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Project Open Doors 2 February 19, 2008 work more closely with our community and regional partners, to participate in a national model and countywide strategies to end homelessness and to coordinate and leverage resources. HUD has made the development of strategies to assist the "chronically homeless" a national priority. When the City adopted The Everyone Home Plan, the City included suggested strategies for implementation with the Plan's five major goals. The Plan's goals and a brief list of these possible City actions follow: 1. Prevent homelessness and other housin crg ises. Possible City Action: • Target Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Community Assistance Grant Program resources towards prevention services. 2. Increase housing_opportunities for the homeless mentally ill and people living with HIV/AIDS. Possible City Action: • Expand the range of housing models operating in Alameda County to include options ranging from intensely supported housing to fully independent affordable housing. 3. Deliver flexible services to support stability and independence. Possible City Action: • Explore expanding financial assistance to community-based organizations for support services and facilities to assist the homeless and at-risk populations. 4. Measure success and report outcomes. 5. Develop long-term leadership and build community support. Possible City Action: • Commit staff support to work collaboratively with the County and stakeholders to implement the Plan and related City goals and priorities. For the past twenty years, Building Futures has developed expertise and leadership in serving the homeless. The field of homeless services is changing, and policy makers are looking to end homelessness, no longer merely to "manage it" through emergency shelters alone. The cornerstone of this change is the development of affordable housing with supportive services to help residents stabilize and build new and lasting communities. BFWC's participation in two regional initiatives to end homelessness, including The Everyone Home Plan, is conducive to having the City partner with its local expert. Due to this changing climate in the homeless arena, BFWC needs to re-tool its organization and will use part of this grant to assess its mission and capacity to build and operate more permanent supportive housing for vulnerable populations, calling this process "Project Open Doors". Under Project Open Doors, BFWC will help the City research, design and implement innovative homeless programs and policies. By increasing BFWC's capacity to end homelessness in partnership with local jurisdictions and non-profits, the City will be aligned with emerging best