In 2002, the Chicago
Continuum of Care completed more than two years of work
on a strategic plan to end homelessness in the City of Chicago.
With the endorsement of Mayor Daley in January 2003, the work
on the Plan began. The "Getting Housed, Staying Housed"
plan calls for a reorientation of the way homeless services
are provided in the City. Moving from a shelter-based system
to a housing-first based system, the plan calls for increased
prevention, permanent housing, wraparound services, and mainstream
services coordination.
Since the endorsement of the Plan by the Mayor, the Continuum
of Care has been in full swing in implementing the Plan. Through
developing a blueprint for change, completing successful applications
for federal and local funding, and bringing new partners to
the table, the Continuum continues to move forward on its work
in the Plan. In January 2005, the Continuum of Care and its
partners completed a strategic planning process, resulting in
an aggressive timetable for the next 8 years of the Plan. This
timetable, known as the Implementation Schedule, outlines the
tasks and targets for the Continuum of Care partners. The Implementation
Schedule was developed through an inclusive community process,
and its work is currently underway. Additionally, in January
2005, the City of Chicago, with the Continuum of Care, undertook
a complete inventory of all shelter beds and conducted an unsheltered
homeless count. This count will assist the Continuum in better
understanding the numbers of individuals who are homeless in
Chicago.
In addition to strategic planning and research, the Continuum's
partners continue advocacy for additional resources, especially
through the statewide rental subsidy bill currently in the
Illinois Senate. Finally, the Continuum has launched a successful
training and technical assistance program to assist providers
in understanding how their programs can be part of the Plan.
As the Continuum continues to move forward on the Plan, increased
advocacy, systems integration, planning, evaluation, and training
will continue to support the systems reorientation.
The LPCS supports the "Getting Housed, Staying Housed"
plan, and has been intimately involved in its development
and implementation. Several staff members serve on various
committees of the Continuum of Care, and LPCS guests, staff,
volunteers, and Board members are educated about the plan
and involved in discussions about how its implementation may
affect LPCS programs and services. In addition, the LPCS was
elected to serve on the Continuum's Governing Board and Executive
Committee for fiscal year 2005. In addition, an LPCS graduate
is an active consumer participant in various Continuum committees.
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