10 Year Plan to End Homelessness

Destination Home: Jackson’s10 Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness is designed to bring together all available resources to address the long-standing problem of homelessness. Adoption of the plan signifies the City of Jackson’s commitment to accomplishing this goal through partnerships and coordinated activities with local service providers. Recognizing the autonomy of each entity, "Destination: Home" formalizes the City’s active role in carrying out the Strategic Plan.

• Jackson's Ten-Year Strategic Plan to End Chronic Homelessness, August 2, 2006

Since its adoption in 2006, “Destination: Home” has made great strides in addressing the issues of homelessness in our city. Committees made up of city officials, homeless service providers, homeless individuals, and volunteers meet regularly to work on the implementation of the plan. Anyone interested in homelessness is welcome to attend. For meeting locations and times contact Heather Ivery, Homeless Program Coordinator at 601-960-1489 orhivery@city.jackson.ms.us.

Homeless Service Providers

The Homelessness Resource Listcontains information on all agencies in the city of Jackson and the surrounding counties that offer homelessness prevention and homelessness assistance. If you cannot find information on the service you are looking for, contact the Homeless Program Coordinator for assistance.

Point-In-Time Count

Each year the City of Jackson and Partners to End Homelessness conduct a count of the homeless in Jackson and the surrounding counties. This count is conducted in a 24 hour period during on of the last 10 days in January. The Point-In-Time (PIT) count helps determine the amount of homelessness funds an area will receive from HUD. Surveys are conducted at each shelter, soup kitchen and area that the homeless are known to be.Volunteers from local colleges and businesses give several hours of their day to assist in the survey. The PIT count provides us with statistics about homelessness in our area. 2010 Point-In-Time Count Report.

Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day

Each year in December, homeless persons, homeless service providers, and advocates ll gather at a local service agency to observe James Ivory Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day. Since 1992, this event has served to remember homeless persons who have died during the year and to call attention to the many issues of homelessness.

The event is sponsored by the Mississippi State Hospital Community Services Stubbs Homeless Program and Partners to End Homelessness in conjunction with the National Coalition for the Homeless. It is named for the late James Ivory, a former director of the Jackson-HindsComprehensiveHealthCenter’s Homeless Clinic, who was an ardent advocate for the homeless. Homeless memorial services, including candlelight vigils, plays and other events, are currently conducted by about 100 communities across the United States. The events call attention to the estimated 3 ˝ million people, including over a million children, who are likely to experience homelessness in a given year. The date for the 2010 Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day will be announced in November.