Homelessness is slowly becoming a frontline issue. In community after community, governments, businesses, non-profits and citizens are confronting homelessness and developing strategies for overcoming it.

In its June 14, 2002 newsletter, The National Alliance to End Homelessness reported "In New York City, The Supportive Housing Network of New York and over 150 co-sponsoring agencies recently released a newly expanded version of "The Blueprint to End Homelessness in New York City." The expanded Blueprint, which elaborates on a four-page outline released in 2001, provides concrete proposals designed to transform the City's current policies with the aim of reducing widespread homelessness in the city by half in five years, and ending it in ten."

New York's foresight is matched by that of Montgomery County, Maryland's Coalition for the Homeless, as well as The Philadelphia Committee to End Homelessness. And on the federal level, The Housing Affordability for America Act of 2002, H.R. 3995, passed the Financial Services Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives in this month. The bill will go to the House floor either later this month or after the August Congressional recess. Its plan calls for, among other important actions, a national goal to end homelessness in ten years.

Where is New Jersey's plan?

In a special five-part series that began Tuesday, July 16, National Public Radio (NPR) presented in-depth features on housing and homelessness on its afternoon news program, ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. The series will continue weekly on Tuesday afternoons through August 13, with extended coverage on housing and homelessness issues to follow. Made possible by a grant from the Melville Charitable Trust, the series is "part of the trust's continuing effort to raise public awareness of the scope and causes of the problem of homelessness in American society", said Trust Chair Frank Melville. If this is an issue that concerns you, tune in to your local NPR station and get more information. Then contact us with your ideas for ending homelessness in New Jersey.

There are many organizations in New Jersey immersed in the homelessness issue and working daily to keep lawmakers informed and concerned about this issue. The FAST FACTS page of our website provides links to some of them and, through those links, to even more. DACKKs is one of those organizations. But none of these organizations can do it alone. Each needs the support of a caring public who is willing to join with those already committed to ending homelessness. Join one and give it your support.

And in the meantime, the DACKKs Group steadily pursues its mission to expand the supply of affordable and decent housing for the homeless and special needs populations.

In May of this year, the Board of Directors established a goal to acquire one new property each year. Toward that end, the Board president is fast exploring potential grant sources. In June, we submitted a proposal to the Bergen County Division of Community Development to seek federal funding through Housing and Urban Development's McKinney-Vento program. Our project proposes the purchase of five units to house eight individuals or families in permanent supportive housing. Of the eleven proposals submitted, ours was ranked number one by the County for FY2002 Continuum of Care projects. HUD makes the initial funding decision later this year.

In the meantime, we are redirecting our attention to this year's acquisition goal, and planning the DACKKs Group's first fundraiser. The event - a wine and food tasting- is planned for September of this year. More information will become available soon so watch for updates.

Our tenant and her daughter continue to do well. Their success in stabilizing their lives provides us with the inspiration to duplicate it. Our fundraiser will help us raise the final amount we need to complete a purchase by year's end.

The DACKKs Group Board of Directors thanks you for the support you have given us this year. It is with assistance such as yours that we are able to continue in our efforts to expand the supply of affordable and decent housing for the homeless and special needs populations - one person at a time…because everyone should have a decent and affordable place to live.


July 2002