NPACH Executive Director Speaks at COSCDA/NCSHA Conference
National Groups Hear Current Trends, Direction of Federal Policy
WASHINGTON, January 12, 2004 - NPACH Executive Director Dr. Brad Paul presented on current trends and direction of federal homelessness policy as part of the Council of State Community Development Agencies (COSCDA) and National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA) Homelessness and HOMEstrengths workshops held in Washington, DC, January 12-15. COSCDA supports the interest of states, with major emphasis on affordable housing and community and local economic development, while NCSHA represents Housing Finance Agencies in Washington before Congress, the Administration, and several federal agencies concerned with housing. Paul discussed HUD McKinney-Vento funding and reauthorization, the structure of the Continuum of Care planning process, and the challenges communities are increasingly facing in attempting to satisfy grant requirements under the Administration’s “chronic” homelessness initiative. Paul pointed out that several critical homelessness assistance programs, particularly in smaller and rural communities, had lost funding in the last round of HUD grants. Throughout the day of workshops, participants heard from NPACH and other national housing and homelessness groups as well as Congressional staff in forecasting the 2004 legislative agenda.