On July 8, 2021 the Alliance Board of Directors adopted the 2021 Strategic Plan, which reaffirms the organization’s mission, seven (7) strategies, and nine (9) goals. Each goal has 2-11 objectives for a total of 54 objectives and 195 specific tasks. Alliance board chairperson and Keizer Mayor Cathy Clark noted that “this is a plan of action, not just a document that sits on a shelf.” Her sentiments were echoed by the other board members who represent local non-profit organizations (Community Action Agency, Union Gospel Mission, and United Way), health care systems (Salem Health and PacificSource Community Solutions), the three area housing authorities, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, Salem-Keizer Public Schools, Marion and Polk counties, people with lived experience, Polk County Veteran Services, and the cities of Salem, Keizer, Monmouth, and Independence.
Clark further emphasized that “progress toward ending and preventing homelessness is only possible when we all work together – the public, private, and non-profit sectors throughout our two-county region – and commit our time and resources to helping our neighbors overcome barriers to housing and housing stability.”
Alliance Goals:
- HOMELESS SERVICES SYSTEM. Develop a robust, responsive, coordinated and client-focused system of services to engage and support individuals and families experiencing homelessness to achieve housing stability.
- AFFORDABLE HOUSING. Increase access and expand affordable housing units to help fill the gap in housing supply across Marion and Polk counties.
- SHELTERS. Address gaps in shelter beds, including the need for low-barrier shelters.
- TRANSITIONAL HOUSING. Address gaps in transitional housing, including capacity for transitional case management.
- PERMANENT HOUSING. Utilize the resources of Rapid Re-housing and expand Permanent Supportive Housing to address the needs of the high percentage of chronically homeless individuals concentrated in the Salem/Keizer area.
- HEALTH & SAFETY. Address physical and mental health and safety issues relating to homelessness.
- PREVENTION SERVICES & SYSTEMS ALIGNMENT. Align systems and expand strategies that mitigate risks of becoming homeless or returning to homelessness.
- SPECIFIC POPULATIONS. Address the unique needs and characteristics of specific populations (chronically homeless, youth, families, seniors, LBGTQ populations, farmworkers, Veterans, survivors of domestic violence, survivors of human trafficking, and persons with disabilities, including those who are medically fragile).
- COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. Increase leadership, communication, collaboration and community engagement in preventing and reducing homelessness.