Memphis/shelby County: Blueprint To Break the Cycle of Homelessness

In 2001, Memphis and Shelby County served over 7,000 people in emergency shelters and transitional housing. An additional 9,000 people were turned away, mostly because lack of space. This plan suggests maximizing use of mainstream programs, increasing efficiency and coordination of service delivery among service provider organizations; filling gaps in services and housing options for individuals with mental illness and/or chemical dependencies who experience homelessness chronically; improving /increasing efforts to prevent homelessness; improving coordination and increase involvement of the faith community in developing more comprehensive and effective measures to break the cycle of homelessness and prevent future homelessness; leveraging the expertise and resources of the business/corporate community; and addressing remaining structural barriers to break the cycle of homelessness and prevent it in the future.

Publication Date: 
2002