To address the persistent issue of homelessness within its borders, Howard County has unveiled an ambitious draft of a five-year plan aimed at permanently transforming the homelessness landscape, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced. The strategy, dubbed "The Path Toward Zero: 2025 – 2030 Plan to End Homelessness," outlines a series of goals and interventions designed by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to reach a state where the number of homeless individuals in the county is fewer than the system's capacity to provide them with housing—a standard referred to as "functional zero."
Currently, households in crisis navigating the County’s Coordinated Entry System of Homeless Services (CES) find themselves at the top of priority lists. Yet, they often face delays due to limited program availability and resources; however, achieving functional zero is expected to minimize these waiting periods, hastening the transition to housing with substantial support services, according to statements from the county's leadership.
Howard County has not been stagnant in its fight against homelessness, having assisted over 2,500 people to transition from homelessness to permanent housing since Fiscal Year 2013. In the last year alone, nearly 900 individuals have received housing assistance and case management through DHCD's CES. Kelly Cimino, the Director of DHCD, also took the opportunity to recognize the people working on the frontlines, “Today’s celebration was a chance to thank the case managers, street outreach workers, pupil personnel workers, and partner agencies that provide hope and compassion to individuals and families facing housing instability and homelessness. We appreciate their valuable service to our community," Cimino remarked, as detailed by the Howard County news release.
Residents and community members are invited to peruse the draft plan on DHCD’s “Homeless Services” website, where they are also encouraged to contribute feedback to the county by emailing [email protected] by a stated deadline. The open period for comments on the draft plan ends at 4:00 p.m., Thursday, July 31st, a key stage in what is hoped to be a groundbreaking stride toward eradicating homelessness in Howard County.
