’t double, they are higher. Of the 409,279 students enrolled in Chicago public schools, 12,685 students are enrolled in the CPS program for homeless children. Of those students, 1,232 are receiving special education services for a learning disability, according to Pat Rivera, CPS manager of Educational Support for Students in Temporary Living Situations. That’s 9.7 percent, as compared to a rate of 6.6 percent among non-homeless students.

There are many unknowns about the causes of learning disabilities, but there is a definite genetic component, said Robert Daniels, a licensed clinical psychologist and the executive director of the Chicago Children’s Clinic. And why the rates of the learning disabilities for homeless kids are sometimes double that of other kids isn’t clear either.

"Learning disabilities have biological bases — probably have something to do with wiring. Why it is twice as common, I can't answer that," said Ellen Bassuk, president of the National Center on Family Homelessness. But there are factors that are often present with homelessness and learning disabilities.

Hand in hand

Daniels said it made sense that there were higher rates of learning disabilities among the homeless. "If you look at the population of homeless people, most of them have a disability of one sort or another," he said. There are higher rates of every type of disability among the homeless population, Daniels said. Then, add in the fact learning disabilities run in families.

A not-uncommon situation could look something like this: A child from a poor neighborhood never gets a diagnosis or treatment for a learning disability. The child struggles through school and never overcomes the disability. As an adult, he is unable to get a good job and have a stable income. The economy takes a bad turn, he gets behind on bills, and the situation worsens until he ends up homeless. If he's a parent, when he loses his home, so do the kids.

A child of a parent with learning disabilities is six times more likely to have a disability, Daniels said.

Then these children are enrolled in the public schools, and consequently there's a higher rate of learning disabilities among that group of students. Many homeless children attend underfinanced schools. These kids sometimes get fewer services. "We know that the rates are very high," Bassuk said. "We also know that the services are not adequate to address all these needs."

Early intervention is key

Many people believe the key to helping people overcome their learning disabilities so they can lead successful, independent lives is to identify that disability early. "The issue is to get these kids evaluated early," Bassuk said. Daniels agreed that the younger a child is when diagnosed, the better the result.

Nearly anyone with a learning disability can lead an independent life if there is early intervention, he said. "Early," in this case, would ideally be the second semester of kindergarten. Approximately 80 percent of learning disabilities are reading-related. Dyslexia is probably the most common, Daniels said, but there are others as well.

Nurture may play a role

Higher concentrations of people with learning disabilities tend to be in lower economic situations, said Rodney Estvan, education policy coordinator at Access Living, a disability advocacy organization that also offers independent living services, along with working to raise awareness. "There is some discussion in the literature of learning disabilities about possible environmental consequences that can create a propensity to learning disability," Estvan said. Though the reason isn't clear, the correlation between poverty and learning disabilities is high, he said.

"I think that in families that live in extreme poverty, it's predictable that you're going to have many difficulties," said Rene Heybach, director of the law project of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. And though parents may realize something is wrong with their child's development, in the chaos of being in a homeless situation, the child's needs may not get addressed, and the opportunities for early intervention may be missed, Heybach said. Heybach also stressed the importance of early intervention, preferably by preschool.

"We know that a lot of homeless children do not get those programs," she said. "We know that homeless families feel very isolated, even though their kids are in school."

Cooling Centers in Little Rock and North Little Rock

Little Rock

North Little Rock

Are You Operating a Cooling Center?

If you are a cooling center operator in your area and would like us to include your location in our list please use our contact form to tell us. Be sure to mention the name of the center, the street address and telephone number, and the hours and days of operation. Thank you!

Housing News

St. Francis House Offering Employment Services to Homeless Veterans with Families and Women Veterans

St. Francis House has received a grant from the Department of Labor to assist homeless veterans with families and female homeless veterans to find viable employment. There will be an employment specialist available Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm. A computer lab will be available for on-line searches and applications. Assessments will begin immediately. Veterans can contact Darlene Bourgeois at 501-664-5036.

Homeless Assisted in Getting Into and/or Furnishing Their Own Residence

During the last few months, A Family Called Us, Inc. has helped approximately 30 individuals, couples, and families get into or furnish their own apartment or house. Thanks to the donations of people in Central Arkansas, they have completely furnished these residences with furniture, tvs, bedding, kitchen items, and more. A Family Called Us, Inc. is currently storing donated items in locations throughout the area. They are actively seeking warehouse space that will allow them to better store, organize, and distribute these items. If anyone knows of a space that can be donated, please contact dennis@familycalledus.org.

Camp Services Initiative Provides Supports Homeless in Area Camps

One of the highest priorities of the SOAR Network Outreach and Support Action Group is the development of a Street and Camp Services Initiative to provide a range of services and supports to homeless living in camps or on the streets. The goal is to have a core group of staff, formerly homeless individuals, and community volunteers who will visit the same camp or street location on a regularly scheduled basis to build relationships with those living in the camps. Services provided include a message phone service, mailing address service, transportation to services and supports from agencies and churches participating in the SOAR Network, and the provision of food, clothing, and personal hygiene products.

Volunteers are needed to help. If you are interested in volunteering for this service, please contact Drew Buffington at 255-0529.

