A New Vision: What is in Community Plans to End Homelessness?

The problem of homelessness, many say, is an unsolvable problem. Communities across the country have struggled with getting homeless people off the street by building shelters, transitional housing, and soup kitchens. Although these strategies help address the immediate needs of our nation’s homeless people by providing food and temporary shelter, they have not been successful in decreasing homelessness, leaving communities frustrated and hopeless. In 2000, the National Alliance to End Homelessness announced A Plan, Not a Dream: How to End Homelessness in Ten Years. Drawing on research and innovative programs from around the country, the plan outlined a new vision to address the problem of homelessness. This vision included strategies to end the problem by providing affordable housing and needed services, and, just as important, by preventing homelessness from occurring in the first place. Since that time, 220 communities have undertaken efforts to end homelessness and 90 communities have completed plans to end homelessness. These plans echo key strategies outlined in the Alliance’s plan and represent a critical, collective effort to end homelessness nationwide.

This report is the first nationwide examination of local plans to end homelessness. (Authors)

Publication Date: 
2006
Location: 
Washington, D.C.