Permanent Solutions to Prevent, Reduce and End Homelessness

In 2011, the Coalition adopted the following Permanent Solutions to Prevent, Reduce, and End Homelessness:

HOUSING ACCESSIBILITY

1) Develop a range of permanent housing options to include permanent supportive housing and appropriate levels of support based on individual need.

2) Transitional housing options for special populations (for example, families with children, youth aging out of foster care, etc.).

3) Community integration – availability of housing throughout the community; neighborhoods become more accommodating.

SUPPORTIVE SERVICES

1) Increased, timely access to alcohol and drug treatment services and community based mental health services.

2) Expanding case management services to those at risk of homelessness, such as residents in family-style public housing.

3) More funding for utility and rent assistance to prevent evictions.

PROACTIVE COMMUNITY RESPONSE

1) Advocating for changes in interpretation and implementation of commitment for treatment criteria (i.e. Title 33) to ensure that both inpatient and outpatient treatment

is available to persons in psychiatric crisis and/or situations that pose a risk of harm.

2) Expanding the capacity for services that are already proven to work – case management, subsidized housing, etc.

3) Better coordination of systems and resources to prevent discharging to the streets from jail, hospitals and foster care.

To accomplish our strategic plan and full fill our mission, KKCHC members are invited to incorporate these goals into the daily work AND participate in one our our work group COMMITTEES:

Advocacy/ Interpretation Committee: to promote, implore, and seek support of the KKCHC; to assist the community at large in understanding and appreciating the experience of homelessness and explaining permanent solutions.

Networking Committee: to identify gaps and barriers to housing and services and to foster collaborative community partnerships and working among, with, and for agency providers to respond to those gaps and barriers.

Education Committee: to identify education gaps or areas where training is needed and coordinate/facilitate training to the KKCHC.

Coordinated Care of Difficult Cases: a monthly forum for homeless service providers to share strategies and objectives regarding the "difficult to reach and engage" individuals who are experiencing homelessness.

Continuum of Care: Knoxville/ Knox County's community plan to organize and deliver housing and services to meet the specific needs of people who are homeless as they move to stable housing and maximum self-sufficiency. It includes action steps to end homelessness and prevent a return to homelessness.