Homeless Help Line to Assist Homeless with Information, Help and Support

A Family Called Us, Inc. is developing a Homeless Help Line to assist homeless persons with information, help, and support to help them escape the streets and begin rebuilding their lives. The Help Line will be operated by volunteers who will assist the homeless in accessing services and supports available through the SOAR Network, provide assistance in accessing services, and link callers to street outreach staff and volunteers. After a brief period of training and support, volunteers will have the option of signing up for two hour shifts to have calls forwarded to their home or cell phones. If you think you might be interested in being a Help Line Volunteer, please contact: dennis@familycalledus.org for more information.

SOAR Shuttle Service Growing Steadily

A Family Called Us, Inc. has implemented the SOAR Shuttle Service, providing transportation services to homeless persons being served by agencies, churches, and health clinics participating in the SOAR Network. Transportation is provided to job interviews, health services, DHS appointments, Social Security, legal services, and other locations needed by homeless persons to carry out their plans for escaping the streets. Persons needing transportation must be referred by an agency or church involved in the SOAR Network. Twenty four (24) hour advance notice is requested whenever possible.

New House of Hope Provides Supportive Transitional Housing for Women

The Us House of Hope is open and providing housing and supportive services to homeless women. With the help of a dedicated group of women volunteers, A Family Called Us, Inc. transformed a former shelter into a residence that is providing a supportive home for formerly homeless women who are rebuilding their lives.

The home has just opened and is already full, which underscores the need for this type of housing for homeless women in the Central Arkansas area.

In addition to housing, the women in House of Hope are provided with a range of services and supports to help them cope with a variety of needs and issues. These include transportation, mental health services, health services, legal services, employment services, and more.

Donation Drive To Help Fight Youth Homelessness

Angels Of Mercy, inc. is asking for donations from the community to help continue their transitional living program. The program provides short term housing, independent living skills, basic cooking classes, job referrals, prevention and intervention, school supplies, food, clothing, toys, and much more. Angels Of Mercy, inc is a 501(c)3 non-profit educational organization. Please visit angelsofmercy1.org/donations.html for more information and to make your donation.

$22 Million In Annual Grants Awarded To Arkansas Public Housing Authorities

Arkansas housing authorities received $22 million last week to modernize their living units and/or to build new ones. Two of the largest housing authorities, Little Rock and North Little Rock, received the highest amounts at $1,920,131 and $1,496,755 respectively. North Little Rock plans to use some of its funds to continue upgrading apartments and playgrounds to accommodate families with disabilities. The grants are for housing authorities to make large-scale improvements, such as new plumbing, new roofs, etc.

Little Rock Housing Authority To Host Public Forums

The Little Rock Housing Authority will host a series of neighborhood forums for residents to learn more about low-cost housing and the Authority's revitalization efforts. These forums, called Community Conversation and Coffee dates, are at 9 a.m. on July 7, 6 p.m. on July 14, noon on July 21, and 6 p.m. on July 28. All forums will be held at the Willie L. Hinton Neighborhood Resource Center at 3805 W. 12th Street. More information is available at: edlrha@lrhousing.org.

Hud Tells Grant Applicants: Don't Discriminate Based On Legal 'Sources Of Income' Or Risk Funding

6/11/2010: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will begin requiring applicants seeking grant funding to comply with state and local laws that protect individuals from being denied housing based on their lawful source of income. This funding requirement is part of a broader effort by HUD to make certain grant applicants meet state and local anti-discrimination laws, including those prohibiting housing discrimination based on a person's income. HUD has published a general funding notice detailing the minimum requirements that will apply to all of the Department's competitively awarded grant programs for Fiscal Year 2010. For the first time, HUD will now require applicants to comply with state and local anti-discrimination laws that prohibit housing discrimination against persons based on their 'lawful source of income.' Read the full article on the HUD website.

Community Input Sought on AIDS Housing

The Housing Work Group of the Federal AIDS Housing Policy Partnership (FAPP) is seeking community input on AIDS housing across the country through the attached survey. The purpose of the survey is to collect information to frame discussions within the work group on possible reauthorization of the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS program (HOPWA), including, but not limited to, revisions to the HOPWA distribution formula.

The current HOPWA formula provides 25% of the total allocation to eligible metropolitan areas; states are not eligible. The remaining 75% is distributed based on cumulative AIDS cases only, which includes all deceased persons from the beginning of the epidemic in the U.S. Living cases are not the basis for distribution. Additionally, HIV cases are not counted as a factor, which hurts areas of the country with a newer epidemic, where the HIV to AIDS ratio is higher.

No specific timeline is currently known for HOPWA reauthorization either from the Congress or the Administration. With the help of information received on how HOPWA is currently working in your community and what changes would be helpful, the community will be prepared to provide input on the critical issue of AIDS housing when reauthorization is scheduled.

