People here sometimes ask the question, “Are there examples of other cities who are using Ten-Year Plans to address homelessness? Others that are doing permanent supportive housing?”
The answer is “Yes,” and here’s a good example.
Norfolk VA is a city not far from Knoxville. Like Knoxville, Norfolk has a Ten-Year Plan. It’s working.
According to a release from The National Alliance To End Homelessness, the city of Norfolk has experienced a record 69 percent drop in the number of homeless people living on the streets in the last two years. Norfolk is among an increasing number of cities across the nation making measurable progress in reducing homelessness.
Norfolk’s plan was implemented in 2005, a year before our own. Like Knoxville, Norfolk uses permanent supportive housing as a pillar of its plan, which also streamlines access to services and emphasizes prevention of homelessness.