107th US Congress
US Codes Passed By US Congress
Operational Audits a 15 year survey of social services and
indigent health care authorized by the Western and Southern states was deferred to the 107th US Congress which assisted
in creation of Title 42 USC 11301 Homeless Act;
Title 7 USC 2011
Food Stamps; Community Service Block Grants;
and Welfare Reform Act of 1996
Interstate Studies and Agreements
California, Oregon, Washington Interstate Studies Agreement: I-5 Corridor
In 1986 I worked in conjuction with business, civic, and social groups in Seattle who helped reform Washington State's DSHS-GAU program and input ideas into the Office of Congressman Mike Lowry. Congressman Mike Lowry went on to co-sponsor the Stewart Mc Kinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1987. The exchange of information between cities and states began in earnst in 1987.
In 1987 Mr. James Harris of Oregon's homeless program in the Department of Community Services proposed the construction of the I-5 Corridor interstate network between San Diego, CA and Seattle, WA. Governor Neil Goldschmidt of Oregon, Governor Dukemejian of California assigned Chrisine D. Reed and Washington State appointed DSHS Secretary Jules Sugarman and many others agreed to participate in the construction of the I-5 network. I was asked to do the field work for this networking program which continues as of July, 1994.
Not long after 1987 Governor Bamburger of Utah, the Govenor of Colorado, Governor of New Mexico, portions of Nevada, InterAgency Council on Homeless, Governor of Florida, and General Willie Scott of Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs and other joined the program and made CHAPS a national directory in 14 states.
The networking activity was origionally a small published list of homeless shelters and contacts. In 1988 we recieved a national news article in
Seattle Post Intelligencer. CHAPS publications influenced national legislation in CSBG, Food Stamps, and other area. CHAPS became a
computerized directory service about 1991 and expands at the request of those using the system.
Chris Walters Author,
Introduction By Oregon State
Proposal by Oregon State
Among those working with the homeless in the western States of California, Oregon, and Washington there is a growing awarenessness that many thousands of the homeless migrate along the I-5 Corridor on a regular basis as well as seasonally with weather changes. These major migrations have an impact on all the cities both on the corridor and near the highway.
Most of the cities,states, groups, and individuals on this list have expressed an interest in exchanging information and ideas on the homeless
issue with others to gain an understanding of the homeless movements, expansion of networks and computer systems, consider new ideas, and
approaches to problems and possible eventually to formulate regional policy.Of particular interest is the new Handsnet Computer Information sharing system operated by CAL-NEVA (California Homeless and Housing Coalition) . The California Homeless Coalition has expressed an interest in extending the system into other states for information sharing
(Kay Knepprath 1987)
Also included in the list are city by city information on emergency shelters serving male transient populations where possible showing shelter capability, bed capability, feeding information, and the ability to return homeless to work. Of the at least 150 emergency shelters in the region of 5 western states it is estimated that only 10% currently have the ability to assist the home less to return to work at this time. Most shelters have stay time too short to support work among the male homeless; typically 3 to 5 days per month. It is also important that information on shelters are primarily estimated and more specific information can be gotten from the shelters by writting or calling. It is hoped you will use this list to contact other taskforces, groups, and individuals and exhange information and ideas with them.
By Chris Walters
Suggested by: Mr. James Harris (retired) Oregon Community Services
InterAgency Council on The Homeless
Executive Director
451 Seventh Street., S.W., Suite 10158,
Washington, D.C. 20410
(202-755-1480)
December 19th, 1988 Mr. Chris Walters c/o 722 I Street Modesto, CA 95354 Dear Mr. Walters:
On behalf of Samuel R. Pierce, Jr., Secretary of Housing and
Urban Development, I would like to thank you for your I-5
Homeless Corridor survey and directory shelter list for
California, Oregon, and Washington. The shelter providers
listed will be added to our mailing list for newsletters and
other informative materials.
The I-5 legislative recommendations were also most interesting.
I am sorry that you had such difficult in locating our office.
The Council was established by the McKinney Act in July,
1987, and among its other activities, has initiated a news
letter and established a field network.