Homelessness Reaching Crisis Proportions Not Seen Since The Great Depression

An article in the New York Times last week notes homelessness is reaching crisis proportions not seen since the Great Depression. While some of the more common reasons for homelessness (domestic abuse, mental illness, addiction) continue, the current surge of homelessness can largely be attributed directly to the recession. This rather extensive article in the New York Times tells the story of individuals who have become homeless, often through the loss of their jobs, and also talks about the various programs working to stem this tide. The article can be found on the New York Times website at: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/22/business/economy/22prevent.html

Wells Fargo Housing Foundation Provides Grants That Focus On Affordable Housing

The Wells Fargo Housing Foundation is committed to increasing homeownership through the development of affordable housing throughout the United States. The Foundation's Homeownership Grant Program supports local nonprofit housing organizations that help create homeownership opportunities for low- to moderate-income families. Grants are provided for the construction or rehab of owner-occupied homes, homebuyer education programs, home repair assistance, or subsidies that help struggling families purchase or retain their homes. Funded projects or programs must serve owner-occupied low-to moderate-income homebuyers only. Requests are reviewed four times per year. The next application deadline is May 1, 2010. Visit the Wells Fargo website to submit an online application.

HUD Funding Over 5000 Housing Choice Vouchers Across US

Thousands of Americans with disabilities will have housing assistance specifically targeted to meet their needs, according to the departments of Health & Human Services (HHS) and Housing & Urban Development (HUD). As part of President Obama's Year of Community Living initiative, HHS and HUD have been working to provide housing support for non-elderly persons with disabilities to live productive, independent lives in their communities rather than in institutional settings. HUD is offering approximately $40 million to public housing authorities across the country to fund nearly 5,300 Housing Choice Vouchers for non-elderly persons with disabilities, allowing them to live independently. Read the press release »

"Costs Associated With First-Time Homelessness For Families And Individuals" Study Available On Hud Website

A study has been released that measures costs associated with first-time homeless families and individuals incurred by service delivery systems in six communities: Des Moines; Iowa, Houston, Texas; Jacksonville, Florida (for individuals); and Kalamazoo, Michigan; Upstate South Carolina; and Washington, D. C. (for families).

The study can be found at: http://www.huduser.org/portal/publications/povsoc/cost_homelessness.html

LIHEAP Applications Being Accepted

The Central Arkansas Development Council is accepting applications for the CRISIS Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This program assists households with home energy and heating bills.

To qualify for crisis LIHEAP, persons must have a disconnect notice with a disconnect date within 7 days of application date. All households receiving food stamps are potentially eligible to receive this assistance; however, the program is not limited to food stamp recipients.

Applications are accepted Monday through Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. to noon in Calhoun, Clark, Columbia, Dallas, Hot Spring, Lonoke, Ouachita, Saline, and Union counties.

Lonoke County residents may also apply in Cabot Monday and Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Workforce Center at 110 S. 1st St., Ste. C. Applications are accepted by appointment. To make an appointment, contact the CADC Lonoke office at (501) 676-0019 or 1-800-406-5562.

Applications are accepted from 8:00 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays in Montgomery County. Contact the CADC Mt. Ida SCAT at 112 Hwy 270 W, Suite 10 or at (870) 867-2313.

In Pike County, applications will be accepted from 8:00 a.m. to Noon on Tuesdays. Contact the CADC Glenwood Senior Activity Center at 229 Betty St, or (870) 356-4212. On Mondays, from 8:00 a.m. to noon, applications will be accepted at the CADC Murfreesboro Senior Activity Center at 120 E. Court, Ste. A. For more information call (870) 285-2312.

Applications in Pulaski County are taken by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, contact the CADC Little Rock Office at (501) 603-0909 Thursday or Friday for an appointment the following week.

The income guidelines for this program are based on 150-percent of Federal Poverty Guidelines. Based on these guidelines, a one person household must make less than $1,300 per month to qualify. For each additional household member, add $468 to the monthly income to determine eligibility.

To apply for assistance, the household should bring a copy of the current utility bill, social security numbers, and proof-of-income and date of birth for all household members. Clients must have a working knowledge of household resources. Additional information may be required during the interview process. Failure to provide verification requested may result in delay or denial of assistance. Allow agency 35 days to make payment. For more information, call your local CADC office.

CADC is a private nonprofit community action agency that was formed in 1965 to fight and win the "War on Poverty." The mission of CADC is to improve the quality of life and build strong communities in Arkansas. For more information, please contact your local CADC office.

SOAR Exploring the Establishment of a MOPED Motor Pool

The Transportation Action Committee is exploring the feasibility of establishing a MoPed Motor Pool to assist in providing transportation to homeless persons who are living in transitional housing and are employed. The plan is to establish a central pool of MoPeds that would be made available to persons living in housing furnished by one of the SOAR Network participating agencies that need assistance getting to and from their jobs.

SOAR is currently examining insurance and liability issues and implications. They are also putting together a working group of SOAR Network participating agencies that might be interested in participating in the program to develop and agree upon procedures for making the Mopeds available to those in need.

The Resource Development Action Committee is exploring options for obtaining MoPeds for the program.

If you are interested in being a member of this working group, contact Laura Brinkley at laura@soarnetwork.org

SOAR Employment and Housing Committees to Develop Youth build Grant Application

The SOAR Employment and Housing Action Committees are moving forward on developing a Youthbuild grant application to the Department of Labor. The Youthbuild grant will provide funding to train older teens and young adults in the construction trades. They will be actively involved in building or remodeling housing for homeless individuals and families.

New Futures for Youth has agreed to be the lead agency for the grant. A working group is now being formed to develop the application. Anyone interested in participating in this working group should contact Rebecca Scissors at rebecca@soarnetwork.org or Christine Slocomb at christinesoar@yahoo.com .

