Advisory Council to Track Progress on Ending Long-Term Homelessness

On April 18, 2005, the Advisory Council on Ending Long-Term Homelessness gathered at Perspectives Family Center in St. Louis Park for its inaugural meeting.

Charged with providing guidance on implementation of the “Business Plan to End Long-Term Homelessness,” I see the Council’s role as making sure this multi-year plan becomes an eventual reality. As Commissioner Tim Marx noted, it is the council’s job to hold him, DHS Commissioner Goodno, and Corrections Commissioner Fabian accountable to the Plan’s goal.

As one of the Advisory Council members, I did not take this as a rhetorical statement. The Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless, through my participation, will provide specific advice on the Evaluation Committee. And as I noted on April 18, I am there not just to make sure the “letter of the Plan” is followed, but also that we end long-term homelessness.

I say this because there are several things beyond the “Business Plan” that must happen to accomplish the goal. Among them are:

1. We must prevent homelessness so that new people do not become long-term homelessness. This can only partially be accomplished through effective programs within the homelessness system. Preventing homelessness means not letting people fall into the system to begin with. The Advisory Council should make sure that being discharged from a publicly-funded institution (e.g. prisons, group homes, foster care) not mean being discharged into homelessness. These institutions must be given the resources so they can partially define success as, “People leaving this institution will be able to find and retain housing (in some cases with supportive services) in the community.”
2. The Advisory Council must quantify how changes in the economy and/or federal policy and funding impact the Plan. For example, proposed changes to Section 8 could dramatically reduce the federal commitment to this plan. How must the state adjust so that it still meets its goal?
3. When proposed funding from the State falls short of expectations, the Advisory Council must advocate that that gap be filled in subsequent legislative sessions. For example, the $12 million approved by the 2005 Legislature in bonding for supportive housing will help house a number of people. However, it is $8 million shy of our goal for the year. I will be advocating that the Governor’s bonding request next year be $38 million (not the $30 million previously outlined) for supportive housing.

If you have any recommendations for how the “Business Plan End Long-Term Homelessness” can receive ongoing, serious, and thorough evaluation, please contact Michael Dahl.