Progress on Regional Coordination
In March of 2021, MDHI in collaboration with Community Solutions, the VA, Department of Local Affairs, DRCOG, and the Metro Mayors Caucus convened hundreds of elected officials to discuss the issue of homelessness at the Regional Convening on Homelessness, suggesting the need for regional collaboration on the issue. Hundreds of others tuned in via Facebook Live to watch the event.
The day rolled out Built for Zero as a way to coordinate regionally on the issue of homelessness. Since then, the nine subregions have been working diligently to establish the Built for Zero framework in their local communities, starting with Veteran homelessness.
We are excited to share that this approach is working! Communities collaborating together has brought reductions in Veteran homelessness. In fact, while all other types of homelessness are increasing due to the economic impact of COVID-19, Veteran homelessness has decreased by over 12% since the beginning of 2021. This is encouraging news. Some communities, sparked by this momentum, have already begun applying this framework to other subpopulations such as those that are chronically homeless, families, youth, etc. Our region is at a point where we know Veterans experiencing homelessness by name and are working to meet their individual housing and stability needs.
As we finish out this 2021 calendar year, we anticipate these reductions will continue and have set a goal to be the first major metro region in the nation to reach Functional Zero, making homelessness rare and brief for those that have served our country.
For more on how Built for Zero is helping communities reach this milestone through coordination, collaboration, and strategic investments, watch this short video below.
MDHI would like to extend its sincere thanks to the providers, staff, partners, elected leaders, and stakeholders that are doing this work each day to collaborate on real solutions to the homelessness and housing instability crisis facing our community. Only by working together, can we make homelessness history in our region!