SOAR Warehouse Subcommittee Organizing

The SOAR Warehouse Project is forming a subcommittee of agencies and churches interested in participating in the Warehouse to develop procedures and guidelines for its use. We are establishing a central warehouse facility that will accept and store donations of a wide variety of goods that will be distributed through participating agencies and churches to assist the homeless.

Homeless people will work in the warehouse to learn basic job skills, warehouse skills, and establish a work history.

SOAR is in the final stages of getting the facility ready for use. If your agency or church wants to participate on the subcommittee, please contact Christine Slocomb at christinesoar@yahoo.com .

SOAR Network Web Site to Develop "Our Voices" Site

The SOAR Network Web Site is developing a sub site that will feature art, poetry, writing, videos, and other content submitted by homeless and formerly homeless persons in Central Arkansas.

SOAR has a committee of homeless persons working with them on the site and is deciding on the content and features that will be included. SOAR has set up the basic content and is getting homeless persons to begin submitting content.

If you are working with the homeless, encourage them to submit content to the site. When logged in to the site, go to user's menu and submit content. Scroll to the bottom of the page and you will see the Our Voices submission links.

Rapid Rehousing Program At Our House Shelter

Our House has received federal stimulus funds to assist individuals experiencing homelessness. To qualify for the program, a person must currently be homeless (not at risk of becoming homeless) and living in a shelter. A case manager from the shelter should contact Rod Bryan at 501-374-7383 ext 213 and make a referral for the individual. Mr. Bryan will then make an appointment to conduct an assessment to determine eligibility.

SOAR’s Camp Services Program Launching Next Week

The Camp Services Program developed by SOAR's Outreach and Support Action Committee will officially begin operations next week. They currently have two vans committed to the project and are in the process of setting up schedules with homeless camps.

SOAR still needs volunteers to help. If you are interested, call Erin Blome at 501-255-0529.

The Camp Services Program will visit specific homeless camps on a regularly scheduled basis to build relationships with persons experiencing homelessness, provide information and access to services, and provide basic needs such as food and clothing.

SOAR Network Setting up Central Warehouse Facility

Us, Inc. is in the process of setting up a central warehouse facility that will be used to store and distribute donations to the homeless through the participating agencies and churches in the SOAR Network. The facility will be located in the old Three Star Muffler Shop located at 313 E Broadway St, N Little Rock.

Volunteers are in the process of cleaning the preparing the facility and plans are to begin moving items into the warehouse by the end of the week. Us, Inc. in the process of putting together a working committee of agencies and churches that have interest in using the facility to assist in developing it.

Plans are to use the facility as a job training program for the homeless. Us, Inc. will hire homeless to work in the facility learning basic job skills and warehouse work. Us, Inc. is also linking with warehouses and distribution centers in the area to work with and give preference in hiring to those who establish a good work record in the warehouse.

For more information or to get involved, contact Dennis Beavers at dennis[at]soarnetwork.org.

Possible Ban On Feeding Homeless Under The Broadway Bridge In The Works?

Rumors have been circulating recently that the City of Little Rock is looking to enact an ordinance to ban the feeding of people under the Broadway Bridge. It has been reported that City Attorney Tom Carpenter is working on such an ordinance at the request of City Director Dean Kumpuris. Homeless Services Coordinator Jimmy Pritchett did confirm in a meeting recently that several concerns were relayed to him this past September about park users feeling threatened by large numbers of homeless people in the park, as well as concerns about trash, vandalism and human waste. Volunteers who have been serving meals in the park have stated they are vigilant about picking up after serving meals and wonder if some of the problems aren't being caused by feeding the homeless so much as they are being caused by inebriated individuals leaving River Market establishments. In acknowledging the concerns, Mr. Pritchett stated he and a coalition of service providers have been looking at possible alternative feeding sites. At a recent meeting of this coalition, many additional advocates showed up to voice their concerns about a possible ban. While advocates stated they would be willing to consider other sites, not many alternative sites were suggested. Most of the advocates demonstrated they are willing to work with the city to rectify the problems so they can continue to feed and work with the homeless.

Texas Tech Sociologist's New Book Uncovers Nationwide Problem with How Homelessness is Handled

Four years ago, a Texas Tech University sociologist took a different tack by studying homeless people who preferred living on the streets to shelters.

When he asked why many stayed away from shelters, what he found uncovered one of the biggest problems with how social assistance programs deal with the problem across the country.

Jason Wasserman, an assistant professor of sociology in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work, chronicled the four-year research project in a new book, "At Home on the Street: People, Poverty and a Hidden Culture of Homelessness." The book was co-authored by Jeffrey Michael Clair, an associate professor of sociology in the Department of Sociology and Social Work at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

The biggest reason why many homeless people shied away from shelter services was because submitting to a drug-treatment program was a prerequisite for admission. The vast majority of the street homeless population interviewed by Wasserman and Clair said they didn't have a drug problem and wouldn't say they did just to access the shelter.

The other reason many refused shelter assistance is because they felt like shelter workers treated them more like children than adults, he said.

"The book essentially covers questions including who are the homeless, how do they build their communities, what is their life like on a day-to-day basis, and why do they resist services available to them," he said. "One of our key questions was why would someone choose to stay on the streets rather than a shelter. And we found some very lucid reasons as to why they stayed away."

