Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
55280401
label
ICH [Interagency Council on the Homeless] Policy Group Meeting Summary [April 6, 1996]
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
55280401
sourceUrl
contentType
document
title
ICH [Interagency Council on the Homeless] Policy Group Meeting Summary [April 6, 1996]
citationUrl
collections
Records of the Domestic Policy Council (Clinton Administration)
Molly Brostrom's Files
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
55280401
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
otherTitles
42-t-7763280-20120326S-002-006-2017
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
d4aa9a1f2ac81bb5
ocrText
Interagency Council on the Homeless
April 11, 1996
MEMORANDUM TO:
POLICY GROUP MEMBERS AND STAFF CONTACTS
FROM:
FRED KARNAS, JR.
FK
ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
SUBJECT:
SUMMARY OF THE APRIL 2, 1996, POLICY GROUP
MEETING
This memorandum summarizes key matters discussed at the
April 2 Policy Group meeting and identifies required follow-up
activities.
Fred Karnas opened the meeting by thanking those who made
the March 13 meeting of the full Council so successful. He has
received very positive feedback from a number of participants.
A.
UPDATE ON RECENT DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ACTIONS
Paul Hancock of the Civil Rights Division, Department of
Justice (DOJ), reported on recent activities undertaken by
his office and described the legal assistance available to
homeless service providers. DOJ recently considered
participating as a friend of the court in a case in Miami,
FL involving the establishment of "zones" for homeless
people, but ultimately decided not to do so on the basis of
a decision by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. DOJ did
participate in a Federal court case in San Francisco in
which the enforcement of state and city laws prohibiting
camping, lodging and sleeping in public was seen as
criminalizing the status of homelessness, a violation of the
Eighth Amendment. DOJ continues to look for appropriate
cases in which to participate that involve a clear Federal
interest and where the legal process can help meet the goals
of the Council. Hancock discussed the protections of the
Federal Fair Housing Act against certain types of
discrimination, and noted that DOJ is working with the
League of Cities and Conference of Mayors to clarify the
obligations of municipalities under the Fair Housing Act on
zoning, land use, and other issues. Hancock encouraged
agency representatives to call him (202/514-4713) if they
have questions. He invited them to identify additional
opportunities for outreach by DOJ staff on civil rights
matters.
451 Seventh Street, S.W.
Suite 7274
Washington, D.C. 20410-0000
(202) 708-1480
APR 15, 1996 2:49PM #597 P.02
TO:WH DOM PC-PG
FROM:HOMELESS COUNCIL
3
telephone interviews have been completed and that 12,000 of
the 15,000 entities on the original list have been
contacted. The mail surveys have been and are continuing to
be sent out. Representatives of the sponsoring agencies are
continuing to meet to discuss a plan for data analysis. At
the recommendation of Secretary Shalala, the Policy Group
will assume the lead in making final decisions on key policy
issues to be analyzed. This discussion is planned for the
June 2 meeting of the Policy Group.
--Activities of the ICH Task Force on Homeless Veterans
Marsha Martin of VA invited agency representatives to
participate in two conferences that are being co-sponsored
by VA, the National Coalition for the Homeless, and the
Vietnam Veterans Assistance Fund. The conferences are
scheduled for May 30-June 1 in Chicago and September 14-17
in Dallas. She will contact agencies to provide additional
information later.
--Recent NOFAs: Continuum of Care (HUD); Homeless Veterans
Grant and Per Diem Program (VA); and Homeless Veterans
Employment and Training Program (DOL)
Maggie Taylor (HUD), Marsha Martin and Paul Robertson (DOL)
discussed the key focuses and points of contact for each of
the subject notices of funding availability. Lawrence
Rickards (HHS) noted that CMHS is planning to issue a NOFA
for $3 million soon on various aspects of prevention.
E. OTHER BUSINESS
Fred Karnas closed the meeting by noting that the Policy
Group meeting previously scheduled for May 2 will have to be
postponed until May 14. Accordingly, the next meeting of the
Policy Group will be on Tuesday, May 14, 1996 at 2:00 p.m. A
notice will be faxed to you with the agenda and information on
the room number for the meeting.
FUTURE POLICY GROUP MEETINGS. Note: All meetings are on the
first Tuesday of the month and will begin at 2:00 p.m. on the
dates listed. A confirmation notice will be faxed to you before
each meeting.
May 14, 1996
September 3, 1996
June 4, 1996
October 1, 1996
July 2, 1996
November 5, 1996
August 6, 1996
December 3, 1996
APR 15, 1996 2:50PM #597 P.04
TO:WH DOM PC-PG
FROM:HOMELESS COUNCIL
2
B.
SUBMISSION OF AGENCY UPDATES ON IMPLEMENTATION OF PRIORITY:
HOME!
Fred Karnas reminded agency representatives to submit their
reports on the implementation of Priority: Home! to him as
soon as possible. Harriet McCombs summarized HHS's progress
on key action items.
Agency reports should discuss (1) key action items of
Priority: Home! accomplished by the agency (including
updates of information submitted previously and reflected in
the October 1995 interim implementation report); (2) major
barriers to accomplishing other action items; (3) the
agency's major homelessness-related objectives for the
coming year; and (4) what, if any, are the significant
interagency cooperative activities engaged in, in relation
to homelessness, since the issuance of Priority: Home!
C.
NUTRITION EDUCATION RESOURCE GUIDE FOR HOMELESS PEOPLE
Andrea Lindsey of USDA's Food and Nutrition Information
Center described her agency's efforts to develop a nutrition
guide and other informational items for clients and workers
at shelters, soup kitchens and food banks. Materials will
be distributed electronically and as hard copy. She invited
agency representatives to suggest materials to include in
the guide and vehicles for distribution. Suggestions
included using national public interest groups, state
homeless coalitions, and clearinghouses sponsored by Federal
agencies. Fred Karnas offered to furnish a list of
recommended Federal clearinghouses to USDA. For additional
information on this effort, contact Ms. Lindsey at (301)
504-5719.
D.
INFORMATION ITEMS
--Interagency Activities to Assist People with Multiple
Diagnoses--Update
Harriet McCombs and Fred Karnas reported on the status of
the HUD-HHS joint initiative to improve services to homeless
persons with multiple diagnoses involving HIV/AIDS, mental
illness and/or substance abuse. HUD and HHS will be
coordinating their review of applications. Broad-based
technical assistance materials that stress lessons learned
and the desirability of a community-wide plan are under
development.
--Status of National Survey of Homeless Assistance Providers
and Clients
Annetta Clark of the Census Bureau reported that the
APR 15, 1996 2:49PM #597 P.03
TO:WH DOM PC-PG
FROM:HOMELESS COUNCIL