For further action, Robert C. Scalia, Region X's Coordinator
for homeless programs, is being sent copies of the materials
you sent us. Mr. Scalis can be reached in the Department of
Housing and Urban Development's Seattle Office at (206-442-4610).
He would like to meet with you when you are in the Seattle area.
I am sure that you will find him not only informed, but deeply
concerned with the problem.
Sincerely
Cassandra C. Moore PH.D.
Executive Director
451 Seventh Street., S.W., Suite 10158,
Washington, D.C. 20410
202-755-1480)
Lt. Governor Bob Bullock
BOB BULLOCK
Lieutenant Governor of Texas
The Capitol
Austin, Texas 78711-2068
(512-463-0001)
August 14, 1991
Chris Walters c/o
Christian Center of Salem
Salem, Oregon
Dear
Thank you for the emergency resource list for homeless shelters and
systems for the western United States.
I am giving this information to my special assistant DeAnn Friedholm,
who handles this. If you have any questions, please don't hestitate to
contact De Ann at 512/463-0010.
Again, I appreciate your interest and thank you for providing me with
this information.
Sincerely,
Biggest Signature You Ever Saw
BOB BULLOCK
Lieutenant Governor
BB: dft
cc: DeAnn Friedholm
Governor of Washington State
State of Washington
Office Of The Governor/Elect
Olympia 98504-1001
MIKE LOWRY
Governor/Elect
Janurary 5, 1993
Mr. Chris Walters
c/o 325 - 13th St., Room 205
Salem, Oregon 97301
Dear Chris:
Thank you for your recent advice. I greatly appreciate information from
all sources. In this time of growing polarization, I wante to bring
people and ideas together from all sides, to find solutions that will
work for everyone.
I've put together several transition teams to deal with a wide range of
issues, including your area of concern. I've sent your information to
that team. If they need further information, or have a question regarding
your information, they will be contacting you.
Thanks again for your thoughts. I know that by working together, we can
made Washington State a leader in economic growth, natural resource
preservation, education, health care, and all other issues of concern
to our citizens.
Sincerely,signed
Mike Lowry
Mayor of City of Medford
Office of The Mayor CITY OF MEDFORD
Telephone (503-770-4432 411 West 8th Street
Fax (503-770-4444) Medford, Oregon 97501
December 9, 1993
Mr. Chris Walters
PO Box 1475
Rockport, TX 78381
Dear Chris:
Thank you for the article on homeless shelters. The information was
excellent and it's interesting to learn how some communities have
found a way to provide a service so urgently needed in an economical
way. I have taken the liberty of sending a copy of the article to the
Major of the Medford Salvation Army for his review.
Again, thanks for the information. Best wishes for a happy holiday
season.
Los Angeles County
Department of Social Services
3401 Rio Hondo Avenue, Elmonte, California 91731 TEL (818-572-5720) PO BOX 5493, MAY 1, 1992
Mr. Chris Walters
c/o
Dear Mr. Walters:
This is in response to the material I received from Supervisor
Antonovich on your Computerized Homeless Assistance Programs
Systems (CHAPS).
I appreciate receiving the information you provided. However, we
currently have voucher issuance and tracking system in operation
in my department for the General Relief (GR) Program. This application
is mainframe based and collects data from the 14 GR District Offices.
This system was developed and is maintained by my staff. Therefore,
we do not purchase customized software for development of a system.
If our need changes we will contact you. I have instructed my staff
and the County Data Processing Department to add your name to our list
of vendors that receive request for proposals and statements of work.
Once again, thank you for the information you provided. I am always
looking for innovative ideas.
City of Las Vegas
The City of Las Vegas
City Hall
400 East Stewart Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 90101
City Manager William J Noonan
December 10TH, 1991
Mr. Chris Walters
Salem, Oregon 97301
RE: Interstate Homeless Shelter Directory
Dear Mr. Walters:
I am returning the interstate homeless directory. Thank you for
sending me same. Your help in this matter was greatly appreciates.