Wasserman and Clair accessed the homeless population living on the streets, rail yards and urban camps of Birmingham, Ala., Rather than the standard clipboard-and-questionnaire approach used in many homeless studies, the two stayed overnight with some groups and infiltrated the complex rules and regulations of the city's homeless communities.

"Originally, we thought that the problem with homeless services was that they were not funded enough," he said. "We became more critical of the services once we started looking into them. It seemed the shelters dealt with addiction and mental illness almost exclusively. That's great if that's your problem, but alienating if it's not. One thing nearly all homeless people do want is jobs. They don't want treatment or even meals. But they will work, and they will push and shove to get a job.

"Overall, we found the shelters followed a medical model of homelessness, where treatment is required to access services. This puts a band-aid on just a few of the individual symptoms associated with homelessness rather than being attentive to the way society contributes to the problem. In that way, social programs sometimes can make the problem worse."

Wasserman's work spurred a documentary film, which will soon be accessible at www.americanrefugeesfilm.com (currently set for May 2010). For a copy of the book for review, contact Lynne Rienner Publishers at www.rienner.com.

CONTACT: Jason Wasserman, assistant professor, Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work, Texas Tech University, (205) 937-1605, or jason.wasserman@ttu.edu.

The Changing Face of Homelessness: Findings from the 2009 U.S. Conference of Mayors Report on Hunger and Homelessness

According to a new report from the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the landscape of homelessness is being redrawn in cities across the nation. While Ten Year Plans have helped more individuals exit homelessness, family homelessness is growing. This shift is changing the face of homelessness and prompting city leaders to reevaluate how homeless services are provided.

Despite the recession, the report found that 64% of cities had fewer or the same number of individuals living in homeless shelters over the past year. Most cities attribute declines to Ten-Year Plans for ending chronic homelessness among single adults.

However, 76% of cities reported an increase in the number of homeless families over the past year. The recession and a lack of affordable housing are cited as likely causes. These findings represent a continuation of national trends reported in HUD's 2008 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress.

Us, Inc. Opening Two New Houses for Homeless - Needs Beds!!

Family Called Us, Inc. is opening two new houses for homeless in Central Arkansas. They need furniture and kitchen items. They are getting a good response for most things, but are having difficulty finding <em>twin beds</em>. They need six more to be able to open both houses. If you know of a bed or can help spread the word they will appreciate it. Other things they need include:

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

Each year thousands of families face financial difficulties during the winter months. You may qualify for one or more of various federal, state and local energy assistance programs that are available to you, including the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Participants in this program may receive an assistance grant once a year to help with their energy bills. The grant is not a loan, so you will not be required to repay the amount. In order to qualify, you must meet the income and asset guidelines. To find the agency office nearest you, call (800) 482-8988 or visit http://www.state.ar.us/dhs/dco/ocs/

Reflections on an Eventful Year by the SOAR Network

It has indeed been an eventful year for the development of the SOAR Network initiative in Central Arkansas. We started the year with little more than a vision and the determination to do what we could to make things better for the homeless of our community.

We now have over 200 agencies, churches, and individuals involved in some aspect of developing and supporting the SOAR Network model. We have established nine Action Committees and the Coordinating Committee of the Network will start meeting shortly after the first of the year.

There are several projects and initiatives that are currently underway as a result of our efforts and more that are being developed. Some of the more notable are:

The momentum for the SOAR Network is building and the coming year holds a lot of promise for building upon the foundation that has been established. Thank you to all who have been involved and worked hard to make this possible.

Compassion Communities is Now A Family Called Us, Inc.

Compassion Communities, the organization that developed and is supporting the SOAR Network concept is now A Family Called Us, Inc. "We feel the new name more accurately reflects to mission and goals of the organization," according to Dennis Beavers, Coordinator of Us, Inc.

The newly renamed organization wants to focus the majority of their efforts on developing programs and initiatives in which the homeless and former homeless are actively involved in self help and peer help efforts. In addition to developing and supporting group shelter and transitional housing options, Us, Inc. will focus on

Federal Loans To Subsidize Renovations Projects In Arkansas To Increase Affordable Housing Options

State officials are in the process of finalizing five no-interest loan agreements for housing renovations in Fayetteville, Ft. Smith, Rogers, Little Rock and North Little Rock. The money, which will cover $17.6 million worth of renovations, comes from the 2008 housing recovery act. A provision of that act seeks to refurbish abandoned properties, and will include renovations to make at least some units accessible. The properties must be inhabited by individuals whose incomes do not exceed 120% of the area's median income. The five projects are: South Creekside Apartments (136 units) in Fayetteville, The Meadows of Rogers (50 units) in Rogers, eight homes in Ft. Smith (Ft. Smith Housing Authority), 30 homes in the Central High School area of Little Rock (Reed Property Group), and 13 homes in North Little Rock (Argent Community Development Corporation's Baring Cross project).

