At the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless, we wear sparkly pink and silver beads around the office to celebrate each success. We’re in this for the long haul. Marking each milestone with costume jewelry is a silly ritual, but it reminds us to focus on the outcomes.

Ending homelessness in Minnesota is a big project, after all. But it can be done.  The benefits reach far beyond the scope of housing.  Imagine, what would a state without homelessness look like?

It would be prosperous. The standard of living floor would be raised, for everyone. Families could afford rent and groceries with their wages and salaries. The business climate would be strong, and the state budget would be balanced. People wouldn’t fear losing their homes because they were sick, disabled, or elderly.

Today, we’re far from this vision.  But we’ve seen economic booms and busts before. We will bounce back from the Great Recession. In the meantime, we have no choice but to ride it out.

But how we ride it out is our choice. We can be angry, or we can turn our attention towards the state we all want.

There’s more than a glimmer of home. There are local, state, and federal plans to end homelessness. Minnesotans are resolving to do their part. In March 2012, the City of Minneapolis released the news that street homelessness has been reduced by 40% since 2010. Yes, 40%. This is no accident. It’s the result of coordinated action by the city and county, downtown businesses, faith communities, and nonprofits.

Ending homelessness is possible. You can make a difference.