Task Force Approves Final Draft of Plan to End Homelessness

The Guilford County Task Force to End Homelessness met this morning and approved by consensus the final draft of the “Guilford County / High Point / Greensboro Ten Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness And Reduce Other Homelessness.” (The plan will most likely receive a more succinct and memorable name before it’s published and released to the public. )

The plan focuses on permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless persons, and prevention and supportive services. There are a few more steps in the process, but once the plan is finalized, it will be released to the public. (Details and date to be announced soon.)

Mayor Keith Holliday joined us at the meeting this morning to offer his support and encouragement. He is “thrilled by the enthusiam and support of the federal government” for Ten Year Plans to end homelessness, and says that he doesn’t “see how anybody can say ‘no’ to this.” He noted that comprehensive plans, like the Ten Year Plan, are the way to solve problems such as chronic homelessness. The mayor also said that homelessness is often, “out of sight, out of mind. People don’t want to deal with it. We need to come from a perspective of not coming in the back door.” He believes that it’s important to get the whole message of homelessness out to the community.

Neil Belenky, president of United Way of Greater Greensboro and an administrative partner on the Task Force, spoke about his personal journey during the last year as a Task Force member, and learning about the struggles that homeless people face. He now knows that homelessness is about much more than not having a place to live. “It’s not about homelessness. It’s about recovery.” Of his time on the Task Force, Belenky also added, “It’s put me back in touch with my humanity.” Amen, Neil!