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September 15, 2021 It’s official. The Marion-Polk region will receive $3,691,542 to end and prevent youth homelessness. Today, the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development announced the FY 2021 awards recipients for the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program. Nationally, $142 million was awarded. Keizer Mayor Cathy Clark, Alliance Board Chair, said “The Alliance is thrilled…

The Mid-Willamette Valley Homeless Alliance, the Continuum of Care for the Marion-Polk county region, is eligible to apply for federal Continuum of Care (CoC) Program funds and is launching a local competition for organizations interested in submitting project proposals for consideration and inclusion in the CoC’s consolidated application. The local competition is open and accepting…

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…

Melanie Zermer hosts a KMUZ Radio show titled “Invisible People” to highlight local issues related to homelessness. On February 9, 2021 she interviewed Mid-Willamette Valley Homeless Alliance vice chair and Salem City Council president Chris Hoy.

During this year of exceptional challenges there continue to be opportunities to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors facing homelessness. Please consider helping where and how you can. And may your needs be met this holiday season. Holiday Giving Guide 2020

At its 7/9/20 meeting the Mid-Willamette Valley Homeless Alliance (MWVHA) Board of Directors reviewed a recent analysis of homeless resources in Marion and Polk counties. The July 2020 Gap Analysis includes comparisons to a 2018 Resource Inventory that had determined four primary needs for the Coordinated Entry System, sheltering services outside the Salem-Keizer area, expanded…

At its June 11, 2020 meeting, the MWVHA Board adopted its 5-Year Strategic Plan. As a “living document” the strategic plan will guide the evolving efforts to end and prevent homelessness in Marion and Polk counties.

No one would wish for a pandemic, but even the worst health crisis in more than a century can be a call to service. Many who have houses in which to quarantine have made thousands of fabric masks for homeless neighbors. One woman alone crafted 600 masks for distribution by Be Bold Street Ministries. A…

In light of current public health concerns, all MWVHA meetings will be held online, with both video and phone-in options. To offer the greatest level of public access, accommodations will also be made available for members of the public who otherwise would not have access to the meeting. Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments POLICY STATEMENT:…