Providing housing for homeless helps them and taxpayers, speaker says

Debbie Kelley

Colorado Springs Gazette

Battered by exposure to the elements, alcohol abuse, street fights and inadequate health care, the chronic homeless have an average life expectancy of 41 to 47 years, compared with the national average of 77 years.

One solution, according to homeless advocates, is the concept of “housing as health care” – the idea that providing immediate housing for those without permanent residences can improve their quality of life and well-being while also reducing taxpayers’ costs.

Dr. Barbara Wismer, a physician and medical director for a homeless center in San Francisco, has seen the concept work firsthand. Known for its creative approaches to solving homelessness, San Francisco houses about 1,000 formerly homeless people in 23 sites that include rehabbed motels and apartment buildings.

The “permanent supportive housing” program first gets a roof over people’s heads, then addresses their physical and mental problems and links them up with case managers.

“Housing makes health and social services easier to deliver and improves access to health care,” said Wismer, a speaker at Monday’s “Conference on Homeless in the Pikes Peak Region.” “It also reduces their exposure to illnesses, allows for accurate diagnoses and daily dispensing of medications, and enables them to eat healthier.”

Colorado Springs has a similar program, Housing First…

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Catholic Charities USA to Provide Disaster Services Nationwide

Following its well-documented provision of disaster services in the aftermath of Katrina and last year’s Gustav and Ike, Catholic Charities USA has been selected by the government to provide disaster case management nationwide. It is the first-ever Federal contract for the 100 year old human service organization.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its Administration for Children and Families (ACF) section has awarded Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) a multi-year, multi-million dollar contract to prepare for and provide disaster case management operations throughout the United States and all its Territories. The contract, which spans a 5-year timeframe, was effective July 20. While it covers all types of disasters, the agreement is just in time to help ensure that the federal government and FEMA are prepared with case management resources for the ‘09 Hurricane season. Under the contract HHS can issue task orders to CCUSA for aid in connection with a specific disaster.

“We all hope and pray for zero disasters, but reality forces us to be prepared,” said Rev. Larry Snyder, President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA. “Our people, our agencies, and our partners have exceptional first-hand experience—not only from Katrina, Gustav and Ike—but from our every day work in serving those most devastated and most in need across the country. People know they can turn to Catholic Charities to get the job done. We thank the Department of Health and Human Services for their confidence in us.”

The expansive contract calls for CCUSA to organize national, regional and local teams and to work in partnership with these teams to help ensure disaster case management preparedness and delivery. Acting as General Contractor, CCUSA will pre-identify local/regional volunteers and sub-contractors, enter into agreement with them, provide training and experience in disaster case management, and be ready to deploy and implement anywhere in the country within 72 hours of a FEMA designated disaster.

The first task order issued under the contract will fund case management work relating to the aftermath of Gustav and Ike. Fr. Snyder, who became president of the organization in 2005 and almost immediately became involved in Katrina response as part of his start-up leadership, will take an active oversight role for the contract.

“It’s a very strong endorsement of who we are and what we do, and powerful recognition of the donors who support us and who we will now need to count on more than ever.” Fr. Snyder continued. “The contract funding is specifically for disaster case management operations, which handle individual and family needs long after the initial impact. It does not cover disaster response direct assistance, so we must continue to maintain and grow our donations to support that critical front.”

“It really is a tremendous opportunity for CCUSA,” added Fr. Snyder. “We are up to the task, and have the commitment and compassion to make sure we live up to the trust placed in us.” He further noted that Catholic Charities, which at approximately $4 billion is among the top five largest non-profit charities in the country, will reach out to its counterpart major organizations such as Red Cross, Salvation Army and others to communicate the contract and establish any mutual engagement opportunities.

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POPE URGES FORMING NEW WORLD ECONOMIC ORDER TO WORK FOR THE ‘COMMON GOOD’

VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI on Tuesday called for a radical rethinking of the global economy, criticizing a growing divide between rich and poor and urging the establishment of a “true world political authority” to oversee the economy and work for the “common good.”

He criticized the current economic system, “where the pernicious effects of sin are evident,” and urged financiers in particular to “rediscover the genuinely ethical foundation of their activity.”

 

He also called for “greater social responsibility” on the part of business. “Once profit becomes the exclusive goal, if it is produced by improper means and without the common good as its ultimate end, it risks destroying wealth and creating poverty,” Benedict wrote in his new encyclical, which the Vatican released on Tuesday. 

  

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