Local Non-Profits Assisting Residents In Buying Homes

While building permits for new housing remain low, some homebuilding continues, particularly by such non-profit groups as Habitat for Humanity and the Downtown Community Development Corporation. Habitat for Humanity is about to build its 100th volunteer built home, and the Downtown Community Development Corporation is working on its first home, but plans to build more. The Little Rock Housing Authority is also working on its first-ever development of single-family homes, and is selling lots in that development. Of the 17 new houses in its New Horizon Village subdivision, nine have been sold, two are under contract, and two more are pending contracts. New Horizon Village, located near Main Street and Roosevelt Road, has replaced a 150-unit public housing apartment complex. The homes are a mix of two- and three-bedroom, and sell for $109,000 to $125,000. The housing authority is next expecting to build new rental homes in the Stephens and Central High School neighborhoods (12 duplexes and two single-family homes), in addition to a senior-citizen housing complex near Granite Mountain.

VA Announces New Plan To End Homelessness Among Veterans

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki recently unveiled the department's comprehensive plan to end homelessness among Veterans during a VA National Summit. The comprehensive plan to end homelessness includes preventive measures like discharge planning for incarcerated Veterans re-entering society, supportive services for low-income Veterans and their families and a national referral center to link Veterans to local service providers. The plan also calls for expanded efforts in the areas of jobs, housing, health care and education. This new approach will focus on preventing homelessness among veterans in addition to trying to get homeless veterans off the streets.

Fannie Mae To Allow Some Homeowners To Rent Back Their Homes

The government-controlled company Federal National Mortgage Association, known as Fannie Mae, has created a new "Deed for Lease" program that will allow borrowers on the verge of foreclosure to transfer ownership of their home to Fannie Mae and sign a one-year lease, with possible month-to-month extensions after that. It is hoped the program will "eliminate some of the uncertainty of foreclosure, keeps families and tenants in their homes during a transitional period, and helps to stabilize neighborhoods and communities," Fannie Mae vice-president Jay Ryan announced. This program is designed to help homeowners who don't qualify for a loan modification but still want to remain in their homes. To qualify, homeowners have to live in the home as their primary residence and prove they can afford to pay fair market rent. The rent cannot be more than 31% of the homeowner's pre-tax income for the homeowner to qualify. So far, the program has not had a big impact; in six months, Fannie Mae took back about 1,200 properties through this "deed-in-lieu of foreclosure" process, compared to 57,000 properties the company repossessed during the same six months. The properties in this program will be managed by an as-yet-unnamed outside management company. For more information visit the Deed For Lease website at www.efanniemae.com

Congress Passes The "Helping Families Save Their Homes Act Of 2009"

Earlier in 2009, Congress passed the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009. This act covers prevention of mortgage foreclosures, foreclosure mitigation and credit availability, foreclosure moratorium provisions, and protecting tenants at foreclosure. The section regarding protecting tenants at foreclosure requires a notice to vacate be provided to a tenant with at least 90 days notice. The entire act can be found at: http://thomas.loc.gov/home/gpoxmlc111/s896_enr.xml

Rental Assistance Offered To Columbia, Lafayette And Nevada Counties

Residents of Columbia, Nevada and Lafayette counties whose homes were damaged by storms in October can obtain temporary rental assistance through the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management's Individual Assistance Program. This assistance is for homeowners or renters whose residences were rendered uninhabitable by the October storms. Residents can apply for the assistance by calling 1-888-683-2336. Residents can also receive assistance for uninsured property losses through the state's Individual and Family Grant program. Contact the Department of Human Services for more information. In Columbia County, call 870-234-4190, in Lafayette County, 870-921-4283, and in Nevada County, 870-887-6626.

Homes Not Handcuffs: The Criminalization Of Homelessness In U. S. Cities

The National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty and The National Coalition for the Homeless released a report this year on the criminalization of homelessness called "Homes Not Handcuffs: The Criminalization of Homelessness in U. S. Cities". The report addresses many issues, including legal problems with criminalization measures and how criminalization measures violate human rights. The report focuses on how permanent housing is cheaper than criminalization, and also includes a list of the "10 meanest cities". The report can be found at: http://www.nlchp.org/content/pubs/2009HomesNotHandcuffs2.pdf

Arkansas Housing Search Website Up And Running

ARHousing.org is a new and free website to both search for and to list available housing in the state of Arkansas. The website is sponsored by the Department of Human Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services. The website enables you to search for housing by location, by special needs (such as wheelchair accessibility) and by other criteria. There are also "housing tools" that will help you refine your search by considering your budget, roommate preferences, and housing needs. The website also allows landlords to list available properties. To view website, go to: www.arhousing.org

Foreclosure to Homelessness 2009: The Forgotten Victims of the Subprime Crisis

The above is the title of a new report by the National Coalition for the Homeless, the National Low-Income Housing Coalition and other national organizations that states almost 80% of homeless service and advocacy agencies report that at least some of their clients became homeless as a result of foreclosure and 20% estimate that almost half their clients became homeless because of a foreclosure.

The report is based on the survey responses received from 178 local homeless service providers from all areas of the country. The report also looks at related factors that contribute to homelessness, including health care costs and whether or not the family has access to legal assistance. The report goes on to provide policy recommendations that would assist both homeowners and renters who are facing foreclosure or eviction.

