‘Opening Doors’ plan targets homelessness

McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON

The Obama administration unveiled an ambitious plan Tuesday that aspires to end homelessness among some of society’s most vulnerable groups within the next decade.

“Opening Doors,” a “Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness,” calls for ending child and family homelessness in 10 years while wiping out chronic homelessness and homelessness among veterans in five years.

According to the 74-page plan, “Stable housing is the foundation upon which people build their lives — absent a safe, decent, affordable place to live, it is next to impossible to achieve good health, positive educational outcomes or reach one’s economic potential.”

The plan is a significant breakthrough because there has never been a comprehensive federal effort to end homelessness with a timeline and measureable goals, said Nan Roman, the president of the National Alliance to End Homelessness.

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