CSBG-DCL-2023-14 CAM Partnering in Addressing Housing Instability FY 2023

Community Services Block Grant

Dear Colleague Letter

DCL#: CSBG-DCL-2023-14

DATE: May 30, 2023

TO: Community Action Network

SUBJECT: Community Action Month 2023: Partnering in Addressing Housing Instability

ATTACHMENT(S): N/A

Dear Colleague,

Homelessness has been on the rise since 2016. The Point-in-Time estimate completed in January of 2022 counted roughly 582,500 people experiencing homelessness across the United States,^[1] while more than 1.2 million people experience homelessness over the course of a year.^[2] Homelessness continues to disproportionately impact communities of color with an overrepresentation of people who identify as African American and American Indian, Alaska Native, or Indigenous. The Point-In-Time estimate showed that people who identify as Black, African American, or African compromised 37.3% of all people experiencing homelessness yet only 12.4% of the total U.S. population, and people who identify as American Indian, Alaska Native or Indigenous compromised 3.4% of all people experiencing homelessness yet only 1.2% of the total U.S. population.^[3]

As the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Human Services Policy (HSP ) in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), I am honored to amplify the essential role the Community Action Network, with the support of the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), plays in increasing housing stability across the United States. The Community Action Network is integral to the provision of services such as housing payment assistance, eviction prevention services, utility payment assistance, support in accessing safe temporary, transitional or permanent shelter, and wrap-around services such as case management. I am also proud of the Office of Community Services’ (OCS) diligent efforts to promote primary prevention and create smart policies to address housing instability among other essential social needs, such as using CSBG funds for mortgage payment assistance.

At HHS, we know that homelessness is preventable, and, through cross-system and cross-sector collaboration, we can continue to support communities across the country in addressing the housing crisis and ultimately ensuring everyone has access to safe and affordable homes. For this reason, I am proud to highlight the following examples of the essential work that CSBG grant recipients and Community Action Agencies are doing to address the causes and consequences of poverty and to pursue housing stability and access for all. For example:

• Utah Community Action has utilized CSBG funds to adjust services to address the growing need for housing stability following the COVID-19 pandemic. Through a new intake call center, extended case management services, and the Landlord-Tenant Mediation program, UCA played an integral role in helping community members access safe housing and remain in their homes.
• East Missouri Action Agency leveraged CSBG and Community Economic Development (CED) funding to address the need for affordable housing and increase access to higher-paying jobs for individuals with low incomes. The agency utilized a CED grant to open a construction company that builds or revitalizes affordable housing while also providing jobs, training, and wrap around services for low-income individuals seeking employment.

Earlier this year, the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) released All in: The Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness with the short-term goal to reduce overall homelessness by 25% by 2025, and the long-term goal for all people to have access to safe and affordable housing. All In is a multi-year roadmap for federal action that enhances multi-sector partnerships and supports state and local communities in accessing the resources and guidance needed to prevent homelessness and to address the systemic racism that leads to racial and ethnic disparities in access to housing. I am grateful we can continue to count on this Network to be all in.

OCS’ theme this year for Community Action Month is “We See You: Partnering Across the Community Action Network to Advance Equity.” I hope you felt seen as leaders across HHS eagerly awaited their turn to highlight the immense amount of work the Community Action Network is engaged in that ensures individual and community level well-being. I look forward to collaborating with the Community Action Network as it adapts to the changing landscape and continues to focus efforts on keeping individuals and families housed and safe.

Be sure to access the Community Action Month page available on the OCS website and connect with us on Twitter @HHS_ASPE and @OCS_ACFgov . Happy Community Action Month!

Sincerely,

/s/
Miranda Lynch-Smith
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Human Services Policy
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation