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FIVE YEAR SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PLAN <br /> FINAL REPORT <br /> VIi. Conclusion <br /> The plight of the chronically homeless in City of Decatur and Macon County, like so <br /> many other societal issues, is extremely complex and difficult to resolve. The ongoing <br /> struggles of individuals living in a state of homelessness and the challenges that they <br /> create for other community residents can only be addressed through a comprehensive <br /> effort. This includes the development of affordable housing, the provision of long term <br /> case management and supportive services, and changes in public policy and <br /> perceptions regarding the homeless. Through the one-time $500,000 grant from HUD, <br /> the Decatur community has taken this unique opportunity to devise a strategy that <br /> addresses this critical issue in a thoughtFul and inclusive manner and to implement a <br /> plan that fully leverages limited public resources. <br /> Utilizing the nationally recognized model of"Housing First", the five year plan described <br /> in this report, seeks to drastically reduce chronic homelessness in the Decatur <br /> community by more than 50%. Although chronic homelessness will never be fully <br /> eliminated, the benefits of permanent supportive housing are evident. Not only does this <br /> model create a continuous supportive environment for individuals who require ongoing <br /> assistance to live, but it also provides an increased sense of security and safety within <br /> the community at large. <br /> As demonstrated in this report, the level of chronic homelessness in the city of Decatur <br /> and Macon County can be decreased through the dedication and commitment of local <br /> affordable housing developers, supportive service providers, and public agencies. This <br /> plan is intended to senre as a valuable and practical blueprint that the City, the <br /> Homeless Council, and developers can use to guide their efforts in the next few years. <br /> However, with federal housing assistance declining, there will be significant challenges <br /> in securing sufficient resources to implement the ptan. It is by no means certain that all <br /> PA�e 41 <br />