Retirement Community Not Off Hook In FHA Complaint

Federal Judge G. Thomas Eisele refused to dismiss a lawsuit that alleges Fox Ridge, an assisted living facility in North Little Rock, discriminated against 75 year old Robert Franke when they evicted him because of his HIV status. The action was filed under the Fair Housing Act, Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Arkansas Civil Rights Act, and the Arkansas Fair Housing Act. The judge's decision and other documents filed in the case are shown below:

Stimulus Cash to Assist People with Disabilities in Altering Vans and Homes to be Accessible

As part of the federal stimulus plan, the state Department of Human Services will receive money in the form Medicaid rebates that has been targeted to assist people with disabilities with van conversions and home modifications. The money cannot be used to purchase vans, but can be used to equip a van an individual already owns with a wheelchair lift. The money can also be used for such modifications as installing rails in bathrooms and building wheelchair ramps.

The money is a one-time program, and funding is limited to $7,500 for one project per person. The money is available to anyone in the state of Arkansas, and the state intends to spend the money by the end of calendar year 2010. The program will be over once the money runs out; however, so interested persons should apply as soon as possible. To be considered eligible, an individual must have a physician’s certification that they are of "limited mobility" and have a "need for a wheelchair".

If you are interested in applying or seeing if you are eligible for the program, you can contact Martha Smith (individuals age 18 and older) at 501-683-5687 or Nancy Holder (individuals age 17 and younger) at 501-682-1464.

Loan Modification Guidelines Now Set For The "Making Home Affordable" Program

The Obama administration last week set guidelines for the $75 billion homeowner rescue plan, designed to assist at least some at-risk mortgage holders. There has already been some criticism of the program and who it will not help, namely some mortgage holders in some of the most battered housing markets, including California, Nevada, Arizona and Florida. There is also some skepticism regarding banks and their willingness to participate. The program has two components: one to work with lenders to modify loan terms for up to four million homeowners, and the other to refinance up to five million homeowners into more affordable fixed-rate loans. Loans can be modified only once, the loans must have been made prior to January 02, 2009, and mortgages must be under $729,750. Eligible participants will have to provide their most recent tax return and two pay stubs, as well as an “affidavit of financial hardship”. In this modification program, lenders could reduce the interest rate to as low as two percent for up to five years, with rates rising to about five percent for the remainder of the loan. The modification program runs through 2012. To be eligible for the refinance program, the mortgage must be held by either Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, and borrowers have until June 2010 to apply. Not all of the details have been worked out for the refinance program, including how it will be implemented and whether refinancing fees will be rolled back. Another concern about the program is whether banks will be willing to participate, which could be a huge stumbling block towards homeowners getting the assistance they need.

Arkansas Ranks Among The Worst States In Aid To Homeless Children

The National Center on Family Homelessness is releasing a report today naming Connecticut the best and Arkansas, Texas, Georgia, New Mexico and Louisiana among the worst in addressing homelessness among children. According to this new report, one in 50 children in America experience homelessness, with this number surely to rise given the state of the economy and the increasing number of foreclosures and job losses. The report analyzed data from 2005-2006, in which an estimated 1.5 million children experienced homelessness at least once that year. The criteria used to rank the states included: child homelessness per capita, risk for child homelessness, child well-being, and state policy and planning. Louisiana had the most homeless children per capita; however, this was at least partially due to Hurricane Katrina. Children experiencing homelessness are far more likely to experience hunger, chronic health problems, and problems in school, including dropping out. The report offered 19 recommendations for governments to improve, including more federal spending on low-income housing, assisting renters and homeowners, and more spending on child care for homeless children.

Arkansas To Receive $11.2 Million From The Economic Stimulus Bill To Prevent Homelessness

Democratic members of the state’s congressional delegation announced $11.2 million in funds coming to Arkansas to combat homelessness through the economic stimulus bill known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. All five Democratic congressional members voted in support of the Act, with Republican John Boozman being the only state congressional member who opposed it. The funds will be channeled through a Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant program to be called the Homelessness Prevention Fund. The breakdown of the award is as follows: the state will receive $10,530,746 and the city of Little Rock will receive $682,197. The program will target families and individuals who are in danger of becoming homeless if not for this program. The funds can be used for housing relocation, rental assistance, and stabilization programs such as credit counseling, utility deposits and moving costs.

Americans Invited to Take the Homeless Challenge

The National Coalition for the Homeless invites all interested Americans to take the Homeless Challenge, and help break down the barriers between the housed and the homeless.

The Challenge is intended to raise participants' awareness of the hardships of homelessness by asking them to dress down, empty their wallets, and spend time on the streets as a homeless person.

The idea of experiencing first-hand the Homeless Challenge is not a new one, with such prominant authors as George Orwell and Jack London entering the unfamiliar world of homeless living and writing about their experiences afterward.

Despite Recent Reports Homeless Numbers Have Declined, Many Expect Number To Climb Again

While HUD reports show homelessness largely declined in the nation during 2007, homeless service providers and advocates expect the number to climb again in the face of the faltering economy.

This past week, organizations and volunteers have worked to conduct a homeless count both in Arkansas and nationwide. Tracking these numbers enables service providers to access grants and funding from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Another benefit of the counts is the opportunity for organizations to find out what the needs are and what led people to become homeless, which should assist in determining what services are needed and what can be done to prevent at lease some of the circumstances that lead to homelessness. Much of the Arkansas count took place this past Tuesday, despite bad weather that closed schools and businesses.

