Waiting for $1.5 Billion...

The National Conference on Ending Family Homelessness concluded this afternoon. But that doesn't mean the service providers, government officials, and advocates in attendance are going to travel home, kick back, and relax. In communities across the country, unemployment is up and more families are losing their homes everyday. We've got our work cut out for us.

This morning, the House approved the Stimulus Package and, as I write this, the Senate is just one vote away from doing the same. This would direct $1.5 billion dollars to homelessness prevention, diversion, and rapid re-housing. As one speaker this afternoon said, this sum of money is both awe-inspiring and intimidating. Awe-inspiring because it brings the opportunity to reform our approach to family homelessness, putting in place more coordinated and efficient systems that could improve our approach to ending homelessness. Intimidating because the stakes are so high, the pressure is on, and this kind of broad, systematic change is never easy.

In the coming week, I'll be sorting and sharing lots of information from the conference. So stay tuned.

In the meantime, here are some of the live-Tweets I posted (via @endhomelessness) throughout the conference. If you want to read in chronological order, start at the bottom and read up.

And for those of you who were at the conference, and want to share your thoughts or connect, feel free to email me at shannon@change.org.

Tweets via @endhomelessness (starting with the most recent):

"Advocacy can be whiney." I disagree. 3:08 PM Feb 13th

Finding your political champion to help carry your message takes a lot of legwork and research. But there is no better investment of time. 3:05 PM Feb 13th

This Utah homeless coordinator distributes copies of his state's homeless count numbers to every person at every meeting. 2:55 PM Feb 13th

Theme from today: Under-performers should be ready to try something new or lose funding. Focus is on outcomes. 2:38 PM Feb 13th

Every community needs an elected official who champion your efforts to end homelessness. Go start cultivating someone. Now. 2:26 PM Feb 13th

Now speaking: Richard Bloom from PATH in LA, ground zero for homelessness. He's also a city counselor. Interesting. 2:18 PM Feb 13th

Session now about building political will. Speaker talking about bottom-up approaches to making gov't pay attention. Check blog later 4 more. 2:08 PM Feb 13th

Remember: No one is free as long as others are oppressed. 1:55 PM Feb 13th

This place is BUZZING with excitement about the $1.5b in ESG funds for combatting homelessness approved by House today. 1:45 PM Feb 13th

Education about homelessness remains critical- lots of people say they "feel no sympathy for homeless people." 1:08 PM Feb 13th

Minnesota: Of 2,168 vacant apartments in Hennepin County, only four (yes, 4) are affordable to families at 30% of area median income. 10:08 AM Feb 13th

(that's shelter beds, btw! 10:06 AM Feb 13th

Entire state of Alaska only has capacity for 16 two-parent homeless families! Sixteen TOTAL! 10:05 AM Feb 13th

Longer shelter stay has no effect on reducing risk of repeated episodes of homelessness. Good case for rapid exit programs. 9:50 AM Feb 13th

Morning! Been taking copious notes throughout this morning session. All about dealing with increases in family homelessness. Check blog later... 9:08 AM Feb 13th

I like this: "Don't let funders dictate how you run your programs. You, the service provider, have the expertise. Push back." 5:58 PM Feb 12th

I could write a whole book called "Euphamisms in Homeless Services." 5:40 PM Feb 12th

Shelters should rethink waiting lists. Not every family who presents for shelter needs it. What other services could be provided? 5:36 PM Feb 12th

Funny to be with a group of folks who are working to put themselves out of work. 5:26 PM Feb 12th

"We must frame homelessness as the result of persistent poverty and the lack of affordable housing." Smart.
4:13 PM Feb 12th

A lunch panel about "change." How interesting and appropriate and Obama-riffic. 3:58 PM Feb 12th

When agencies assess homeless families, it should become through the lens of a landlord. Common sense, but not all that common! 3:01 PM Feb 12th

Homeless families and kids have substantially higher Medicaid costs than nonhomeless recipients. Not surprising but strengthens case for prevention. 2:37 PM Feb 12th

Show of hands: about 75 people in this workshop have a waiting list for their shelter. So where are those families staying now? 2:17 PM Feb 12th

Theme of the conference: the expected stimulus $ for homelessness can transform the way we tackle family homelessness. 2:03 PM Feb 12th

Massachusetts is being cited as a "model" for homelessness prevention in this research session. 1:58 PM Feb 12th

Nan Roman: "The crisis and stimulus gives us the chance for a systems change, the chance to move from shelters to prevention and diversion." 12:51 PM Feb 12th

I'll be live tweeting today from the National Conference on Ending Family Homelessness in sunny San Diego! Stay tuned... 12:26 PM Feb 12th