Fwd: Re: suggestion / question
Coalition on Homelessness, SF (coh@sfo.com)
Sun, 12 Dec 1999 13:03:51 -0800
>Date: Sun, 12 Dec 1999 12:08:26 -0800
>To: "Rivaud"
>From: "Coalition on Homelessness, SF" <coh@sfo.com>
>Subject: Re: suggestion / question
>Cc:
>Bcc:
>X-Attachments:
>
>Hey Rivaud-
>
>Part of the current federal funding structure for homeless programs
>and services - HUD's "Continuum of Care" - mandates implementation
>of internet-based referral to permit homeless people to access
>services on-line. Unfortunately, it also calls for a "tracking"
>database system that would identify persons using any federally
>funded homeless program or service on a regional basis. The
>potential for abusing such a tracking system say, to deny someone
>access to a shelter in Oakland because the person had been kicked
>out of a shelter in San Francisco for a fight - not to mention if
>law-enforcement agencies could view the database - paints a pretty
>scary picture.
>
>The good news, if there is good news here, is that they've been
>dragging their feet on implementing either computer system because
>HUD's budget keeps getting whittled away. There's also the point to
>be made that none of the millions of dollars these systems will cost
>to bring on-line will actually be providing more shelter or services
>to even one homeless person.
>
>In San Francisco, the best local on-line information and referral
>resource we have is:
>
>http://www.helplink-sf.org/Public/search.cfm
>
>The category that homeless programs and services would be under is
>"emergency services" - just use keywords like "shelter" or "food."
>I'm not sure where you're emailing us from, but I hope this helps.
>
>Peace,
>
>chance martin
>Coalition on Homelessness, San Francisco
>>There are public libraries with WWW access. It would be helpful to be able
>>to access a list of resources for homeless people via the WWW. I'm trying to
>>find out how a homeless person can get Medicaid coverage and am finding no
>>help. The bureaucratic maze is huge. I can't find an online source for
>>information about applying for any benefits, finding a meal, getting hooked
>>up with medical care.
>>
>>If there was a list somewhere that said, "Go to ____ for help with ____ ." I
>>see all this stuff on line and I still can't find out how to get medical
>>coverage, a meal, or a person to help me.
>>
>>No, I don't have a phone. I'm at a public access computer writing from an
>>account someone else paid for. Ironic that a homeless person can more easily
>>get on the internet than get medical care.
>>
>>
>>Rivaud
Coalition on Homelessness, San Francisco
468 Turk St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
vox: (415) 346.3740
Fax: (415) 775.5639
coh@sfo.com
http://www.sfo.com/~coh