State Schools Superintendent Susan Castillo announced today that Oregon’s homeless student population for the 2004-05 school year was 11,294.  As astoundingly high Oregon’s reported numbers are, advocates for children point to significant undercounting/under reporting, with some districts submitting information after the official numbers had already been tabulated.

“This is a heartbreaking report that shows thousands of children in Oregon attend school despite lack of safe and stable living situations,” Castillo said.  “Homeless youths face huge challenges before they even get to the school door, and schools work hard to provide these students with what they need to ensure they can access the same educational opportunities available to every other student.”

The results of the homeless student count are listed below:

·       11,294 of  Oregon’s 552,320 K-12 students (2%) were homeless for some period of time during 2004-05

·       5,052 homeless students were enrolled in grades K-5

·       2,464 homeless students were enrolled in grades 6-8

·       3,778 homeless students were enrolled in grades 9-12

·       The greatest numbers of homeless students were 12^th graders (1,183)

·       1,622 homeless students were unaccompanied minors who had been abandoned by parents/run away from home

·       56% of homeless students in Oregon reported sharing housing with relatives or friends due to economic hardship or similar reason; 17% reported living in a homeless shelter; 9% reported being unsheltered; 5% reported living in motels; 13% were unknown

·       The homeless student count is a new requirement, and more than 70% of Oregon’s 198 school districts reported.  State officials believe the 2004-05 total to be an undercount of actual homeless students in the state, but officials expect that accuracy will improve with time.   

Homeless youths are defined as minors who lack fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.  A homeless family could live in an emergency shelter or share housing with others due to loss of housing or economic hardship, stay at motels, or live in cars, parks, public places, tents, trailers, or other similar settings.  The federal McKinney-Vento Act Homeless Education Program ensures that homeless children have equal access to the same education provided to other children.  Each school district is required to have a Homeless Liaison to coordinate outreach efforts and services for homeless students in their area.

Castillo credited the work of local homeless liaisons for compiling the count data and for providing services to homeless students that include school enrollment, extra tutoring and referrals for shelter, housing, health care and counseling services.

“Homeless liaisons are often unsung heroes who do a very important job in our schools,” Castillo said.  “They regularly provide clothing, school supplies and transportation for homeless and displaced students and families, even acting as emergency contacts at school for unaccompanied youths separated from their parents and guardians.”

Services for homeless students are provided by school districts with local funds, which may be supplemented by Title I funds, McKinney-Vento grants, and other federal funds.  Oregon received $640,532 in federal funds from the McKinney-Vento program in 2004-05.  Forty-four local districts were served by 23 subgrant projects last year, which together helped 7,878 homeless children and youths to attend public schools.  Applications for the next round of district grants will be available in the spring of 2006.  Many districts also receive donations from local businesses and nonprofit organizations to help provide resources for homeless students, such as transportation, tutoring, after-school programs, clothing, hygiene supplies and medical/dental care.

Estimates of homeless children and youth in Oregon used to be calculated using one-night count data provided by homeless shelters.  Under the requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind law, school districts (rather than shelters) are responsible for counting the number of homeless students and reporting that information to the state.  The state is required to file a report with the US Department of Education.

Real Estate Professionals Promote Real Estate Transfer Fee for Housing

Realtor® Erik Blender, from Real Estate Professionals Building Community, will join Nick Sauvie of ROSE Community Development, Susan Emmons of NW Pilot Project, Allison Handler of Portland Community Land Trust and community members Tasha Harmon and Eli Spevak at a press conference at 10:30 am on Thursday, Dec 15 to call for a statewide Real Estate Transfer Fee to fund Oregon’s housing needs. 

Real Estate Professionals Building Community is new group comprised of Realtors® who support an Oregon real estate transfer fee to fund Oregon’s housing needs.  Oregon affordable housing advocates have long sought after a real estate transfer fee, but state and local Realtor® Associations have successfully blocked the transfer fee in the Salem legislature for the past decade and a half. Blender will discuss why he and other real estate professionals believe that a transfer fee dedicated to funding housing need is right for Oregon.

The press conference will also feature Eli Spevak and Tasha Harmon, two Portland residents who upon recently selling their homes made ‘voluntary real estate transfer fee contributions’ to nonprofit community organizations that successfully house hardworking families, seniors and people with disabilities. Both Spevak and Harmon cite the huge financial gains they reaped as homeowners in Portland’s skyrocketing housing market, and decided to make ‘voluntary real estate transfer fee contributions’ as a way to give back to those who have been left out in the cold by the cost of housing.

Nick Sauvie, Susan Emmons, Allison Handler, representatives of three of the organizations that benefited from Spevak and Harmon’s donations, will talk about the impact that their programs have on the housing stability and personal success of the people who work with their respective organizations.

