Strengthen collaboration and �build broad community support for ending homelessness | Increase access to quality, affordable housing | Develop a comprehensive and responsive system of care� that meets both immediate and long-term needs |
- Designate a backbone organization to coordinate strategy, communication and accountability across partners
- Center lived experience in decision-making to drive more effective solutions
- Map existing assets and funding to identify gaps and publicly share resources and needs
- Launch a public awareness campaign to reduce stigma, humanize homelessness and shift community narratives
- Host town halls and workshops to engage residents and gather community input
- Develop a communications toolkit and pitch deck to mobilize elected officials and funders
- Advance regional collaboration to align strategies across jurisdictions
| - Secure immediate funding to sustain existing shelter operations
- Design and launch a fundraising campaign to build a permanent, low-barrier shelter
- Advocate for policy and zoning reforms to remove barriers to building and accessing affordable housing
- Create a comprehensive housing funding strategy that blends local, state, philanthropic and federal sources
- Partner with developers to incentivize and prioritize affordable housing projects
- Advance development of long-term affordable homes including a mix of crisis, transitional, supportive and permanent housing
| - Improve local and regional collaboration and coordination of homeless systems services and programs
- Advocate to reform policies that create barriers
- Increase availability of mental health and substance use treatment
- Establish one-stop access centers to connect people to multiple services efficiently
- Secure sustainable funding �for non-billable, essential �services
- Grow and support a trained workforce to deliver high-quality care
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A 3-Year Countywide Plan to End Homelessness
- X# of shelter beds supported
- Plan for permanent shelter developed with $X raised
- Increased community awareness and reduced stigma
| - Strengthened coordination among service providers, with clear roles, shared data system and quarterly collaboration meetings
- Support secured from city and county leadership, including policy actions aligned with the coalition’s goals
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3-YEAR PRIORITIES AND STRATEGIES
VISION
A welcoming and inclusive Dorchester County where every person has a safe, stable home to live with dignity and wellness.
PURPOSE
To bring together diverse voices and organizations and build understanding, foster collaboration and drive collective action to end homelessness.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
- Listening to understand
- Communicating with honesty and transparency
- Acting with integrity, civility and respect
- Building trust through consistency and effort �(show up/follow up)
Improved health and well-being across the county
Widespread community support �for preventing and ending homelessness
Safe, affordable and permanent housing for all people at-risk of or experiencing homelessness
Sustainable resources for effective homelessness services