CEO Corner:
Week of August 4

I am penning this week’s edition of our CEO Corner while our leader, Ann Oliva, takes some hard-earned time away. At the Alliance, we recognize how important it is to rest and to have the opportunity to unplug, even when it feels like everything is happening all at once. We encourage you to do the same: allow yourself to be off when you are off and respect your colleagues’ time off when they are away.

Here’s what’s on the Alliance’s radar this week.

Department of Justice Guidance

Last week, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued guidance for recipients of federal funding regarding “unlawful discrimination,” explicitly targeting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) “programs.”

The memo includes a “non-exhaustive” list of practices that DOJ classifies as unlawful, and which could result in the “revocation” of federal grant funds. This list includes a several examples of what the DOJ considers “unlawful discriminatory policies and practices” related to a range of categories.

This guidance signals an aggressive enforcement approach toward any initiative that is viewed as relying on protected characteristics.

But it is important to note: federal laws have not changed. Communities must continue to comply with both the Fair Housing and Americans with Disabilities Acts.

The memo is written in a way to instill fear, and force organizations to universally abandon efforts to increase diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging. We must continue efforts to ensure fairness in our systems, access to opportunity, inclusion in decision-making, and adequate representation for all individuals.

This guidance is sweeping and intimidating, but, like much of the guidance that has come out of this administration, the Alliance urges you to take a look at our previous insights on navigating anti-DEIA efforts and ongoing risks. Please consult with legal counsel before taking any action.

Closing of the SOAR TA Center

Through increased access to Social Security disability benefits, SI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) helps states and communities end homelessness for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbance.

SAMHSA recently announced that funding for the SOAR Technical Assistance (TA) Center will be discontinued on August 18.

Since 2009, the SOAR TA Center—funded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) – has coordinated the implementation of state and local-level SOAR programs at no cost to the communities it serves. 

The impact of the SOAR TA Center has been significant: it has increased the support for people with serious mental illness to successfully receive SSI/SSDI benefits, enabling these individuals to access stable housing, gain mental health and substance abuse treatment, and pursue their vocational goals.

Here are a few steps providers can take to prepare for the SOAR TA Center’s closing.

Legislative Update

The Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream (ROAD) to Housing Act was recently approved by the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee with full bipartisan support. This is the Senate committee that works most on legislation specifically related to housing and homelessness.

This is the first significant federal housing legislation being seriously considered by Congress in almost a decade. This bipartisan housing package proposes reforms to a broad array of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs (including Homeless Assistance Grants programs) that would largely reduce administrative burdens and increase access to resources.

And while it has some limitations, the Alliance has endorsed this legislation because it is the result of a genuine bipartisan effort to generate more affordable housing through low-cost (and even no-cost) fixes to housing and homelessness programs.

The Alliance wants to extend its thanks to Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott (R-SC), who led the effort to craft the ROAD to Housing Act; Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren (D-MA); as well as the other twelve Republican and ten Democratic Senators on the committee for finding a path to common ground.  

Lawsuit Updates: Public Benefits and Federal Grant Agreements

The Alliance is tracking several lawsuits making their way through the courts. A few weeks back, we shared that a coalition of 21 state attorney generals filed a suit to block the recent multi-agency federal restrictions on public benefits. The federal government has agreed to stay on any enforcement or application of the proposed changes in the plaintiff states until September 3.

Additionally, we shared a coalition-led lawsuit to challenge conditions placed on federal grant agreements that target diversity, equity, inclusion, and transgender rights. A federal judge granted a temporary restraining order for plaintiffs in this case.

Operating in an Uncertain Environment

Many of us here at the Alliance have been working to end homelessness for more than two decades. The policy proposals and actions coming out of this administration—and especially the recent Executive Order on homelessness—are by far the most dangerous and harmful that we have ever seen.

Like everyone, we too are learning how to navigate these uncertainties while holding firmly to our values and principles. We take very seriously the trust that the field has in the Alliance to fight on your behalf. Sometimes this means standing out in front, and at other times, it means working behind the scenes. We remain steadfast in our commitment to people experiencing homelessness and those who join in this fight alongside us.

To be our best selves in the fight for people experiencing homelessness, we must take care of ourselves and each other. Be someone’s glimmer today.

Sending light and love,

Mary Frances