1. Local Government Resources to Address Homelessness
Engaging Local Government
Florida Institute on Homelessness & Supportive Housing
November 1, 2017
9:40 am to 11:10 am

2. Presenter
Joe N. Savage, Jr., PhD, Regional Coordinator (based in Philadelphia), U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness
Contact Info: (202)

3. Importance of Engagement
Ending homelessness requires collaborative partnerships across all sectors
Local government engagement/partnership can bring resources/solutions in the form of political will, data integration, and financial support

4. Important of Engagement: Political Will
Mayors, City Councils, County Commissioners/Boards can serve as brokers in the development of partnerships
Brings a high level of visibility to the issue raising awareness
Spur additional resources from philanthropic, business, and other private sources

5. Importance of Engagement: Data Integration
Cross systems data integration is critical to efforts in ending homelessness (e.g., homeless, behavioral health, criminal justice, law enforcement, child welfare)
Local governments can play key role in removing barriers (e.g., administrative, logistical) to data sharing across systems

6. Importance of Engagement: Financial Support
Local governments can provide flexible dollars that can be used for such solutions as: Rapid rehousing, landlord risk mitigation funds, permanent supportive housing, prevention assistance, outreach, staff support
Local government resources can serve as leverage (match dollars) towards other funding

7. Challenges to Engagement
SOLUTION
Homelessness not a priority
Make case for connection between homelessness and other priorities (e.g., unemployment)
Lack of local government financial resources
Set asides from taxes/fees (e.g., real estate transfer taxes, document filing fees)
Continuity across administrations
Memorandums of Understanding, Letters of Agreement
Consistency in local government leadership and meeting attendance
Establishment of workgroups/task forces via Executive Order