Sabin CDC, Microsoft To Unveil Community Computer Training Program Jan 19

On January 19^th, 2006, Sabin Community Development Corporation and Microsoft Corporation will introduce the new Microsoft Unlimited Potential community computer training program and a future Multimedia partnership with Portland Community College (PCC). Please join Sabin at PCC’s Cascade Campus from 6:00-8:00 pm to celebrate the introduction of this ground-breaking program and learn about the phenomenal educational opportunity this will provide our community. Light hors d’ oeuvres will be served. Catering by Vepadoe’s Deli – a new Alberta Street eatery.

Because of the stellar track record Sabin CDC has acquired introducing and fostering successful housing, economic empowerment, and computer technology education programs in North and Northeast Portland, Microsoft Corporation selected the agency to lead the charge in bringing this new educational software to the community level.

To facilitate this effort, Microsoft Corporation has bestowed two grants upon Sabin: $240,000 worth of training program software for the “Unlimited Potential” program, and $50,000 cash seed grant that Sabin will use for instructors, equipment and learning tools for the community.

As a result, area students, parents and community members will have free and convenient access to state-of-the-art multi-media and computer training tools at four neighborhood community training centers. These centers will provide a wide variety of computer training programs for people of all ages through self-tutorial programs and traditional training classes. On-site mentors will also be available to assist in the learning process.

The “Microsoft Unlimited Potential Program” curriculum will be able at these four community centers with central learning hubs at Jefferson High School and Portland Community College:

·       Sabin CDC Enrichment Center

·       Urban League Multicultural Sabin CDC Senior Center Computer Lab

·       Black United Fund Sabin CDC Micro-Enterprise Lab

·       Avenue Plaza Sabin CDC Adult Literacy Lab

Questions? Contact Craig Fondren, Economic Empowerment and Community Outreach Manger at 503-287-3496 ext.25

Robert Ridgway, the Construction Manager at Central City Concern, has been selected to receive the Spirit of Portland award.  On December 14, the Portland City Council will present Robert with the award in the City Hall Chambers at 2:00 pm.

The Spirit of Portland Awards are presented every year to individuals and groups whose contributions individually and collectively make a difference to the greater community.  Please nominate those who commit themselves to building a better and brighter Portland.

Robert has spent 26 years improving lives in Old Town/Chinatown, one building at a time. Robert is one of the most familiar, and admired, faces in Old Town because of his tireless work coming up with creative solutions to maintaining and repairing the neighborhood’s old buildings. Robert has been in charge of Central City Concern’s building maintenance crew since the nonprofit social services agency was founded in 1979, and has always gone above and beyond the call of duty. Robert’s behind-the-scenes labor has been a major factor in the success of dozens of Old Town buildings that today, are safe, clean, well maintained homes for their low income residents.

Robert was the second person hired by Central City Concern.

Spirit of Portland Award recipients are chosen based on the following four (4) criteria.  Recipients must exemplify a commitment to the community by:

1.      Assisting in the implementation of outstanding projects; AND

2.      Enriching and revitalizing our community and neighborhoods; AND

3.      Providing the community with a special service; AND

4.      Demonstrating responsiveness, creativity and civic values.

Sisters of The Road’s Genny Nelson Wins 2005 National Caring Award

Genny Nelson was been named one of the most caring people in America and honored with a 2005 National Caring Award.  She was inducted into the Caring Hall of Fame in Washington, D.C. on December 4, 2006.

Genny Nelson, who co-founded Sisters in 1979, was selected for the honor by The Caring Institute. The award honors the ten most caring men and women and five most caring young people in America as selected by a prestigious panel of judges each year. Past recipients include President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter; Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat for Humanity; and Mary Jo Copeland, founder and driving force behind Caring & Sharing Hands, an organization that provides food and clothing for the homeless. Every year the Caring Institute receives thousands of nominations of people worthy to receive a National Caring Award, from all over the country. 

Sisters Of The Road supports community driven solutions to the calamities of homelessness and poverty, in an atmosphere of gentle personalism and nonviolence.  Our Portland, Oregon café is open to everyone, serving low cost, hot, nutritious meals that can be purchased in a variety of ways, including with cash, food stamps, or in exchange for work. Sisters of the Road also provide job training, support to parents and children, and innovative solutions to the issues surrounding poverty and homelessness through self and community advocacy.

Sisters Of The Road is about changing hearts and minds-- by building cross-class community, addressing root causes, and creating systemic change that goes to the root of hunger and homelessness and ends it forever. 

Sisters Of The Road is profoundly about love.

