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Chapter 1: Introduction and Plan Development <br />Today, the goal in Alameda County and throughout the Country is to transform the current <br />array of loosely connected programs into a coordinated and comprehensive system of housing <br />and support services to prevent and reduce homelessness. This type of coordinated system has - <br />been named Continuum of Care by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. <br />The Continuum of Care is designed to move homeless people from the streets to appropriate <br />shelter, services and housing programs, and eventually to establish or reestablish them in - <br />permanent housing and assist them in achieving self-sufficiency. Below is the diagram <br />developed by HUD to describe the flow through the Continuum. <br />Continuum of Care <br />Outreach <br />Intake <br />Assessment <br />Permanent <br />Housing <br />Emergency Transitional <br />Shelter Housing <br />Supportive <br />Housing <br /> <br /> Mental Health Substance Abuse , <br /> Job Training Family Support <br /> Independent Education ; <br /> Living Skills H.I.V. <br />As illustrated in the flow char above, a continuum of care begins with a point of entry in which the needs of a <br />homeless individual or family are assessed. In most communities, the intake and assessment component is <br />performed by an emergency shelter or through a separate assessment center. To reach and engage homeless <br />persons living on the street, the homeless service system should include a strong outreach component. <br />Once a needs assessment is complete, the person/family may be referred to permanent housing or to transitional <br />housing where supportive services are provided to prepare them for independent hying. For example, a <br />homeless person with a substance abuse problem may be referred to a transitional rehabilitation program before <br />being assisted with permanent housing. Some individuals, particularly persons with chronic disabilities, may <br />require ongoing supportive services once they move into permanent housing. The goal of the comprehensive <br />homeless service system is to ensure that homeless individuals and families move from homeless to self- <br />sufficiency, housing, and independent living. <br />Alameda County-Wide Homeless Continuum of Care Plan: April 1997 <br />2 - <br />