Solution

Systemic approach to ending homelessness

This solution addresses homelessness in Calhoun County, Michigan, USA for those dealing with homelessness

Problem Description

"In the summer of 2006, a group of local foundations supported the leaders of Calhoun County Michigan (population 100,000), in developing a 10-year plan to end homelessness (David Stroh and Michael Goodman, “A systemic approach to ending homelessness,” Applied Systems Thinking Journal, Topical Issues No. 4). The agreement forged by government officials at the municipal, state, and federal levels – along with business leaders, service providers, and homeless people themselves – came after years of leadership inertia and conflict regarding what needed to be done to solve the problem. Moreover, the plan signaled a paradigmatic shift in how the community viewed the role of temporary shelters and other emergency response services. Rather than see them as part of the solution to homelessness, people came to view these programs as one of the key obstacles to ending it." Quoted from: https://thesystemsthinker.com/acting-and-thinking-systemically/

Building Blocks

Story

"The plan won state funding, and a new executive director supported by a multi-sector board began steering implementation. Service providers who had previously worked independently and competed for foundation and public monies came together in new ways. One dramatic example was that they all voted unanimously to reallocate HUD funding from one service provider’s transitional housing program to a permanent supportive housing program run by another provider.

Calhoun County has done a remarkable job of securing permanent housing for the homeless, especially in the face of the economic downturn. In the plan’s first three years of operation from 2007-2009, homelessness decreased by 13% (from 1,658 to 1,437), and eviction rates declined by 3%, despite a 70% increase in unemployment and 15% increase in bankruptcy filings."
Quoted from: https://thesystemsthinker.com/acting-and-thinking-systemically/ (sentences removed due to space restrictions)

Resources

Organisations Involved

Solution Stage

One of the 7 stages of an innovation. Learn more
STAGE SPECIALIST SKILLS REQUIRED EXAMPLE ACTIVITIES RISK LEVEL AND HANDLING FINANCE REQUIRED KINDS OF EVIDENCE GENERATED GOAL
Making the case4
Business development and evaluation
  • Market sizing, development and testing
  • Business case analysis
  • Identifying cashable savings
  • Prepare to adapt approach, based on evaluation results and user feedback
MEDIUM
  • Grant funding or funding out of investment
MEDIUM
A stronger case with cost and benefit projections developed through practical trials and experiments, involving potential users
Clarity about what warrants implementation and funding

Submitted By

Janae Futrell
Activity