In one of the country’s most competitive and high cost housing markets it is essential that local government play a role in ending homelessness on the local and regional level. The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) released a report highlighting the adoption and use of 10 Year Plans to End Homelessness by our region’s jurisdictions. The 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness model was first proposed by the National Alliance to End Homelessness a non-profit organization based in Washington DC in July 2000. Since that time over 200 communities across the United States have adopted 10 Year Plans including seven in the metropolitan Washington region: the District of Columbia Frederick County Montgomery County Prince George’s County Alexandria VA Arlington County Falls Church VA Fairfax County and Prince William County.

The report summarizes each jurisdiction’s plan in the order in which they were adopted highlighting key strategies and objectives such as creating and preserving more affordable housing ‘housing first’ and rapid rehousing programs. It also includes shared lessons learned by some of the earliest adopters of the 10 Year Planning process and contributes to our region’s understanding of best practices in not just managing but ending homelessness for all.

Please download the report here.