If you should have any further question, please call me at (702-229-7462)
Sincerely,
Virginia Hernandez,
Development Officer
Urban Development
VH:SAW
VH: Interstate Enclosures
State of Nevada
Bob Miller Governor
State Of Nevada
Department of Human Resources
Welfare Division
2527 North Carson Street
Carson City, Nevada 89710
(702-687-4770)
Director Jerry Gripentrog
Linda A Ryan Administrator
September 5, 1991
Chris Walters
c/o Christian Center of Salem
Salem, Oregon
Dear Mr. Walters:
We recieved your request for updated information for the
emergency and social services western US directory. Linda
A Ryan, Nevada State Welfare Division Administrator remains
the homeless coordinator for the State of Arizona.
A copy of your letter was also forwarded to Mr. Bill Cottrell,
Southern Nevada Homeless Task Force President and he reported
no changes at this time.
If we can be of futher assistance or if you require additional
information, please call Anthoula Sullivan, Nevada State Welfare
Program Specialist, at (702-687-4715)
Sincerely,
Signed Jackie Cheney, Chief
Eligibility & Payments
JC/AS/GML7.9
Washington State DSHS
Jules M. Sugarman
Secretary
State of Washington Department of Social and Health Services Olympia, WA 98504-0095
November 18th, 1987 Mr. Chris Walters c/o 722 I Street Modesto, CA 95354 Dear Mr. Walters:
Secretary Sugarman has asked me to respond to your recent letter
regarding the homeless. The Department will be pleased to help
in any way.
Services to the homeless are provided under some of the Departments
Programs. However, in the State of Washington, federal funds for
the homeless are administered by the Department of Community
Development. The contact person at Community Development is
Katherine Freidt. Ms. Freidt's Address is Department of Community
Development, Mail Stop GH-51, Ninth and Columbia Building, Olympia,
Washington 98504. If I can provide anything further, please let me
know.
Sincerely, Gerald J. Reilly Assistant Secretary Economic and Medical Services cc. Jules M Sugarman Katherine Friedt
State of Washington
Department of Community Development
Divison For Community Services
Ninth & Columbia Building MS/GH-51
Olympia, Washington 98504-4151
(206-753-4983)
December 7, 1987
Mr. Chris Walters
722 1/2 Thirteenth Street
Modesto, California 95354
Dear Mr. Walters:
Thank you for the information which you send about groups and
individuals who are working on homelessness issues in the western
United States.
The Department of Community Development (DCD)is the State Agency
which administers state and certain federal funds to local organizations
which provide services to the homeless. DCD in cooperation with
Washington Coalition for the Homeless has been instrumental in
establishing a communications network of over 100 shelter providers
throughout the state. A number of organizations which you listed
participate in the network.
Once again thank you for sharing this information.
Sincerely, Katherine Friedt Assistant Director For Community Services Kf:Klf
Associated Press Homepage
Transient Surveys Shelters
NATIONAL NEWSARTICLE Sunday, November 20th, 1988 Seattle Post IntelligencerAssociated Press
MEDFORD, ORE- In his wandering from San Diego to Seattle Chris Walters has surveyed homeless shelters and developed ideas about how to make them better.
"I'm not doing just a survey" says Walters from a phone
booth in Stockton, California."I live there. I'm a homeless person too."
James Harris, Manager of Oregon's Homeless Program, says Walters has provided information about the needs and movements of the homeless and transients on the I-5 Corridor - information that
officials wouldn't get otherwise
"I think he's doing a public service".
Walters said he worked in security for 10 years as a clerk in a bank in Florida before hitting the road. After a six month stint as a motel clerk in 1986, he was back on the road again. "If you were looking at me, you couldn't tell I was homeless." He said on the telephone."You would assume I worked in a bank or something. The only thing that would give me away would be my disintegrating tennis shoes."
His office is a notebook he carried in a small duffle bag along with a change of clothes and a few personal items.