Many service providers expect the faltering economy will increase the number of homelessness, both in Arkansas and throughout the United States. Arkansas' unemployment rate increased to 6.2 percent in December, up from 5.7 percent in November. The nationwide unemployment rate was 7.2 percent in December. Shelters, food pantries and soup kitchens are reporting significant increases in the number of people they have been serving over the past six months. The National Alliance to End Homelessness in Washington, D. C. recently released a report that predicted 1.5 million more people will become homeless over the next two years if housing and preventative services are not increased.

Services Offered At The Day Resource Center At River City Ministry

The Day Resource Center (DRC), located at 1021 East Washington Avenue in North Little Rock, offers the following services:

Mortgage Crisis? Free Booklet Available From The Federal Trade Commission

The Federal Trade Commission is offering a free booklet entitled, "Mortgage Payments Sending You Reeling? Here’s What To Do." This booklet can be downloaded at www.ftc.gov, or you can request a copy by mail at: Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Response Center, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D. C. 20580.

ADFA Still Offering Downpayment Assistance To Qualified Buyers

The Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA) continues to administer the American Dream Downpayment Initiative, or ADDI, which was established to assist low-income families and individuals in coming up with a down payment on a home. Up to six percent of the purchase price of a home, up to $10,000, is available to qualified homebuyers through the ADDI program. The income limit to qualify for this program varies from county to county, with a family of four in Pulaski County able to qualify if their household income does not exceed $45,200, while a family of four in Benton and Washington counties cannot exceed a household income of $42,500 to qualify. As not all mortgage lenders work with the ADDI program, a family must work through a participating lender. A list of income limits by family size and county, as well as a list of participating lenders, can be accessed at: www.arkansas.gov/adfa. Since most lenders now require a down payment to purchase a home, this program can be a very valuable resource in assisting a family with a down payment.

FHA's "Hope For Homeowners" Program

The Federal Home Administration (FHA) has a new $300 billion "Hope for Homeowners" program, which is designed to move up to 400,000 mortgage holders who are struggling to make payments into 30-year, fixed-rate loans guaranteed by the FHA. President Bush signed the legislation for this program on July 30, 2008. Program requirements include borrowers living in the home that is mortgaged and having monthly debts that did not exceed 31% of their monthly income on March 1. The loans would cover 90% of the current value of the home. The program does rely on mortgage lenders accepting less money for the old mortgage, while the incentive for the lender is the avoidance of costly foreclosure proceedings. Interested homeowners should contact their mortgage lender for more information.

HUD Reaffirms Supportive Position On Emotional Support Animals

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has released a final rule that affirms HUD's recognition of emotional support animals and clarifies differences between service animals, emotional support animals and pets. In this rule, HUD also clarifies the difference between the ADA and Fair Housing laws with regards to service animals and emotional support animals. The final rule can be found at:

Housing and Urban Development Department
Pet Ownership for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities, 63834–63838 [E8–25474]
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-25474.htm [TEXT]
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-25474.pdf [PDF]

New Guidelines For "Reasonable Modifications" Under The Fair Housing Act Available

The Departments of Justice and Housing and Urban Development (DOJ and HUD) have released new guidelines regarding the right of people with disabilities to modify the places where they live. The new guidelines should assist both housing providers to understand their obligations under the Fair Housing Act and people with disabilities to understand their rights under the Act.

Arkansas Safe Room/Shelter Program Provides Assistance for Building Storm Shelters

This program, administered by the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management, provides up to $1,000 to households that build safe rooms/storm shelters. This program is for homeowners who install a shelter after January 21, 1999, and will pay up to 50% of cost and installation, not to exceed $1,000. The money comes in the form of a rebate, and there is no deadline to apply. The contact is Bonnie Arnold, State Mitigation Grant Coordinator, and more information can be found at http://www.adem.arkansas.gov

USDA Rental Assistance

LOOKING FOR SUBSIDIZED HOUSING? ON A WAITING LIST FOR HUD AND/OR PUBLIC HOUSING?

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides rental assistance on over 6,000 units of housing in Arkansas. This rental assistance program is funded through USDA’s Rural Development program, with most of this housing located in rural areas of Arkansas. The rental assistance is tied to the individual unit, so to access the rental assistance, you must rent an apartment that has been designated a rental assistance property, and you cannot transfer your assistance to another property.

The program operates similarly to HUD’s housing programs, with applicants having to meet low-income guidelines, and with rents usually amounting to 30% of an eligible individual’s income. Because this is a federal program, these USDA units must comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, meaning at least five percent of the units are accessible for people with a mobility disability and another one percent are accessible for people with visual and hearing disabilities.

To find a list of properties with USDA rental assistance attached to them, visit: nhtinc.org

Properties are listed alphabetically by town. This site does not state whether there are currently vacancies at each property, as that information changes daily. The site does provide the name and address of the property, the number of total units, the number of units with rental assistance, and a breakdown of how many apartments have one bedroom, two bedrooms, etc.

Housing and Homeless Interests

The National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty released an updated version of Educating Homeless Children and Youth:The Guide to Their Rights (Aug 2007). It is available for download on NLCHP's website in PDF format.

Housing and Homelessness

DRC Housing Priorities for 2010

Central Arkansas' Ten-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness

Homeless?? Need Transportation??