C-O-L-L-A-B-O-R-A-T-I-O-N

Slow moving Bureaucracy

Regulation Geek – 24 CFR 91 – Consolidated Planning – Subpart - b Citizen participation Municipalities requesting hud money shall consult with community partners in a meaningful way Partners include agencies that provide housing, social, health and fair housing services Provide a homeless strategy “the citizen participation plan is a pathway for all citizens to exercise their voice and influence decisions that affect their communities, neighborhoods and way of life.”

Competition heats Up 2015 CoC NOFA was the most competitive in the history of the program Nationally, Some Programs that were renewed time & time again did not receive renewal funding. For the first time, our adage of “there areis no guarantees” happened. Transitional housing and supportive services only programs did not fare well nationally Some cocs lost millions of dollars from their annual renewal demand (ard)

Homeless emergency assistance & rapid transition to housing act (Hearth act) Amended the mckinney-vento homeless assistance act Changed the way we do business Structure of the coc is now codified Coc responsibilities outlined Recognition that this is hard work and planning grants are implemented

Nofa – participative planning & implementation Message here is for cocs to adopt a public decision making and meaningful participation throughout the visioning, development and implementation of project funds Points awarded for to cocs with open invitations to solicit and consider opinions from individuals and organizations with knowledge of homelessness Points awarded for coordinating with phas

Lessons learned over the years Spirit of collaboration Cannot succeed in ending homelessness without partnerships Breakdown silos and fiefdoms and work together Traditional and non-traditional partners need to be at the table Engage the citizenry Get people to public hearings and neighborhood meetings Don’t try the same old methods that don’t work

Buzz words Transparency Engagement Informed citizenry Holistic approach Talk the talk – but let’s walk the walk Teachable moments

Quotes of the day “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” ― Margaret Mead oldie but goodie

“At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by "I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in.” ― Mother Teresa