Homelessness panel seeks public input

The Governor's Interagency Council on Homelessness is seeking the public's input for a plan to address homelessness across Oklahoma.

The council is developing a five-year plan that will lay out the state's priorities for addressing homelessness. As a part of that process, the council is surveying the public on the issue of homelessness, how it's addressed and what obstacles prevent state and local officials from making progress.

Greg Shinn, the council's vice chairman, said the plan would replace a 10-year plan that expires this year. The new plan is meant to bring the state in line with priorities laid out in a plan released earlier this year by the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness.

The federal plan sets a number of ambitious goals, including ending homelessness among veterans, families with children and unaccompanied children, and ending chronic homelessness among those with disabilities.

Shinn, who works as associate director and chief housing officer for Mental Health Association Oklahoma, said Oklahoma's plan will reflect goals put forth in the federal plan while taking into account factors like gaps in state services and data from homeless counts across the state.

The state's previous plan included a number of goals, including expanding the number of resources available to homeless people, improving transportation services and expanding the amount of housing that is affordable to very low-income residents.

Founded in 2004, the 25-member board includes representatives from state and local agencies and nonprofits. The council's role is to support organizations that are working to end and prevent homelessness and strengthen the state's systems for dealing with the issue.

To take the survey, go to gich.ok.gov.