(FARGO, ND) – The Fargo-Moorhead Coalition to End Homelessness and United Way of Cass Clay are two organizations that are working to end homelessness in the area.
The two groups came together Friday to share an update on their progress towards a solution.
“What we’re focused on right now is we are thinking about what are the community-wide plans we weant to adopt,” F-M Coalition to End Homelessness Executive Director Chandler Esslinger said. “It’s really focusing on how do we make sure that there are available housing opportunities and that we’re moving folks who are experiencing homelessness into permanent housing.”
Esslinger said that includes people who are unsheltered, who may be camping, and those who are in the shelters. She said it’s a systems-level approach to the symptoms of homelessness.
The Coalition and United Way have outlined 30-, 60- and 90-day proposed objectives to working towards ending the crisis. A small group of stakeholders in the response system are gathering Monday to dig into what the themes of best practices are, Esslinger said.
Taylor Syvertson, United Way of Cass Clay’s Director of Community Impact, says the United Way has been ‘deeply involved’ in the community’s work to prevent homelessness for 10 years.
“We have been investing in programs and partnerships that work and work well,” she said. “Our role is really to respond to community needs and work to lift families out of poverty.”
