National Alliance to End Homelessness Responds to the Federal Strategic Plan to End Homelessness

(Vocus) June 22, 2010 -- On Tuesday, June 22, the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) released Opening Doors, the Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness.

“We welcome this first-ever, comprehensive federal commitment to end homelessness. The plan has a timeframe and clear, measurable national goals; these will help to drive an organized and committed federal response,” said Nan Roman, President of the National Alliance to End Homelessness (http://www.endhomelessness.org/section/solutions/ten_year_plan).

Communities across the country have long proven that strategic plans to end homelessness can be successful. In 2000, the Alliance launched A Plan, Not a Dream: A Plan to End Homelessness in the United States (http://www.endhomelessness.org/content/article/detail/585). Drawing upon existing research and best practices, the campaign outlined four key strategies to end homelessness. To date, over 266 communities have developed local plans based on this framework – and communities fromQuincy, MA (http://www.endhomelessness.org/section/solutions/local_progress/quincy) to Denver, CO (http://www.endhomelessness.org/section/solutions/local_progress/denver) to Alameda County, CA (http://www.endhomelessness.org/section/solutions/local_progress/sanfrancisco) have reduced chronic and family homelessness. July 2010 marks the 10th anniversary of the Alliance’s Ten Year Plan (http://www.endhomelessness.org/section/solutions/ten_year_plan).

Opening Doors follows the release of the 2009 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress (http://www.hudhre.info/) – the HUD-authored evaluation of homelessness in the country. The report found a reduction in the levels of chronic homelessness and an increase in the number of families seeking shelter – the latter largely seen as the initial effect of the recession on vulnerable families. In her response to the report, Roman noted, “At this point, what remains to be seen is the full impact of the recession on homelessness. The AHAR shows that we can forestall recession-related increases if we focus on solutions – the chronic homelessness reductions prove that. But ultimately, an improved economy and reduced unemployment are what we need to make progress on the goal of ending homelessness.”

“What we need now is action,” said Roman. “Communities that are able to show real progress are those that have not only created a plan, but harnessed the political will and public support necessary to commit real resources to implementation. These communities now have a federal partner to stand alongside local stakeholders in the effort to prevent and end homelessness. Together, we can all turn this plan into real action.”

Media Availability: Nan Roman, president of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, will be available for interviews the week of June 21, 2010. See contact information below.

Contact: Catherine An, 202-942-8297

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