More than 80 programs nationwide were considered for the study, and 14 were chosen for study in consultation with a Technical Working Group composed of representatives from HHS, HUD, USICH and the Department of Education.  Among the 14 programs, seven had explicit partnerships with the local Public Housing Agencies (PHA) to serve homeless families.  These programs were selected to demonstrate how communities partner with PHAs to provide mainstream housing assistance through the HCV program and public housing, for example, to prevent and end homelessness among families.