In His travels he distributes his reports on homeless shelters
to city managers, county supervisors, social-service
departments, Congressmen, Senators, Libraries, and Newspapers
He applauds a decision in California to open National Guard Armories as shelters on cold nights and would like to see other states do the same. "It keeps people from freezing to death, "
he said. Walters ranks Oregon first in the West in helping homeless men to go back to work, followed by Nevada, Arizona, Washington, and California.
He said the short time a person can stay in a shelter makes it
harder for him or her to settle down and get a job. "When a homeless person is in Medford and his five days are up, he's not going to starve to death or freeze to death at night,"
Walters said, "He's going to go north to Roseburg or south to Redding. Most homeless move around because the homeless system is set up to encourage them to move around. He would like to see shelters allow one 30 day stay a year, so people can get a job and start a life for themselves.
If at the end of 30 days you can't show me anything, then I'd say Redding is that way, Roseburg is that way"
Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter Day Saints
Welfare Services
Seventh Floor DTB 758
50 East North Temple Street
Salt Lake City, Utah 84150
8 AUGUST 1991
Mr. Chris Walters
c/o Christian Center of Salem
Salem, Oregon
Dear Mr. Walters:
Thank you for your letter and a copy of the emergency and
social services guide for the western United States. We
appreciate your thoughtfulness in sharing this document
with us and were quite interested to read about your
efforts to assess shelters along the I-5 Corridor.
Please let us know when you plan to be in Utah.
I am enclosing a copy of the Weber County Community Service
Agencies address list. This list covers the City of Ogden
and surrounding areas. I am also enclosing a United Way
Profile of Agencies in the greater Salt Lake City area.
Ogden and Salt Lake City are the areas that have the most
dealing with and facilites for homeless people in Utah.
Again, thank you for writing. I hope these materials will be helpful
to you.
Sincerely, Dodie Truman Borup
Humanitarian Services
CC: ISAAC C. FERGUSON
CC: ISAAC C. FERGUSON
Governor Pete Wilson
California Health and Welfare
State of California-Health and Welfare Agency
Department of Social Services
744 P Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
September 9, 1991
Mr. Chris Walters
Project Technical
345 Commercial, North East
Salem, Oregon 97301
Dear Mr. Walters:
Thank you for sending your emergency resource list to the
Governor. He has forwarded your letter and emergency resources
list to me for response because the Department of Social Services
is responsible for administering public assistance programs in
California. I am forwarding a copy of the resources list to Mr.
Tom Monahan of the Office of Emergency Shelter, California
Department of Housing and Community Development.
Thanks you again for sharing your effort with me.
Sincerely,
Signed Robert A. Horel
Deputy Director
Welfare Program Division
Signed Robert A. Horel
Deputy Director
Welfare Program Division
City of Portland
City of Commissioner Gretchen Kafoury
Portland, Oregon 1220 S.W. 5TH AVENUE
Department of Portland, Oregon 97204
Public Utilities (503-823-4151)
March 6, 1991
Chris Walters
345 Commercial NE
Salem, Oregon 97301
Dear Mr. Walters:
Thank you very much for your letter on "The easy way to get $20 million
dollars from Oregon." Although you haven't convinced me that it is
quite that easy, I am impressed with the scope of your vision, and
I appareciate your grass-roots approach to a major problem.
After reading your letter, I circulated it to my staff and asked them
to file in our "good ideas" section. They too liked your approach.
So keep up the good work, and please continute to circulate the names
and addresses of our state legislators. It's critical that we continue
to encourage public participation in government decison making process.
Thanks again for your letter.
Sincerely, Gretchen Kafoury
Former Governor Bob Martinez
Florida Department of Community Affairs
State of Florida
Department of Community Affairs
2740 Centerview Drive
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
Bob Martinez Thomas G. Pelham
Governor Secretary
April 9, 1990
Dear Mr. Walters:
The Citizens Assistance program in the Office of the Governor
of Florida has sent me a copy of the information sheet that you
prepared on adopting the new homeless shelter technology. As the
Director of Florida's Division of Housing and Community Development,
I know that the homeless problems is our state are growing.
