The 10-Year Plan is intended to end long-term, or chronic homelessness.  Although the chronically homeless are the most visible, they make up only about 15%-25% of the entire homeless community but use disproportionate share of homeless emergency services and resources. While services and resources are provided, those who are chronically homeless remain homeless - this fact has motivated Buncombe County and Asheville to develop a plan which uses innovative and collaborative service provision that will meet the unique needs of chronically  homeless individuals.

    The scope of the 10-Year Plan, however, is not limited to chronic homelessness alone.  When implemented over the next decade, the policy recommendations will also result in a significant reduction of all types of homelessness, including among families, youth, or single adults who experience episodic homelessness.

    Using the plan as a blueprint, stakeholders will work to:

• Reduce the number of people who become homeless
• Increase the number of homeless people placed into permanent housing
• Decrease the length and disruption of homeless episodes
• Provide community-based services and supports that prevent homelessness before it happens and/or limit opportunities for homelessness to reoccur.

    The goals will be accomplished through community collaboration.  Stakeholders will  focus on these areas:

1. Developing the infrastructure: A Homeless Management Information System, or HMIS, will be utilized to link all services, screen for program eligibility, and gather data needed to monitor service provision.
2. Closing the Front Door: Steps will be taken to stop individuals and families from becoming homeless. These steps include better coordination of financial assistance and discharge planning for people leaving public institutions such as hospitals, prisons, or jails.
3. Opening the Back Door: Using a Housing First service model, development and implementation of a community-wide program will be implemented, which includes permanent housing for all chronically homeless individuals as the first step.
4. Keeping it Going: Using a Housing Plus treatment model, individuals will be evaluated for their unique needs so that the necessary level of treatment will be provided to ensure that homeless individuals and families placed in permanent housing can remain housed long term.  Each person or family evaluated will begin receiving services that are designed to meet their specific needs.