Savannah has had a rich history of developing innovative approaches to address community needs. As a result of an increase in the number of homeless people, the community conceived of the Chatham-Savannah Authority for the Homeless in order to mount a systematic response.

The Georgia Legislature created the Chatham-Savannah Authority for the Homeless in 1989 to accomplish the following:

• Develop a comprehensive plan for public and private agencies to deal effectively with problems of homeless people in Savannah and Chatham County,

• Coordinate, evaluate, and provide administrative services and assistance in implementing the plan,

• Contract with public and private agencies to approve programs and services developed in the plan.

• To offer services, including case management, employment train­ing and referral, and other related services, to homeless persons so long as such services do not duplicate services offered and actually supplied by other existing programs and agencies.

• To provide uniform basic standards & practices for organizations offering services to homeless people through means of a certification process to ensure the integrity and continuity of program delivery.

This unique body was charged with the responsibility of addressing the many issues surrounding the problems of homelessness. The Authority was comprised of representatives from the City of Savannah, Chatham County, the Georgia Department of Labor, the local Board of Education, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (Housing Trust Fund), the Georgia Department of Human Resources, the Housing Authority of Savannah, and eight (8) additional appointees elected by the Authority members which include the homeless.

This Community-based organization fulfills its role through collaborative arrangements and innovative partnerships with providers of services, and advocates, local governments, religious bodies, civic clubs, law enforcement officials, social agencies, volunteer organizations, and other groups with similar goals and objectives. The City planning staff works closely with Authority members and staff to ensure the participation of residents and local merchants in dealing with a broad range of concerns affecting homeless people.

Presently funded by the City of Savannah, the Department of Community Affairs, and other local, state, and federal sources, the organization has instituted a planning process that emphasizes the development of a comprehensive and integrated system of social services based on case management to assist homeless people and those at risk of becoming homeless.

As an umbrella agency responsible for the coordination of services for homeless people in the community, the Authority has established working relationships with each of the social service agencies involved in homeless issues.

When problems surface surrounding homelessness, they are brought to the attention of the Authority by service providers, advocates for homeless people, local government, and homeless people themselves. To resolve the problems or attend to the issue at hand, the Authority marshals resources to respond to needy parties and encourages joint decision-making.

This all-inclusive approach has enabled the Authority to address concerns voiced by many different agencies in the community in a collective manner. As a direct result, the Homeless Continuum of care is viewed by the public as a cohesive unit with individual agencies combining knowledge, skill, and resources for a common purpose.

Shelters and service providers advocate together and pursue joint ventures when gaps in service delivery are identified. Educational forums are held to increase the ability of elected officials to retain funding for Homeless programs and secure monies for new initiatives.

Over the last 10 years the Chatham-Savannah Continuum of Care has developed a wide array of services from an increase in emergency shelter beds, to the development of transitional and permanent housing programs. In addition, many needed supportive services were identified, developed, and successfully implemented. As a result, Savannah has demonstrated a 37% reduction in homelessness over a 10- year period.

Goal 1: Enhance Continuum of Care Program planning, evaluation and design
Over the last decade the Homeless Authority has collected data from providers of services that has provided analysis of need, and lead to the development of several new housing and supportive service programs in the community. In order to become more effective in determining trends and evaluating current services we must design and implement a process that is more efficient.

Goal 2: Increase efficiency and communication with staff and knowledge and participation with the Board
In the last five years, and since the last strategic plan, the organization has grown from 17 employees to now averaging around 80 employees. The organizational budget has also increased four times the size to support this staff. Given the structure of the organization and the public role the organization is designed to fulfill, efficiency of operation and increased participation and knowledge of the Board of Directors will help further the organization’s mission.

Goal 3: Increase knowledge and participation of service providers and the general public
The Homeless Authority has fulfilled its role throughout the decade by demonstrating both leadership and effective planning and coordination. This is evidenced by the reduction of the number of homeless in our community by 37%, and the development of key housing and supportive services programs to address community needs. The organization however will need to take a more visible role in the community with all aspects of homelessness communicating issues to the general public and increasingly partner with other organizations for further reduction of homeless people.

Goal 4: Establish new programs and partnerships to prevent homelessness and reduce recidivism
The Chatham-Savannah Continuum of Care was originally created to address homelessness. Funding over the last decade from federal and state entities concentrated on a narrow definition of homelessness. As a result, grants earmarked for those in need seldom addressed those at-risk, the prevention of homelessness or aftercare. As a result we are the victims of our own success. We have done an excellent job in focusing on the here and now, but have had limited success with either the front door or the back door of homelessness.