Draft Vision Statements

Our vision is that all adults and children in Connecticut will have the opportunity to live in safe, decent and affordable housing; to access culturally sensitive social, developmental, and health services needed to live productive lives; and to secure income sufficient to support themselves and their families in dignity.

Eradicating family homelessness in Illinois will require services that strengthen the capacities of families to acquire and manage housing, as well as to prevent crisis situations that lead to homelessness. It will also require a sufficient supply of affordable rental and owner-occupied housing. The services must be community-based, comprehensive, preventive, and competent in working with whole families. The services must also be linked with a continuum of housing providers in the private, government and nonprofit arenas who can match family strengths and needs with particular types of housing. The State of Illinois will work with local partners to develop an outcome-driven policy strategy aimed at creating an accessible and effective service system for homeless families, as well as a sufficient supply of good quality, affordable housing. Sub-area approaches compatible with balanced growth policies and tailored for diverse rural and urban settings will be formulated within a statewide policy.

We envision statewide systems and policies that forge partnerships among state agencies allowing communities to create local solutions that ensure homeless families have access to mainstream services.

We envision a Maryland where residents experience homelessness rarely and only for brief periods of time.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

1. All Marylanders have access to:
   · Housing opportunities;
   · Adequate income;
   · Comprehensive health services;
   · Quality education; and
   · Supportive services
2. All homeless individuals and families have access to mainstream services, as well as services designed to end the condition of homelessness.
3. Resources are used effectively and efficiently through integration of services and through collaboration among state and local governments, civic agencies, the faith community, consumers, and advocates.
4. Marylanders seeking services are treated with dignity and actively participate in the decisions affecting their lives.
5. Education and outreach are key to increasing community awareness and accountability.

WE ENVISION A STATE WHERE:

• The causes and challenges of homelessness are understood by all;
• Government and private programs work together to encourage, facilitate and sufficiently fund comprehensive, collaborative and humane services;
• A seamless continuum of services tailored to the needs of each individual is easily accessible;
• Personal and familial responsibility, stability and self-sufficiency are attainable; and
• Everyone has stable, safe, sanitary and affordable housing.

New Jersey's vision is that every family has access to safe, decent, and affordable housing with comprehensive services and supports that are delivered in a seamless fashion which promotes self-sufficiency, autonomy, and well-being.

Oregon's children, youth and families are at home in their communities; safe,
warm, well nourished, active, learning, and physically, emotionally and
economically healthy.

No family with children will be homeless. All families will have a safe and nurturing home. Families will have access to community-based, culturally relevant services and affordable housing. We as the community are the solution and pledge to work together collaboratively to meet these goals.