THN researching information management systems

THN is beginning research on homeless management information systems, and needs your help to identify systems presently in operation. Your input would be greatly appreciated, no matter how basic your community’s system. Please contact Billy Menz at (800) 531-0828 or bmenz@swbell.net.

Continuum of Care presentation available online

Ann O’Hara’s presentation on “How to Be a Player in the Continuum of Care” is now available in streaming audio on the PATH website. This presentation was given February 6th on a PATH teleconference call and was designed to assist you in fully participating in your local Continuum of Care process. Applications for HUD McKinney funding are due May 31. Written transcripts of the presentation should be available shortly.

In order to listen to the presentation using streaming audio, you will need a sound card in your computer, speakers or headphones and Real Player, which can be downloaded from a link next to the streaming audio link on the PATH website.

PATH is very interested in knowing what you and your providers think of the streaming audio format if you are able to access it and if you ound it useful. A short evaluation form will appear when you click on the link to the streaming audio presentation. They ask that you take a few minutes to complete it. If you are unable to access the streaming audio presentation or don’t find it useful, they would like to know that also. Either send an email to that effect or complete the evaluation form on the website.

New Features on United Way’s website

Visit United Way's Web Site to explore the following new features:

1. Help In Transition, a new directory of community resources targeted to individuals and families that have been impacted by the recent layoffs at many companies. This directory can be downloaded from their website and/or reviewed online. Please share this information with individuals/organizations that could benefit from this directory.
2. The second feature is the online availability of the recently completed summary of the Aging Services Environmental Scan. The full report is of course available on CAN’s website, but we have provided the summary report in a PDF file as well. Both the full and summary reports highlight the needs and priority issues affecting our older adult population.

Medical benefits seminar

Medical Benefits in Texas: Passing the Means Test, a seminar to explore benefits available for low income and disabled individuals, will be held in Austin’s Holiday Inn South on May 14. The seminar will address community care programs and the differences between acute care Medicaid and long term care Medicaid. For more information, call (715) 836-9900.

LIHTC update

The Public Hearing Schedule for the 2001 Applications will be available on the web site for Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC). Applications are listed under the Announcements section. LIHTC will be hosting hearings in four metropolitan areas and three rural areas across the state.

The Application receipt to be used with the 2001 Application submission has been revised and is now available online. If you have any questions, contact Brooke Boston at (512) 475-3296.

Living wage initiative launched in Austin

On April 16th, House the Homeless, Inc. of Austin kicked off a four-year, nationwide Universal Living Wage Campaign intended to organize advocates all across America in support of this concept.

UniversalLivingWage.org is an interactive website that includes a petition to replace the one-size-fits-all $5.15 federal minimum wage with a formula. The ULW formula provides a wage that is indexed to the local cost of housing so that if a person is willing/ able to work a 40 hour week, they will be paid enough toafford housing. According to the formula, which utilizes existing government guidelines, it takes a wage of $9.79 per hour to maintain an efficiency apartment in Austin and $11.83 to maintain a one bedroom apartment