My division works with local community action agenices through the
Community Services Emergency Homeless Grant Program. I will be
glad to send a copy of your information sheet to this network.
I will also forward a copy to the Department of Health and Human
Services program office responsible for the remainder of Florida's
homeless shelter network.
There are some excellent ideas included in your work. I Commend
you on making these efforts on behalf of the male homeless population.
SINCERELY,
Lewis O. Burnside, JR.
Director, Division Of Housing And
Community Development
United Way of Florida
March 5, 1992
United Way of Florida
307 E 7TH Ave, Suite 204
Tallahassee, Florida 32303
(904-681-9292)
(Fax 904-681-9137)
Mr. Chris Walters
C/O
Dear Mr. Walters:
Thank you for providing my office with the Chaps software
programs for homeless shelters.
It certainly looks as though it will be of interest to
United Ways around the State. My next newsletter, which
will be circulated to those United Ways sometime in the
next month or so, will include information on software.
Thanks again for providing the information.
Sincerely
Theodore G. Granger, President
TGG/BF
CC. Bill Hanson
Los Angeles County
Board of Supervisors
County Supervisor Michael Antonovich
Michael Antonovich
Chairman of The Board
Supervisor of Fifth District
December 17th, 1990
Mr. Chris Walters
Dear Mr. Walters:
Thank you for sharing your report on the Long Beach
Rescue Mission. Your comments show that the Long Beach Rescue
Mission is meeting the needs of the homeless population.
I am forwarding the report to Mr. Alan Wilkins, Homeless
Coordinator for his information.
Thank you again for sharing this report with me.
Sincerely,Signed
Michael D. Antonvich, Chairman of The Board
Supervisor, Fifth District
MDA;BKB
WALTERS/DOC
City of San Diego
City of San Diego
Room 869, Hall of Administration
500 West Temple Street,
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Telephone (213-974-5555)
(FAX 213-974-1010)
Maureen O Connor
Mayor
April 25th, 1990
Mr. Chris Walters
Post Office Box 3485
Modesto, CA 95353-3485
Dear Mr. Walters:
Thank you for your note of support and encouragement. I will
share your letter with the San Diego Regional Task Force on
the homeless.
Maureen O Connor Mayor
MOC/LUS;FDG C-1.1
Mid Willamette Valley Community Action Agency
Chris Walters c/0 722 I Street Modesto, CA 95354 Dear Mr. Walters:
Our agency would like to be included in your list of interested
parties and would like to exchange informaton about the homeless
across state lines.
Should you need any further information please contact me at the
above address. Our community Action Agency is particularily
active in the surronding rural areas and is expically interested
in the plight of the homeless families and children.
Thank you for your work and dedication.
Sincerely, Lynne Reinoso
Mayor of City of Portland
City of Office Of
Portland, Oregon J.E.Bud Clark, Mayor
Office of The Mayor 1220 S.W. 5th
Portland, Oregon 97204
(503-248-4120)
Janurary 19th, 1988
Chris Walters
c/o 722 I Street
Modesto, CA 95354
Dear Chris:
Enclosed you will find a report on activities in Portland
concerning the homeless. It was broadly circulated in the
interest of information sharing.
Our Mayor, J.E. Bud Clark, would appreciate being added to your
list. The Address is listed above.
SINCERELY,
J. Daniel Steffey,
Assistant To Mayor Clark
King County Executive Tim Hill
400 King County Courthouse
516 Third Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98104
(206-344-4040)
November 25TH, 1987 Mr. Chris Walters 722 1/2 13th Street Modesto, CA 95354 RE: Homeless Programs List: Dear Mr. Walters:
Thank you for your November 16th, 1987 letter transmitting a list of
persons and agencies currently working on problems with the homeless
in Washington, California, and Nevada.
By a copy of this letter I will forward your information to King
County Departments that are involved with this issue. Thank you
again for sharing your information with King County.
Sincerely, TIM HILL KING COUNTY, EXECUTIVE TH:M5/3 CC: Joe Nagel, Director Parks, Planning And Resources Department. Maureen McLaughlin Director, Department of Human Resources