On Tuesday, December 13, Mayor Tom Potter is holding a reception honoring Genny and her recognition as a 2005 National Caring Award Recipient.  The reception is open to the pblic and will be held in the Atrium at City Hall (1120 SW 5th Ave). Refreshments served.

For more information on the award, including pictures from the ceremony in Washington D.C. (coming soon), or to send Genny a congratulatory message, go to www.sistersoftheroad.org. 

The Community Housing Fund is making available $100,000 for predevelopment loans to support Washington County housing projects. Requests for loans of up to $25,000 per project are being solicited by the Fund.

Applicants may be non- or for- profit organizations so long as the target populations are served.

Applications will be accepted by the Fund until 5PM January 6, 2006 at 3700 SW Murray Blvd., Suite 190, Beaverton, Oregon, 97005. Applications postmarked on the 6^th are acceptable. Decisions on applications will occur later in January. Please provide an original and four (4) copies.

Terms: Simple interest at 3%, unsecured, payable at acquisition and/or construction closing (in no event later than 18 months from agreement). Maximum award of $25,000 per application.

Eligible activities: Feasibility analysis and/or site control costs. Rentals must serve 60% of MFI or below- homeownership at 80% or below. Priority will be given to:

1) permanent housing projects;

2) rental projects providing some units at 30% or below MFI; or

3) homeownership projects that create housing for households with incomes below 80% MFI.

How: Applicants must provide:

·       Brief project narrative

·       A predevelopment budget and timeline

·       An operating budget for the proposed project

·       A sources and uses spreadsheet

·       Description of the sponsoring agency and demonstration of its development capacity, including 501c3 status if applicable

·       Organizational financials for the sponsoring agency

Decision-making process: A review team of CHF board members and outside evaluators will consider the applications received. The Committee at its discretion may schedule interviews.

Awards: Successful applicants will receive a commitment letter and, when accepted by both parties, a loan agreement and promissory note within 30 days of signing the commitment letter. Disbursements will be made by the Fund to project sponsors based on receipt of invoices or statements for work performed per the project budget.

Questions? Contact Ramsay Weit at polwonks@comcast.net.

PDC announced earlier this week that they have hired Leah Greenwood as the Housing Policy Manager.  Leah has worked at PDC for over 6 years. For the past year, she has served as the Interim Housing Policy Manager.  Leah was one of several qualified candidates identified from a broad recruitment.  

“I am thrilled that Leah will be in the position on a permanent basis,” said Andy Wilch, PDC Housing Director  “Leah is a very capable, skilled, committed and all around nice person with a thorough understanding of housing policy issues at the local, regional and national level. 

Leah will serve on the Housing Management Team along with Tod Burton, Shelly Haack, Komi Kalevor and Wilch.

Warm Oregon Website Offers Advice, Assistance to Help Keep Heating Costs Down

The federal government expects this winter’s natural gas heating costs to be 41 percent higher than last year’s and the average bill to be $173/month, or 19.4 percent of the income from a full-time, minimum wage job.

The Warm Oregon website http://www.warmoregon.org/ is dedicated to helping Oregonians keep warm while saving money and energy. This website has information about weatherization, saving energy and other resources to find help for you and your family and to find out how you can assist others in staying warm this winter. 

Project Homeless Connect: A Day to Reach Out, A Day to Learn on Jan 17

A Day to Reach Out: On Tuesday, January 17, 2006, hundreds of volunteers and community groups will gather at the Memorial Coliseum to launch Project Homeless Connect, connecting Portland's homeless community with much-needed medical, dental, legal, addiction, and housing-counseling services. Help will be provided by professionals volunteering their services on-site, as well as other community volunteers who want to lend a hand - this is where you come in!

A Day to Learn: Project Homeless Connect harnesses the energy and compassion of volunteers to offer care to the more than 2,300 homeless people who sleep on Portland's streets on any given night.  You will have a chance to learn about the causes of homelessness and how to support our many great local organizations that help the homeless all year.

A Day for New Beginnings: Project Homeless Connect began a year ago in San Francisco and now thousands of volunteers engage six times a year to help thousands of homeless clients achieve self sufficiency.  The city has seen a dramatic drop in the number of homeless thanks to the human connections made and the new community focus on finding resources for housing.  While Portland and Multnomah County are working together on a 10-year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness, Project Homeless Connect makes you a key part of the solution. 

Will You Be Part Of This Day?

Project Homeless Connect can make real change in the lives of people who need help.  But nothing will change without you.  Volunteers are needed - both individuals and companies - as well as donations of in kind resources, expertise and money. You can make the difference in another person's life by donating or volunteering to help!

For more information, visit: www.portlandhomelessconnect.com

To sign up to volunteer, visit: www.portlandhomelessconnect.com/volunteer.html

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