As part of the FY 2016 budget, it was announced that the federal government’s goal of ending chronic homelessness nationwide has been pushed back one year to 2017. This announcement in no way affects our commitment to helping your community end chronic homelessness in the next two years. As a major sponsor of Zero: 2016, HUD has full hope and confidence that the 71 vanguard communities participating in the initiative will meet the 2016 time frame, and will serve as a proof-point for other communities across the country working toward zero.
By joining Zero: 2016, you made a bold commitment to end veteran homelessness in 2015 and chronic homelessness in 2016. In the past months, you have been joined by your commissioners, mayors and governors in this pledge. Zero: 2016 is a goal we all share, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to providing you with the tools and support needed to help you reach zero in the next two years.
We did not anticipate a surge of new resources when we launched this initiative, and we don’t believe you expected any when you joined it. Federal funding is and has always been outside of our control. On the things we CAN control, however, our commitment to you remains the same: we stand ready to help you do more with less and find homes for as many of your homeless neighbors as possible using the resources you DO have in your community. Let’s get to work.
