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MAYOR’S COMMITTEE ON HOMELESSNESS The Mayor’s Committee on Homelessness has developed a set of overarching strategic goals that will guide the Committee and its partners in designing and implementing two- year action plans and related initiatives. The entire plan can be viewed online: www.ci.billings.mt.us/homelessplan. WELCOME HOME BILLINGS Strategic Framework Ten-year Plan to Impact Homelessness Vision: No one in Billings has to be homeless. Everyone in Billings has access to tools and opportunities for safe, appropriate and affordable housing. Mission: The Mayor’s Committee on Homelessness has partnered with local organizations and community members to develop and implement a comprehensive ten-year plan in the pursuit of ending chronic homelessness in the Billings community. CROSS-CUTTING STRATEGIC GOALS COLLABORATION A: Join community partners with resources to address homelessness intervention and prevention efforts and facilitate partnerships to improve collaboration, service array, leveraging and capacity. A1: Develop resources for funding homeless initiatives and coordinate grant efforts. A2: Support Project Homeless Connect as an annual event. A3: Support the Billings Area Resource Network as a working homeless services / advisory body for the Mayor’s Committee on Homelessness. A4: Support the Business Consortium for Social Change to involve businesses in impacting the homeless / near- homeless. A5: Create modes of communication between partnering organizations to facilitate coordination, avoid duplication, and increase collaboration to maximize resources. AWARENESS B: Increase advocacy and public knowledge on behalf of the homeless. B1: Utilize the ten-year plan to provide guidance regarding homeless policy for local, state, and federal entities. B2: Increase understanding of the causes and economic realities of homelessness through targeted public awareness campaigns for homeless projects and service events. B3: Promote understanding and respect for all people experiencing homelessness. B4: Provide venues for those experiencing homelessness to have their ideas and concerns heard. ACCOUNTABILITY C: Ensure innovation, fiscal responsibility and long-term effectiveness for projects and programs. C1: Support both prevention and intervention modalities for projects and programs. C2: Closely monitor trends in the needs of the homeless and near-homeless in Billings in order to respond to community need. C3: Research innovation in homeless services and facilitate capacity-building with local service providers and community organizations to implement improved services. C4: Support education efforts for case management, mentoring and services. SUSTAINABILITY D: Ensure high standards for management, accountability and performance measurement. D1: Embrace public involvement, comment and input for ten-year planning and project development efforts. D2: Ensure performance measurements are implemented with each project and data is gathered and analyzed on a routine basis. D3: Evaluate projects for long-term sustainability as part of the routine processes prior to endorsement or facilitation. D4: Evaluate cost-effectiveness, essential services, and long-term business resource planning for all projects. D5: Embrace public involvement, comment and input for ten-year planning and project development efforts. Community Development Division Strategic Framework City of Billings Ten-Year Plan to Impact Homelessness ---PAGE BREAK--- Community Development Division Strategic Framework City of Billings Ten-Year Plan to Impact Homelessness WELCOME HOME BILLINGS Strategic Framework Ten-year Plan to Impact Homelessness PROGRAMMATIC STRATEGIC GOALS & PRIORITIES HOUSING PREVENTION SERVICES ASSETS E: Increase the city’s supply of decent, affordable housing. F: Provide adequate emergency homeless prevention programs. G: Expand treatment /service capacity and linkage to essential services. H: Increase personal income levels and economic opportunities. E1: Increase supportive housing units, permanent rentals, transitional housing units, veterans housing, emergency shelter beds, housing for those returning from prison and those in recovery. F1: Increase funding dedicated to rent, utilities and mortgage assistance. G1: Expand coordinated intensive case management and street outreach services for the homeless. H1: Increase access to social service and income benefits by ensuring assistance is provided to complete applications. E2: Seek federal, state and local funding sources to support affordable housing development for households with very low income (0 - 30% Area Median Income). F2: Support incentive programs for landlords to rent to the homeless or those at risk for homelessness, and increase service provider capacity to engage in long-term leasing and / or rental ownership. G2: Increase assistance to complete applications and facilitate application streamlining to access services, transportation, employment and housing. H2: Support asset development, education, job training, and employment opportunities serving the homeless (and those at risk of homelessness) throughout the community. E3: Build local service provider capacity for affordable housing development, management and housing rehabilitation. F3: Support pre-release / discharge planning education and intervention for all institutional services including foster care, prison, jail and behavioral health facilities. G3: Increase availability and capacity of health care, mental health, substance abuse services, medication assistance and access to legal assistance to the very low income / uninsured. H3: Establish mentoring support systems, life skills training, and childcare assistance to the homeless (and those at risk of homelessness) currently in the workforce. E4: Provide Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) capacity-building opportunities through the City’s Community Development Division. F4: Utilize housing first and rapid re-housing philosophies in developing housing options to shorten homelessness. G4: Support increases in capacity for day center operations across the city. H4: Support the expansion of financial fitness and credit assistance programs. E5: Decrease barriers to obtaining existing housing units and refine housing placement services and coordination. F5: Support case management efforts to transition occupants from shelter care to permanent supportive housing. G5: Support expansion of community-based, criminal justice diversion programs. H5: Promote fair wage rates and competitive bidding through the expansion of social enterprise efforts. E6: Facilitate collaborative grant and loan applications for affordable housing development to serve the homeless. F6: Support landlord-tenant intervention to prevent eviction. G6: Establish one-stop shop to access all services for the homeless. H6: Increase financial management services for those in need.