OBAMA ADMINISTRATION UNVEILS NATIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN TO PREVENT AND END HOMELESSNESS

On June 22, the federal government unveiled the first ever national plan to prevent and end homelessness.  The plan, which was developed primarily through the US Interagency Council on Homelessness, defines clear strategies and benchmarks for ending homelessness for individuals and families.

While hundreds of local communities have been working to end homelessness, without the commitment of the federal government the work at the local level becomes significantly more difficult.  We’ve recognized for a long time that ending a problem as complex as homelessness will require unprecedented levels of cooperation and collaboration.  Ending homelessness requires the dedicated work of non-profits, business, government, and other institutions.  Having a firm commitment from the federal government will make a significant difference in whether or not we are ultimately successful.

To view the federal plan please go to: http://www.usich.gov/.

SEATTLE/KING COUNTY PLAN TO END HOMELESSNESS MAKING SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS

The Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness in King County is making process.  The Committee to End Homelessness recently released its annual report detailing both the challenges the plan faces and the milestones that have been reached.

Here are some examples of last year’s successes:

• Preventing homelessness for over 5,000 people through emergency assistance programs throughout the county.
• Helping more than 4,700 individuals in more than 3,350 households to leave homelessness
• Reducing the point-in-time count of people on the streets and in emergency shelter by four percent
• Opening 1,065 new units of housing or dedicated subsidies – our highest production year ever
• Creating a system-wide coordinated entry into programs for chronically homeless individuals

To view the entire annual report go to: http://www.cehkc.org/progress/ReportAnnual.aspx