We continue to monitor the progress of McKinney-Vento as it makes its way through the Congressional approval process. Congress is recessed for its August vacation, but our strong advocacy goes on. 

CSH wholeheartedly supports a 30% set-aside of dollars to fund supportive housing.  Many in Congress agree with us.  It is the establishment of a stable affordable home with support services that does so much to break the cycle of homelessness. 

In order to really address the issues surrounding homelessness, we must recognize and accept the fact that more affordable housing is necessary throughout the United States.  The 30% set-aside goes a long way toward encouraging local communities to consider the need to create more affordable homes. 

Emergency housing for the homeless is necessary too.  Emergency and transitional housing must be part of any successful and comprehensive local plan to assist homeless persons.  The version of McKinney-Vento we support includes considerable funding for emergency and transitional programs. 

Local communities are still able to initiate emergency responses, provide critical services and assure transitional and permanent housing for a range of people who are homeless.  But in order to break the cycle of homelessness and thoroughly address chronic homelessness, more permanent affordable housing must be available to our most vulnerable citizens and the population at large.  Emergency care can be the beginning of healing, but permanent affordable housing with support services is the best way to end the nightmare of homelessness once and for all.

-- Deborah DeSantis, President and CEO, Corporation for Supportive Housing