Actions Panel
New England Regional Forum to End Veterans Homelessness
Date and time
Location
Tip O'Neill Federal Building
10 Causeway Street Auditorium - 1st floor Boston, MA 02222Description
You are cordially invited to attend a roundtable discussion on Tuesday, April 14, 2015, on the Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness – a collaborative effort being led by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
The forum will feature panel discussions and brainstorming sessions with presentations from housing experts on topics ranging from building coalitions and local partnerships to available resources and supportive services — all to help you develop local strategies to end veteran homelessness in your community.
On June 4, 2014 First Lady Michelle Obama announced the creation of the Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness by the end of 2015. Nationally, 256 officials have pledged their support, with elevn making their commitment in the New England region.
Thank you to those who have already made the commitment, and I look forward to welcoming new partners who will attend to learn more about this effort.
The success of ending chronic homelessness among veterans in Salt Lake City, Phoenix, and New Orleans have raised the profile of ending veteran homelessness, and prove that it is an achievable goal with buy-in from local officials and community partners.
Working in close partnership with local officials, we have seen a 33 percent decline in veteran homelessness nationwide, but there’s more to do. According to HUD’s 2014 point-in-time count data, 2,110 veterans are without a place to call home in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. So, please join us and other communities throughout the region in HUD’s Boston Regional Office.
New England Regional Forum to End Veterans Homelessness
April 14, 2015
9:30-9:35 Welcome - A Message from HUD Secretary Julian Castro (video)
Kristine Foye, HUD New England Acting Regional Administrator
9:35-9:45 The Honorable Mayor Setti Warren
Mayor, Newton, Massachusetts
9:45-9:55 Your Leadership Role in Ending Veteran Homelessness
Elisha Harig-Blaine, Principle Housing Associate (Veterans and Special Needs), NLC
9:55-10:05 Regional Overview on Veteran Homelessness
Bob Shumeyko, Chair of New England Regional Interagency Council on Homelessness
10:05-10:50 Panel: Cultivating a Meaningful Partnership, HUD, VA & CT Partners
Moderator: Suzanne Piacentini, Connecticut Field Office Director, HUD
Dr. Laurie Harkness, Director, Errera Community Care Center, VA
Maureen Pasko, LCSW, Director of Homeless Programs, VA Connecticut Healthcare
Mike Santoro, CT Department of Housing (DOH)
Steve Dilella, CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
John Counter, Executive Director, West Haven Housing Authority
Elizabeth McManus, Director of Leased Housing , West Haven Housing Authority
Lisa Tepper Bates, CT Coalition to End Homelessness
10:50-11:20 Panel: Federal Resource Partners
Moderator: Peter Kelleher, Harbor Homes
Bob Shumeyko, Director, Office of Community Planning and Development (HUD)
Maura O’Brien, Office of Public and Indian Housing (HUD)
Shara Katsos, Deputy Network Homeless Coordinator VISN (VA)
Kathryn Power, SAMHSA Regional Administrator (HHS)
Dana Bourne, Regional Administrator for Veterans’ Employment &Training Services (DOL)
11:20-12:00 Panel: Local Examples of Coordination & Best Practices
Moderator: Liz Rogers, Father Bill’s and Mainspring
Secretary Francisco Ureña, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Elizabeth Doyle, Director of Supportive Housing - Department of Neighborhood Dev, Boston
Andrew McCawley, President & CEO New England Center for Homeless Veterans
Brenda Cassidy, Director of Housing Support Services, Pine Street Inn
12:00-12:15 Innovative Housing Solutions
Thomas Pilhcik, Massachusetts New Lease Program
12:15-12:30 Looking Ahead, Zero:2016
Jim Ryczek , Executive Director, Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless